【Reading】あがり

【English Name】Japanese tea

'Agari' is an industry term (jargon) used at sushi restaurants, meaning tea. It can be said to be one of the most widely known sushi terms that ordinary customers hear at the counter.

There are various theories about its etymology, but it is said to derive from the geisha world, where the 'tea served last' was called 'agari-bana.' With the nuance of 'agari' = finishing or concluding, it came to refer to the tea served at the end of a meal.

The 'agari' served at sushi restaurants is generally powdered tea (konacha) or coarse tea (bancha) brewed strong with hot water. It serves the role of refreshing the mouth after eating fatty toppings, functioning as a palate cleanser to fully enjoy the flavor of the next topping. Large teacups are often used, which is also said to be a practical device to reduce the trouble of the chef having to refill the tea frequently.

Note that there is also a view that 'agari' was originally the restaurant side's jargon and not a word to be used by customers. Knowing it as part of conduct at a sushi restaurant will let you more deeply enjoy a meal at the counter.