Welcome to Japan TV Highlights, where popular rankings from Japanese television offer a fascinating glimpse into everyday life and consumer trends in Japan.
Most of the rankings featured in this series are based on results presented on Japanese TV programs.
A recent Japanese TV show revealed the top 10 menu items most frequently ordered by foreign visitors at Sushiro, one of Japan’s most popular conveyor-belt sushi chains.
The results were surprisingly different from the preferences of Japanese customers.
Let’s take a look.
Foreign Visitors’ Top 10 Favorite Sushiro Menu Items
A recent Japanese TV show revealed the menu items most frequently chosen by foreign visitors at Sushiro.
Here are the Top 10 results.
The program also featured comments from international visitors, offering insights into why these dishes are so popular.
#1 Salmon
Ranked No. 1 among foreign visitors and No. 3 among Japanese customers, salmon is loved for its rich flavor, soft texture, and excellent balance with sushi rice. (Price:¥120–¥150*)
“We have salmon in Germany too, but Japanese salmon is much softer and tastes better.” — Visitor from Germany
“The texture is incredibly soft. It almost melts in your mouth.” — Visitor from South Korea
#2 Shrimp Tempura Sushi
Freshly fried to order, this item ranked No. 2 among foreign visitors and No. 4 among Japanese customers. Its crispy texture and sweet sauce topping have made it a favorite among international guests. (Price:¥140–¥170*)
“I wanted to try it because you can enjoy tempura and sushi at the same time. It’s also very affordable.” — Visitor from Argentina
“It’s incredibly crispy—I’ve never had this kind of texture before. It reminds me of fish and chips in the UK.” — Visitor from Uzbekistan
#3 Premium Tuna Red Meat Sushi
Made with carefully selected wild-caught tuna sourced from around the world, this menu item ranked No. 3 among foreign visitors. It is also the No. 1 favorite among Japanese customers. (Price:¥120–¥150*)
“It has a natural sweetness and tastes amazing. It’s nothing like the tuna we eat in Canada.” — Visitor from Canada
“In the U.S., tuna is usually cooked or fried. You have to go to an expensive restaurant to get raw tuna like this.” — Visitor from the United States
“In Spain, a plate like this would cost around ¥1,000.” — Visitor from Spain
#4 Seared Salmon w/Cheese & Mayo
This rich and flavorful sushi combines fatty salmon with cheese and Sushiro’s special mayonnaise sauce, then lightly sears the surface to bring out a savory aroma. (Price:¥200–¥230*)
It ranked No. 4 among foreign visitors and No. 9 among Japanese customers.
“The lightly seared flavor made it really delicious.” — Visitor from Russia
“Americans tend to enjoy rich foods. Fatty salmon, mayonnaise, and strong flavors like this are very appealing to us.” — Visitor from the United States
“We don’t usually put cheese on sushi in the UK, but it was delicious. About half of the plates I ate were this salmon with cheese and mayo.” — Visitor from the United Kingdom
#5 Tempura Platter (Shrimp Tempura)
Unlike the previous menu items, this side dish did not make the Top 10 among Japanese customers. However, it ranked No. 5 among foreign visitors.
The platter includes two shrimp tempura, okra, sweet potato, and squid. Each item is fried to order in the restaurant, creating a crispy texture that has made it a popular choice. (Price:¥380–¥410*)
#6 Seared Salmon w/Basil Mayo Cheese
Featuring a combination of basil sauce and mayonnaise prepared fresh in the restaurant each day, this unique salmon sushi ranked No. 6 among foreign visitors. It did not make the Top 10 among Japanese customers. (Price:¥200–¥230*)
“I’ve never tasted basil-flavored salmon before. It tastes like something a king would eat.” — Child Visitor from Uzbekistan
“The taste, the aroma, and the sauce were all perfect.” — Visitor from Canada
#7 Salmon Avocado & Onion
This combination of salmon and avocado ranked No. 7 among foreign visitors. (Price:¥180–¥210*)
While it did not make the Japanese Top 10, a similar item, Shrimp Avocado, ranked No. 6 among Japanese customers.
“In North America, sushi rolls are more common, and avocado is very popular. But I’ve never seen a sushi like this before.” — Visitor from Canada
“My child likes avocado, salmon, and rice, so we decided to order it.” — Visitor from Germany
#8 Premium Fatty Tuna (Otoro)
This premium cut of fatty tuna ranked No. 8 among foreign visitors, despite not making the Japanese Top 10.
Known for its rich marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, otoro is often considered one of the most luxurious cuts of tuna. (Price:¥360–¥390*)
“It’s incredibly rich and delicious.” — Visitor from the United States
“The moment it enters your mouth, it melts like butter.” — Visitor from the United States
“It’s like eating Kobe beef.” — Visitor from Germany
#9 Premium Medium Fatty Tuna (Chutoro)
Made from carefully selected tuna and sliced in-store, this premium cut is thawed in salt water at a temperature close to that of the human body to help preserve its natural flavor and texture.
It ranked No. 9 among foreign visitors but did not make the Japanese Top 10. (Price:¥180–¥210*)
“It was juicier and more tender than regular tuna. It’s amazing that you can enjoy such fresh chutoro in Japan.” — Visitor from South Korea
#10 Grilled Eel (Unagi Kabayaki)
This popular item features eel grilled with Sushiro’s special sauce, which is repeatedly brushed on and grilled to create a rich, savory flavor.
It ranked No. 10 among foreign visitors but did not make the Japanese Top 10. According to the TV program, it was popular across a wide range of visitors. (Price:¥180–¥210*)
“Eel is considered quite an unusual food in the UK, so it felt very interesting to try it.” — Visitor from the United Kingdom
“The grilled flavor was really delicious.” — Visitor from Australia
* Prices were recorded at the time of the TV program’s visit and may vary by location. Prices tend to be slightly higher at some stores in major metropolitan areas, including Tokyo.
Japanese Customers’ Top 10 Favorite Sushiro Menu Items
For comparison, here are the menu items most popular among Japanese customers.
| Rank | Menu Item | Price* |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Premium Tuna Red Meat Sushi | ¥120–¥150 |
| #2 | Fresh Yellowtail (Hamachi) | ¥160–¥190 |
| #3 | Salmon | ¥120–¥150 |
| #4 | Shrimp Tempura Sushi | ¥140–¥170 |
| #5 | Negi-Tuna Gunkan | ¥120–¥150 |
| #6 | Shrimp Avocado | ¥140–¥170 |
| #7 | Shrimp | ¥120–¥150 |
| #8 | Chawanmushi (Savory Egg Custard) | ¥240–¥270 |
| #9 | Seared Salmon w/Cheese & Mayo | ¥200–¥230 |
| #10 | Japanese Egg Omelet (Tamago) | ¥120–¥150 |
* Prices were recorded at the time of the TV program’s visit and may vary by location.
A Few Highlights
Fresh Yellowtail (Hamachi) ranked #2. According to the program, the fish is delivered to stores without ever being frozen, helping preserve its freshness.
Shrimp Avocado, ranked #6, was originally developed by Sushiro after experimenting with ingredients that pair well with avocado.
Tamago (Japanese egg omelet), ranked #10, is known for its fluffy texture and slightly sweet flavor designed to complement sushi rice.
What Makes Foreign Visitors’ Choices Different?
While these rankings don’t tell the whole story, a few interesting patterns stand out.
1. Familiar ingredients may feel more approachable.
Salmon appeared four times in the foreign visitors’ Top 10, often paired with ingredients such as cheese, mayonnaise, basil, or avocado. These flavors may feel familiar to many international visitors, making them an easy introduction to Japanese sushi.
2. Tempura seems to be popular as well.
Two tempura-based items made the foreign visitors’ Top 10: Shrimp Tempura Sushi (#2) and the Tempura Platter (#5). This suggests that many visitors are interested not only in sushi itself but also in other well-known Japanese dishes.
3. Visitors seem eager to try foods that are expensive or difficult to find at home.
Comments about tuna, chutoro, otoro, and eel suggest that many visitors view these items as special treats. In some countries, high-quality raw tuna can be difficult to find or much more expensive than it is in Japan.
4. Travelers may be willing to spend a little more.
Based on the prices shown in the TV program, the average price range of the foreign visitors’ Top 10 was approximately ¥206–¥236 per plate, compared with ¥148–¥178 for the Japanese Top 10.
Of course, many factors could influence the rankings. However, one possible explanation is that visitors are more willing to spend a little extra on unique food experiences during their trip to Japan.
Other Notable Menu Items
Several other menu items also appeared in the TV program’s ranking but did not make the Top 10.
- #11 Japanese Egg Omelet (Tamago)
- #12 French Fries
- #14 Yellowtail (Hamachi)
- #15 Red Sea Bream (Madai)
- #20 Shrimp
- #25 Hamburger Patty Nigiri — a nigiri-style sushi topped with a seasoned hamburger patty.
- #26 Shrimp Tempura Udon
Final Thoughts
While there were some clear differences between the two rankings, both Japanese customers and foreign visitors shared a love for fresh, affordable sushi.
At the same time, the results reveal how visitors often combine familiar flavors with uniquely Japanese food experiences. From salmon and tempura to premium tuna and eel, the rankings offer an interesting glimpse into how people from around the world enjoy sushi in Japan.
Which of these menu items would you most like to try?
Source:
This article is based on rankings and information introduced on “Cho Chosa Tuesday” (Fuji TV), broadcast on June 16, 2026.
Official website (Japanese only):
https://www.fujitv.co.jp/chochousa_tuesday/
Sushiro official website (English):
