Best Sushi for Beginners — What to Order & How to Start

The biggest mistake sushi beginners make is assuming they have to eat raw fish to have a "real" sushi experience. That's not true. Sushi refers to the vinegared rice preparation — not the raw fish. Some of the most popular rolls at any restaurant, including ours, are fully cooked.

Start with what you're comfortable with, explore gradually, and don't let anyone pressure you into raw fish before you're ready. If you need a starting framework, our guide to the difference between nigiri, sashimi, and rolls is the clearest primer available.

These rolls are all cooked, accessible in flavor, and popular with first-timers and regulars alike. They're the perfect starting point at any Sushi Brokers location — Scottsdale, Arcadia, or Gilbert.

When you're ready to try raw fish, start mild. Salmon (sake) is the most approachable raw fish for most people — rich in healthy fats, mild in flavor, creamy in texture. A Spicy Salmon roll or the Hawaiian Roll (topped with fresh salmon) is an ideal first raw fish experience.

Once you're comfortable with salmon, move to yellowtail (hamachi) — a clean, slightly buttery flavor. Tuna (maguro) is next — lean, mild, versatile. Understanding what goes into fresh, high-quality sushi helps too — our guide to sushi quality explains what separates fresh fish from mediocre.

You don't need sake to enjoy sushi. A cold Japanese beer (Sapporo, Asahi) pairs well with anything. Green tea is traditional and cleanses the palate between rolls. Sake ranges from dry and clean to sweet and complex — ask your server for a recommendation based on what you're eating.

During Sushi Brokers happy hour, all bottled bombers, wines by the glass, and specialty drinks are discounted — a great opportunity to explore pairing options without committing to full pricing.

A standard meal at Sushi Brokers is 2–3 rolls per person, plus a starter if desired. Start with 2 rolls — one cooked, one you're curious about — and add more from there. Our portion sizes are above average for the price point, so don't over-order on your first visit.

The California Roll is the most common starting point — krab, cucumber, avocado, no raw fish. But it's not a destination; it's a launchpad. Here's a natural progression from California Roll to more adventurous sushi, one step at a time:

• Step 1 — Shrimp Tempura Roll ($12): Same idea as California but with crispy tempura shrimp added. Still fully cooked, more texture and flavor.
• Step 2 — Las Vegas Roll ($20): Tempura fried with cream cheese and eel sauce. Rich, sweet, still cooked — a bigger flavor step.
• Step 3 — Rainbow Roll ($19): California roll base topped with thin slices of raw tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and shrimp. Your first taste of raw fish, but in small, manageable pieces on a familiar base.
• Step 4 — Spicy Salmon Roll ($11): Your first all-raw roll. The spice masks the rawness, and salmon is the mildest raw fish for most people.
• Step 5 — Cowboy Roll ($19): Spicy tuna inside, fresh tuna on top with sriracha and spicy mayo. A full specialty roll with raw fish — the most-ordered roll at Sushi Brokers.

You don't need to move through all five steps in one visit. Take your time. If you stop at Step 2 and never eat raw fish, that's completely fine — see our cooked sushi guide for the full list of rolls you can enjoy permanently without raw fish.

If you are specifically looking for where to go in Scottsdale as a first-time sushi diner, Sushi Brokers' North Scottsdale location is set up for it — clear cooked options, happy hour for sampling, and staff who guide beginners. See our Scottsdale beginner dining guide for the address, hours, and what to expect on a first visit.