Aussies are just realising why sushi soy sauce is shaped like a fish

The true purpose has nothing to do with the soy sauce itself... but people have slammed it for being 'unhygienic' and 'disgusting'. 

If you're like me and are an avid sushi eater, you've probably used those tiny fish-shaped soy sauce packets a million times.

Whether you use the 'mouth' to poke holes in the side of your sushi and distribute the soy sauce throughout the roll, or simply squirt some into the top - everyone has their go-to method.

But now, a TikToker has revealed the true purpose behind the fish-shaped packet - and it has absolutely nothing to do with the soy sauce itself. 

Get ready to take your sushi game to a whole new level. 

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Image: TikTok / Reddit

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The reason behind the fish-shaped packaging

Influencer and Melbourne foodie, @yiannavel took to her account to share her mind-blowing revelation.

"I was today-years-old when I realised that the fishtail on a soy sauce packet is actually used to scoop up wasabi and put it on your sushi," she says as she demonstrates the hack.

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"I don't know how I know this as I've been eating sushi for 25 years!" she adds, before urging her followers to try it out for themselves.

She captioned the clip, "Am I the only person that didn't know this?"

Image: TikTok

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"It's just a coincidence"

Down in the comments, users gave their two cents on the theory.

"It's just a coincidence," one person claimed. "Also, that dirty packet has been handled by so many people before you."

Another emphasised, "NO IT'S NOT, you're supposed to use chopsticks," but Yianna replied, "Too much double dipping."

"Enjoy those microplastics in your food, it's not actually meant for that," commented a third. 

Someone then slammed, "THAT'S DISGUSTING AND ABSOLUTELY UNHYGEINIC."

"Has COVID taught us nothing about hygiene? Everyone's fingers have touched that package," responded a different user. 

"What's with everyone finding a new use for something and then thinking that's what it's intended for?" said someone asked. 

Then one user insisted, "At least clean the packet first."

"I always do this"

But not everyone so passionately condemned the trick. 

Someone else replied, "No it's not intended for this, but it's still cute and a novelty!"

"I always do this and thought I came up with it!" replied another woman.

"Thank you! I will use this for my truckload of mayo," vowed someone else. 

This article was originally published in October 2023 and was updated in May 2024. 

Originally published as Aussies are just realising why sushi soy sauce is shaped like a fish