| 100% | UNAGI | 5 | 34-Across, to a sushi chef |
| 76% | TORO | 4 | Fatty tuna, to a sushi chef |
| 73% | EEL | 3 | Anago or unagi, to a sushi chef |
| 69% | COMPLIMENTSFORFISH | 18 | What a sushi chef loves to hear? |
| 59% | SEA | 3 | Home to a 34-Across |
| 58% | ROE | 3 | Eggs used by a sushi chef |
| 58% | NORI | 4 | Sheets used by a sushi chef |
| 52% | LEANMEAT | 8 | Emu, e.g., to a chef |
| 52% | GARNI | 5 | Adorned, to a chef |
| 52% | YUM | 3 | Compliment to a chef |
| 51% | IHEAR | 5 | Intro to a 68 Across |
| 51% | RIO | 3 | River, to a 20 Across |
| 50% | MORNINGAFTER | 12 | Hangover ... and a hint to 20-, 34- and 41-Across |
| 50% | MMM | 3 | Music to a chef's ears |
| 50% | PPS | 3 | Second addendum to a letter ... and a hint to 18-, 34-, 44- and 62-across |
| 50% | AGELESS | 7 | Eternal ... and a hint to 19-, 34-, 42- and 55-Across |
| 50% | HEROSANDWICH | 12 | Sub ... or a literal hint to 20-, 34- and 43-Across |
| 49% | ALA | 3 | Lead-in to a chef's name |
| 49% | UGHS | 4 | Not music to a chef's ears |
| 49% | ALA | 3 | In the style of, to a chef |
| 49% | THETWIST | 8 | 34-Across song that went to #1 twice and launched a huge dance craze: 2 wds. |
| 49% | CESTSIBON | 9 | Compliment to a French chef |
| 49% | BAIT | 4 | Sushi, to a redneck |
| 49% | WOMENOFLETTERS | 14 | Female scholars ... or a hint to 19-, 28-, 34- and 42-Across |
| 48% | REED | 4 | Used in 13 Across to produce a tone |
| 48% | WHATSTHEBATTER | 14 | Idle question to a bakery chef? |
| 48% | YEAROFTHEMONKEY | 15 | 2004 ... with a hint to the starts of 20-, 34- and 51-Across |
| 48% | NOGO | 4 | Canceled ... or a hint to answering 17-, 27-, 34-, 45- and 57-Across |
| 48% | ILLGOFIRST | 10 | Trailblazer's declaration ... or a hint to 17-, 19-, 34- and 51-Across |
| 48% | PLACECARDS | 10 | Wedding table indicators, or a hint to 17-, 23-, 34- and 44-Across |