Easy Ways to Open a Revolving Sushi Plate on a Conveyor Belt

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Plus, what to do with your plates when you’re finished eating

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: December 30, 2025 Fact Checked

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Two-Handed Method

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One-Handed Method

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Ordering Additional Items

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Disposing Sushi Plates

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Video

At revolving sushi restaurants like Kura Sushi, food travels down the conveyor belt in dome-shaped containers. These smart containers do more than just cover the food—they also track how long each plate has been on the conveyor belt. And while they might seem a little tricky at first, we’re here to show you exactly how it’s done. Try the two-handed method first, but once you get the hang of that, level up to opening the domes one-handed to look like a revolving sushi pro!

How do you open revolving sushi plates?

To open a revolving sushi plate, lift up on the plate with one hand and push down on the bottom of the container with the other. If the dome doesn’t open, twist the plate slightly so one side is higher than the other until the dome pops up. Lift the plate out of the container and set it on the table.

Section 1 of 4:

Two-Handed Method to Open Revolving Plates

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Grasp the plate with one hand and the container with the other. When a plate comes by that you want to try, reach out with one hand and grab the rim of the plate. Lift the plate upward, and at the same time, use your other hand to press down on the bottom of the container, beneath the plate. The dome should pop open, and you can lift out the plate and put it on the table.
- If the dome still doesn’t open, gently twist the plate so one side is a little higher than the other. This will put pressure on the bottom of the container.
- Don’t try to pull up on the dome—it doesn’t work.
- Some restaurants may have a button labelled “Push” in the bottom center of the dome container. If you see that, push the button with one hand while pulling the plate with the other.

Section 2 of 4:

One-Handed Method to Open Revolving Plates

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Use your index and middle fingers to open the dome. Slide your first two fingers under the plate. Press upward on the bottom of the plate with your index finger. At the same time, push down on the container with your middle finger.
- When the dome pops up, use your thumb, index finger, and middle finger to lift the plate out of the container.
- If you can nail this method, you’ll make opening rotating sushi plates look effortless!

Section 3 of 4:

Ordering Additional Items

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Use the provided tablet to order extra items. While you’re eating, scroll through the menu on the tablet. You can use this tablet to order drinks, specialty rolls, and extras like ramen, soup, tempura, or dessert. Ordered food will arrive on a special “fast-track” conveyor belt, or it might be brought to you by your server.^{[1]
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- The items will be added to your total at the end of the meal.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Dispose Sushi Plates

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Insert your empty plates into the plate dispenser slot. Once you finish a sushi roll, drop it into the Plate Slot at your table. This will carry them down a chute to the kitchen for cleaning. Each plate will also be scanned when you insert it, and your total bill will be calculated based on the plates you insert. Note: The plates are typically color-coded based on price.^{[2]
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- Only put empty plates into the slot. If you don’t finish something, leave it on your table so the staff can clear away the uneaten food.^{[3]
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- Never put plates back onto the conveyor belt.
- Kura Sushi offers diners the option to play “Bikkura Pon.” If you choose to play, the screen above your table will play a short video clip when you insert 5 or 10 plates. If you insert 15 plates, you’ll get a small prize, like a charm.
- Some revolving sushi don’t have plate slots. Instead, you just stack your plates on the table, and the server will use them to calculate your final bill.^{[4]
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