Why Pickled Ginger Matters: Not Just a Decoration

When enjoying a beautifully crafted plate of kosher sushi at a high-quality restaurant, it’s easy to focus on the star of the show—your rolls. Whether it’s spicy tuna, salmon avocado, or crispy cucumber, the flavors shine. But there’s one component often underestimated or ignored: the delicate slices of pickled ginger nestled beside your wasabi and soy sauce.

At first glance, it may seem like nothing more than a colorful garnish. In reality, pickled ginger—also known as gari in Japanese—is a crucial part of the traditional sushi experience. Especially in Japanese cuisine, where balance and intention matter, gari plays a quiet but essential role.

More Than Just a Pretty Side: What Is Pickled Ginger?

Pickled ginger is made by thinly slicing young ginger root and marinating it in a solution of rice vinegar, salt, and sugar. This process softens the ginger and gives it a subtle sweet-tart taste. The young ginger used is tender and slightly pink when pickled, which gives it the familiar pastel hue.

In Brooklyn restaurants like ours, we ensure that the pickling ingredients are fully kosher-certified, and the ginger is prepared in a separate area according to halachic standards.

The Purpose: Cleansing Your Palate

The primary role of pickled ginger is as a palate cleanser. When you’re eating a variety of sushi rolls, your taste buds can become overwhelmed or dulled. Ginger acts like a gentle reset button. It helps remove lingering flavors between bites, allowing you to appreciate each roll as it’s meant to be tasted.

This is especially useful when enjoying different types of rolls in one sitting—say, moving from a spicy tuna roll to a lighter cucumber avocado maki. Without pickled ginger, the spice or umami from the first bite might overpower the delicate notes of the next one.

Why It Belongs in Every Kosher Sushi Meal

At Jersey Shore Sushi Co., we include pickled ginger with every sushi order, whether it’s dine-in, takeout, or kosher delivery through Uber Eats or Toast. Here’s why we believe it’s essential:

 

Health Benefits

• Natural antibacterial properties—especially helpful when enjoying raw fish (even though most of our rolls are cooked or parve)

• Helps with digestion and prevents bloating

• May reduce nausea and boost your immune system

 

Flavor Balance

• Light and tangy, it provides contrast to rich sauces and savory rolls

• Helps temper bold ingredients like garlic mayo, spicy sauce, or eel glaze

• A perfect match for Asian kosher food, where clean, layered flavors are key

Cultural Etiquette: How to Use Pickled Ginger Properly

Learning to use pickled ginger the traditional way adds to your sushi experience. Here are a few etiquette tips often practiced in Japanese dining and adapted for kosher Japanese cuisine:

• Use it between bites, not on top of sushi—its job is to refresh, not to flavor the roll itself

• Don’t dip it in soy sauce or mix it with wasabi. Let the clean taste do its work

• Use chopsticks or your fingers to pick up a slice gently between different types of rolls

Pickled Ginger & Kosher Sushi Go Hand-in-Hand

Some of our guests ask if they can skip the ginger. Technically, yes—but you’re missing out. It’s like skipping the intermission in a play: you can still enjoy the performance, but you’ll appreciate each act more if you give yourself a moment to reset.

Pickled ginger helps you experience the full spectrum of kosher sushi flavors. It’s not there by accident—it’s part of a centuries-old tradition that respects the integrity of each ingredient.

Our Promise at Jersey Shore Sushi Co.

We’re more than a restaurant—we’re a team of passionate chefs, mashgichim, and sushi lovers committed to giving you the best kosher sushi Brooklyn has to offer. That means authentic flavor, certified ingredients, and thoughtful details like premium pickled ginger with every order.

Whether you’re ordering online or dining in, every element on your plate has a purpose—including that gentle, pink slice of ginger.

Want to Taste Sushi the Right Way?

Come visit our Brooklyn or Jersey Shore locations—or order kosher sushi with delivery options available daily.