Nobu’s first ever female head chef reveals the sushi faux pas you’ve been making

A world-renowned sushi master has revealed the correct way to eat sushi – and she said you should avoid using chopsticks and never dip the rice into wasabi.

Eleni Manousou, Nobu’s first female head chef, who runs celeb hotspot Nobu Marbella,  has revealed the correct way to eat the cuisine, as well as the faux-pas that you should never commit.

The Greek-raised chef, who now lives in Marbella where she runs the Japanese restaurant and celeb hotshot which is owned by Robert de Niro and Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa recommended that diners pick up sushi with their hands rather than use chopsticks. 

Speaking to FEMAIL onsite at Nobu Marbella, the chef said: ‘In my opinion, you need to eat sushi with your hands. It needs to be fast – as soon as the sushi is served, you want to eat it. 

Eleni Manousou, Nobu’s first female head chef, who runs celeb hotspot Nobu Marbella, has revealed the correct way to eat sushi, as well as the faux-pas that you should never commit

‘I dip the fish side into the soy sauce and to eat it upside down -with the fish to be touching my tongue.   

She also revealed that she never wants to pair wasabi with sushi, as it overpowers the flavour of fish.

‘I’d advise pairing sushi with soy sauce, but only a small amount. 

‘I have seen people dip/submerge their sushi in soy sauce – which is wrong – they’ll miss the harmonious taste of the fish and the rice. 

‘Each person has their own way to eat sushi. My way is little soy sauce. No wasabi inside, I prefer the fresh wasabi than the classic powder mixing wasabi.

Chef Eleni is celebrating her 10 year anniversary with Nobu, by launching a new limited edition dishes inspired by Marbella’s local produce. 

Chef Eleni is celebrating her 10 year anniversary with Nobu, by launching a new limited edition dishes inspired by Marbella's local produce. Pictured is a platter from her restautant

Chef Eleni is celebrating her 10 year anniversary with Nobu, by launching a new limited edition dishes inspired by Marbella’s local produce. Pictured is a platter from her restautant

Like all Nobu chefs, Eleni was personally trained by Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, and her restaurant is inside one of the chain’s 13 Nobu hotels.

‘He allows us to put our personal touch in the food, so each location he also learns something new, which he then teaches in the next location,’

‘We need to be very focused with regards to the signature dishes, the standard of Nobu, but apart from that, he gives us creative freedom with all the dishes.  

The restaurant, which is also part of the bigger Puente Romano resort, focuses on using Andalusia cuisine.

The hotel, dubbed ‘the sexiest in Europe’ is a big celeb hot spot, with the glamour, glitz and grown-up vibe of Marbella as well as an array of fine dining establishments.

Like all Nobu chefs, Eleni was personally trained by Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. The restaurant, which sits in the Nobu section of the Puente Romano hotel, focuses on using Andalusia cuisine.

Like all Nobu chefs, Eleni was personally trained by Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. The restaurant, which sits in the Nobu section of the Puente Romano hotel, focuses on using Andalusia cuisine.

As Andalusia is a European leader in organic produce and tropical fruit production Eleni goes to the markets herself in the mornings to choose the best catch of the day and based on that, will then decide the special dish for the day. 

This year she opened Nobu on the beach – a new outlet so guest can experience Nobu Marbella in a more relaxed way than the restaurant – with bento boxes or fresh sushi can be enjoyed pool or beachside. 

‘There are a combination of things that makes Nobu different: quality of product, freshness of product, the knowledge and the service that you can get from our waiters, the searing concept, the customised menus, and most importantly that we cook and served with ‘KOKORO’ that means from the heart.   

Pictured: Marinated Octopus karaage style with pimiento Padrón topped with onion and coriander and jalapeño dressing¿.One of Eleni's specialities

Pictured: Marinated Octopus karaage style with pimiento Padrón topped with onion and coriander and jalapeño dressing’.One of Eleni’s specialities 

Her recommendation for sushi fans wanting to try fine dining is her Chilean Seabass Jalapeno. 

‘The dish features pan seared seabass with olive oil and is serving with a jalapeno dressing and fresh lime that you need to squeeze on top. 

‘My recommendation for first time guests are the classic dishes Yellowtail Jalapeno sashimi, Sushi, Black cod den miso, Rock shrimp tempura. 

‘As for repeating guests, I’d suggest they ask the waiter for the recommend dish of the day or I would create a menu based on preference. 

Roger Federer, Lewis Burton, Sam Thompson, and Love Island’s Zara McDermott have all been spotted on the resort recently.

While the Kardashains, Justin and Hayley Bieber and Paris Hilton are regularly spotted at the international restaurants. 

With celebs flocking there in their masses, Eleni’s restaurant is a place to be spotted in the Costa Del Sol.

Guests at the resort are checked in with a glass of champagne, and stay among stunning white-Mediterranean terraces and mountain views.

It sits on a sea front of a stunning white promenade that connects the Andalusian coast, also known as Spain’s ‘Golden Mile’.

The resort has more than 11 restaurants, including the  three Michelin star BiBo Dani García, as well as Italian hotspot Serafina and cool relaxed cafe Rachel’s Eco Love, where guests can enjoy trendy plant bowls and smoothies.

Elsewhere, there’s a state of the art tennis club and fitness centre and three pools, where guests can enjoy a poolside service and stunning views as well as relaxing in the minimalist rooms with subtle Japanese influences or the Six Senses Spa.

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