Types of sushi and how to combine them with other ingredients are a concern for the foodie.
Food is a quintessential passenger in anyone’s life. During the good times and the bad. For existence and for pleasure. To tantalize and to comfort. It’s a special kind of omnipresence.
Around the world, there are many kinds of cuisine, that use different condiments and veggies, sauces, and techniques, each more unique and seductive than the other.
And none is more mouthwatering than Japanese sushi. A delicacy par excellence! Not just food for the stomach, but also food for thought and soul.
If you have finished a sushi platter and still felt the lingering craving, you know what I am talking about. And if you are a sushi newbie, then it’s time to open yourself to the experience of a lifetime. It is sushi time people!
1. What is Sushi?
Everyone knows that Sushi is a Japanese food delicacy made up of cooked rice and other ingredients like vegetables, fruits, and seafood.
It is often also associated with the treatment of raw fish. Sushi can be combined with other ingredients or eaten like this. It may also be rendered into rolls. It’s truly a variety king!
2. The Basics of Sushi Varieties in Japan
2.1. Nigiri Sushi
Nigirizushi or Nigiri sushi is one of the most common and traditional types of Sushi found worldwide. The meaning of the word nigiri is itself hand-pressed, referring to how this type of sushi is made.
In general, Nigiri is a type of pressed sushi served in a molded rectangle of rice with pieces of fish and shrimp placed on top of it.
Some common types of Nigiri sushi include ahi (tuna), sake (salmon), and ebi (shrimp).
Nigiri sushi is usually served in pairs in most restaurants.
2.2. Sashimi
Sashimi is different from other types of Sushi, as it involves only meat and fish ingredients.
Some common types of sashimi include ahi (tuna), hamachi (raw yellow trail), and sake (salmon). Though it may look simple, it takes many years of learning for sushi chefs to master the sashimi cutting technique.
Usually, appetizer sashimi is served with 9 pieces, and an entrée consists of around 16-20 pieces though it may vary according to the restaurant.
Sashimi also has a higher calorie count than compared to Nigiri sushi.
2.3. Maki
Maki is a type of rolled sushi where fish, vegetables, and other ingredients are rolled along with rice wrapped neatly with seaweed outside.
Maki sushi is also made available in different versions, such as hosomaki, futomaki, temakizushi, and uramaki. Each version has a unique version of itself and comes in different sizes along with different side dishes.
2.4. Uramaki
Uramaki is a similar type of sushi to Maki, except that it is inside out where the seaweed is on the outside and rice on the inside.
Usually called western-style sushi, uramaki can pretty much consist of any ingredient. Dragon roll, spider Roll, and rainbow roll are some of the common types of uramaki sushi.
2.5. Temaki
Temaki is a type of sushi that is cone-shaped. What sets temaki apart from other sushi types like maki and uramaki is that they are rolled with a bamboo mat while temaki is rolled with a hand.
Temaki usually contains vegetables, fish eggs, and seafood and is usually topped with pickles and squid. Only one piece of temaki is usually served per serving.
3. Popular Types Of Sushi Around The World
Over the years, sushi has been incorporated into different styles as per individual preferences and choices. Here is a rundown of the most popular types of sushi all around the world.
3.1. California Roll
California roll is one of the most delicious and popular types of sushi all around the world. It contains crab, avocado, cucumber, nori seaweed, and sesame seeds.
For many people, California roll is also the first sushi they ever taste.
Ironically, the California roll did not originate in California or Japan either. It was originally found in Canada. It’s just that adding avocado to a roll came from California.
3.2. Spider Roll
Spider-roll sushi is not exactly what it sounds like; it usually consists of soft-shell crabs, avocado, cucumber, and sesame seeds.
Inside the spider roll, the crabs are either placed as a whole or chopped into small pieces and scattered all over the rice. Radish, lettuce, and green onions are some of the other ingredients found inside a spider roll.
3.3. Rainbow Roll
The rainbow roll is a type of uramaki sushi with rice on the outside. It contains various things, ahi (tuna), which is red in color, salmon, which is orange, yellowtail, which is pink, red snapper in white, and avocado in green.
However, it does not contain all the rainbow colors. It is colorful and tastes delicious with a lot of flavors.
3.4. Tempura Roll
Tempura rolls are nothing but deep-fried maki or uramaki rolls and are most commonly found in all sushi serving places.
In general, tempura is a method of deep-frying fish or vegetables in a very light batter made of water, eggs, and flour.
Shrimp tempura rolls are the most common and popular type of tempura rolls that are sold out there. Some of the other popular ones include dragon rolls, tiger rolls, and crunch rolls.
3.5. Spicy Tuna Roll
Spicy tuna is a special type of maki sushi that uses tuna and a spicy sauce. In this type of sushi roll, the tuna is chopped into small pieces and added to the spicy sauce.
Spicy tuna in general consists of rice, nori seaweed, tuna, spicy mayo, and sriracha. The spice in the roll balances the tuna’s sweetness, and the mayo flavor covers its rawness.
Spicy tuna was originally invented in Los Angeles, California, in the 1980s but remained one of the favorites and all-time popular rolls.
3.6. Dragon Roll
Dragon roll sushi is different from other sushi types, as it is not a traditional type of sushi found in Japan. It is a type of sushi that was developed and served in American restaurants and hotels.
In general, a Dragon roll is an inside-out sushi with rice on the outside and other ingredients on the inside.
In dragon rolls, the shrimp and avocado are placed inside with a thin-sliced avocado placed on the top, which when sliced resembles a dragon and hence the name, dragon Roll.
There are also other versions of dragon roll where instead of shrimp tempura, grilled eel is used.
3.7. Caterpillar Roll
The caterpillar sushi roll is a type of delicious sushi roll that resembles a caterpillar. This roll comes along with intricate layers containing rice, nori, eel, and avocado.
Caterpillar roll is a favorite among many people for its artistic and appealing look. It is also usually topped with soy sauce and ginger slices for a more vibrant taste.
Like many other types of sushi, caterpillar Sushi roll has its roots in the west, where the recipes of traditional sushi were tweaked to add a wonderful blend to its taste.
3.8. Crunchy Roll
Considered one of the most classic sushi rolls, the crunchy roll is the easiest to make and can be prepared even at home.
Crunchy roll usually contains rice, nori seaweed, crab, spicy mayo, onions, and eel.
3.9. Philly Roll
Philly roll, as the name suggests, originated in Philadelphia. Philly roll, which is made up of cheese and salmon, remains one of the popular types of sushi in the united states.
3.10. Dynamite Roll
Dynamite roll is a type of sushi developed by western countries. It is termed dynamite because of its high calories and vibrant color combination.
This roll usually consists of a yellowtail, carrots, cucumber, avocado, and chilly and spicy mayo.
4. Sushi: Healthy Or Not?
Apart from the fact that sushi is delicious food, the different types of sushi also have numerous health benefits.
4.1. Good for Heart Health
One of the major leading causes of death all around the world is heart-related diseases.
Therefore, it is essential to take the utmost care of our hearts, which can be achieved by adding sushi to your diet. Sushi comes loaded with nutrients that are good for our hearts.
Sushi contains fish that are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are nothing but a form of unsaturated fats that benefits the body in many ways.
They reduce swelling in the body and protect damaged blood vessels, thus protecting the heart from strokes and heart attacks.
It also helps in reducing LDL cholesterol, which makes anyone less likely to suffer from blocked arteries.
4.2. Great Source Of Carbohydrates And Proteins
Sushi comes packed with plenty of carbohydrates and proteins.
The fish in different types of sushi give enough nutrients the body needs. Apart from that, the rice present in sushi is also a rich source of fiber.
4.3. Regulates Hormones
Iodine deficiency remains one of the major causes that lead to hormone deficiency.
Sushi contains nori, a type of seaweed containing about 43mcg of iodine, which is about 1/3rd of the total recommended daily iodine intake of the body.
Thus, along with many other health benefits, sushi also plays a major role in preventing hormone imbalance and optimizing the body’s metabolic activities.
4.4. Serves As An Immunity booster
Sushi is not all about fish. It also contains many other ingredients rich in vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and phosphorous.
In general, it aids in the overall efficient functioning of the body right from good heart health, organ health, immunity-boosting, and so much more.
4.5. Aids In Muscle Repair
Sushi, which contains rice and nori seaweed, is a rich protein and carbohydrate source and aids in muscle growth and repair.
For any food lover, sushi is unmissable. So make sure you don’t miss out on these amazing types of sushi next time!
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
5.1. How Many Types of Sushi Are There?
There are 5 main types of sushi including nigiri, sashimi, maki, uramaki, and temaki. New takes and variations to these basic sushi types have yielded a host of other sushi types and hybris.
5.2. Is Sushi a Raw Fish?
Sushi contains elements of raw seafood including raw fish. The use of salmon is one of the most predominant and prevalent.
5.3. Why Is Sushi So Expensive?
Sushi can be expensive in regions where it is not native. Its cost and expenses are determined by the cost of its ingredients including raw seafood. Since seafood is in general expensive in comparison to other foodstuffs, it can raise the expenses of sushi making.
5.4. Can You Eat Sushi Everyday?
Sushi contains important vitamins, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that are important to your health. However, too much consumption can be problematic. One should practice temperance and introduce proper intervals, especially for people with health conditions.
For more information about healthy food read Healthy Foods With Vitamin B17 in Them.
