Sushi 101 - A Few Basic Facts
Sushi began many centuries ago as a method of preserving raw fish. Over the years, it has transformed into a delicate art form. The word "sushi" refers to the rice, but in American society, it can mean the bite-sized piece of raw fish or seafood placed on top of seasoned rice.
If you're new to sushi, here's a rundown of what you'll encounter at your typical sushi restaurant:
Sashimi: A slice of raw fish, served as-is. With sashimi, you don't get any nori (seaweed wrap) or rice, but it is often served with daikon (radish), pickled ginger and wasabi. Most restaurants serve sashimi a la carte (2 pieces per order).
Sushi (Nigiri-zushi): A slice of raw fish or seafood, served atop a finger-sized bed of seasoned rice, often served with daikon, pickled ginger and wasabi. Most people dip it in soy sauce before eating it. Most restaurants serve sushi a la carte (2 pieces per order).
Sushi maki (rolls): If you've heard of the California Roll, then you know what a basic maki is all about. The roll consists of seasoned rice, nori (seaweed wrap), fish, seafood and/or vegetables.
There are several types of rolls, depending on how they are formed.
- Futomaki: These are larger, thick rolls, sometimes referred to as Monster Rolls. Nori is on the outside.
- Hosomaki: These are smaller, thinner rolls (such as the California Roll), with nori on the outside.
- Uramaki: These rolls are "inside out" - the rice is on the outside of the nori. Uramaki are frequently garnished with black and white sesame seeds.
Many American sushi restaurants offer rolls with both cooked and raw fish/seafood, such as:
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Yellowtail
- Snapper
- Eel
- Snow crab
- Soft shell crab
- Tempura shrimp
- Sushi shrimp
- Scallops
- Octopus
- Fluke
- Salmon skin
- Conch
- Caviar
Other ingredients common in sushi maki include:
- Cream cheese
- Tempura flakes (adds a crunchy element)
- Avocado
- Asparagus
- Scallions
- Masago (smelt roe)
- Cucumber
- Tobiko (flying fish roe)
- Eel sauce (a sweet, syrupy sauce that accompanies eel - don't worry, it's not made from eel!)
- Spicy mayonnaise
Soy maki: These are very similar to traditional rolls, except you'll find wraps made of soy (usually quite colorful) replacing the usual nori.
Pickled ginger: This is a condiment to be placed atop sushi, sashimi and maki. It has a slightly sweet and tangy flavor.
Soy sauce: Most sushi, sashimi and maki are dipped in soy sauce prior to eating.
Wasabi: This is a condiment to be placed (sparingly) atop sushi, sashimi and maki. It can be very spicy, so go easy if you aren't familiar with its flavor.
If you run across something on the menu that wasn't mentioned here, don't hesitate to ask your server to explain. Exploring the world of sushi can be an exciting experience for the palate, so don't be afraid to try something new!