【Reading】じか

【English Name】Current price / Market value / Market price

"Jika" (market price), which appears on restaurant menus, refers to a method of determining the price by linking it to the daily purchasing market rate rather than fixing the charge.

The market trading price of high-grade fresh ingredients, especially wild seafood, changes daily depending on the catch volume and season. For toppings whose price cannot be set in advance, the system of serving them at a charge that reflects the day's cost is the "jika" notation.

This practice is most firmly established at sushi restaurants, where it is widely adopted for toppings with large market fluctuations, such as wild tuna and seasonal white-fleshed fish.

The method of checking the price differs by establishment; in some cases one can ask the chef directly before ordering, while in others the amount per piece is not revealed until the bill is settled.

The same system exists at overseas restaurants as well, where English menus display it as "market price." If you are visiting a sushi restaurant for the first time, it is best to feel free to ask the price of market-price items before ordering.