: Re: How similar can I make fictional and real cultures? If I use certain elements of a culture or language, how different should they be compared to the original? How different should the language

Can I use a culture specific dish like sushi and call it sushi to describe the cuisine of my fictional culture?
Yes, because you are framing it in terms the reader will understand and respond to. This, in turn, helps the reader (s?) immerse themselves in the story.

Nothing can prevent you from doing that. You are the author, and the paper (or the computer screen) will tolerate anything you scribble on it. The reaction to your choice of words, however, really depends on the reader.
If I would stumble upon something like that I would be tempted to put the book down. For me, it stabs the suspension of disbelief right in the gut.
If your story depends on calling a piece of raw fish, wrapped in steamed rice and seaweed leaf, nothing else, but sushi, it should be set in our world. Then your characters, dressed in burkas and ushankas can drink tequila and vodka and eat pizza and curry while hunting buffalos, wielding machetes, firing Kalashnikovs, and drive Camaros and Corvettes.

If you a relating it back to something familiar for the reader/protagonist then you can always describe it initially as "sushi-like"

Oh, this is even a better way to kill all joy of immersing oneself into a secondary world. Not only you confess (in writing) that you are unable to describe the food in focus of your story (ahem, a piece of raw fish, wrapped in steamed rice and seaweed leaf?) which is apparently very important for your settings, you also immediately introduce yourself as a narrator from the modern Earth.
But, once again, this is your story.

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: Re: How similar can I make fictional and real cultures? If I use certain elements of a culture or language, how different should they be compared to the original? How different should the language

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