THE 14 MOST COMMON TYPES OF SUSHI IN JAPAN AND THE WEST - NUTRITION - 2025

There are several types of sushi, each one with a different flavor and with a peculiar way of elaboration; In this article I will describe the most common ones. Sushi has a long tradition in Japan and its use has spread throughout history. Despite this, it was not until well into the 21st century that its cuisine has definitely become established in Western culture.

The word sushi refers to a Japanese word that is translated as "bitter rice" or "sour rice", which in turn comes from the term narezushi, and which was used to avoid the fermentation process of rice.

Therefore, we speak of sushi to refer to cooked rice. His own word dismisses the importance of raw fish, although many people think that it is a fundamental piece in this type of elaboration.

The proper way to eat this preparation begins with the fish of a lighter and smoother flavor and gradually increases to the strongest. If we talk about colors, the most subtle are white, the intermediate ones, pink and the strong ones, red.

In addition, it is common to accompany sushi with soy sauce or even wasabi, a kind of green and spicy pasta. Normally it is already introduced inside the piece, although a little more can be added according to the taste of each one.

To fully understand sushi and everything that surrounds it, it is necessary that you know several terms:

• Hashi: Japanese term that refers to the famous chopsticks used to eat raw fish.
• Nori: one of the words that may sound the most familiar to you. It refers to the typical greenish black algae that is used to make sushi.
• Roe: fish roe that are usually placed in the upper area of ​​the plate. Its flavor is salty and they add an interesting color and texture to the dish.
• Makisu: bamboo mat on which different types of sushi are made.
• Kaiten Zushi: Surely you have seen on more than one occasion the typical restaurant where diners choose their plate on a kind of conveyor belt. Kaiten Zushi or "sushi train" is the name by which this type of restaurant is called.
• Itamae: Name by which the expert sushi chef is called.

The most common types of sushi

Each of the different types of sushi is named with the suffix zushi (Ex: Makizuhi, Nigirizhusi). Despite this, what you will see are names to which this suffix has been deleted due to popular tradition.

Also, there are many more types of sushis. In this list I wanted to show you the 9 most important ones that are usually found in restaurants. These are the most commercialized and common.

1- Nigiri

Nigiri is about the famous mound of rice with a piece of raw fish in its upper area to which several chefs add wasabi between both parts. Its name literally means "hand-pressed sushi."

The proper intake of nigiri is done in one bite. Not doing it this way is well seen. If you can't do one, try even two bites.

Some of the most common ingredients for nigiri are octopus, freshwater eel, sea eel, squid, or even sweet egg.

2- Maki

One of the most famous along with nigiri. Its name refers to any type of sushi that is made in the form of a roll. Normally its preparation is carried out on a makisu, with the rice being wrapped in seaweed or nori and introducing fish or vegetables such as tuna, cucumber, carrot or avocado.

On other occasions, the maki can be prepared in soy paper, cucumber or even egg.

The result is a large roll that will later be cut into 6 or even 8 pieces depending on the size.

Additionally, you may have also heard him call norimaki, another of his household names.

• Hosomaki

They are a maki roll but in smaller portions. Its interior must crunch, so its ingredients must be vegetable.

They are usually around 2.5 centimeters in diameter

• Futomaki

The opposite of hosomaki. These are the largest maki preparations that can be found. Its cut is thinner due to its large size - 2 inches in diameter -.

Inside it, double the filling of what is usually introduced in a common maki is introduced.

• Ehomaki

Translated as "roll of the lucky direction", this type of maki is filled with a total of seven ingredients, including mushrooms, egg and eel.

It is said that along with its number of ingredients, it also brings luck when eating it, since the number seven is a symbolic number.

• Gunkanmaki

Another variety of maki. Its meaning, "warship", refers to its shape.

It is surrounded by a nori seaweed with a rice base. Now, in its upper part, different fish roe are placed.

• Uramaki

Surprisingly it is a roll formed upside down: rice on the outside and the nori seaweed on the inside.

• California roll

Variety of maki, with crab and avocado - sometimes even mayonnaise - which was invented in the United States and Brazil.

Its characteristics include the absence of avocado. You will rarely find avocado on a California roll in Japan.

• Temaki

Being less common in European countries, temaki is a curious kind of cone about four fingers long. It is surrounded by nori seaweed and filled with rice alongside some kind of raw fish.

Sometimes wasabi mixed with soy sauce is served when ordering sashimi.

3- Sashimi

Although according to the definition of sushi it is not sushi, it is considered as such in many places. They are strips of raw fish cut into slices.

They can be eaten alone with various types of accompaniments such as wasabi or even ponzu sauce (a sauce made from citrus soybeans, lemon, vinegar, sahi and mirin). These should be eaten with chopsticks or hashi.

Some of the most common types of sashimi are salmon, squid, tuna, octopus, whale meat, sea urchin, puffer fish, or scallop.

4- Chirashi

Under the translation of "dispersed sushi", its use is less widespread in Japan. Even so, we speak of chirashi to refer to a rice dish with a variety of sashimi and multiple vinegar or vegetable dressings.

It is usually served in a wooden bowl and with a total of 9 ingredients, although this may vary according to taste. It is quite popular in homes since it is one of the easiest sushis to make. Just having a good amount of leftovers is enough.

5- Inari

The name of this type of sushi refers to a Buddhist goddess called Inari, who represents agriculture, rice and fertility.

These are "bags" of fried tofu stuffed with pickled rice. Its creation is done by cutting a few thin slices of said compound and then frying them.

Vegetables can be added to the top.

6- Oshizush

With a rectangular and square shape, it is made with a wooden box with the same shape.

Its lower part is made up of rice, while different vegetables and fish are placed in the upper part, showing a certain resemblance to nigiris.

7- Nare

The fish is gutted and washed at first to preserve it for a total of six months in salt. The result is a dirty smell similar to that of cheeses. This sushi stands out for its great value as well as being one of the greatest edible delicacies.

It is served cut into strips in the shape of shasimi. It can also be wrapped with a seaweed.

8- Temari

Type of sushi very similar to nigiri. The difference lies in its size and shape, being much smaller and rounder.

This preparation is known to be traditionally consumed on March 3, the day of the girl in Japan.

9- Chakin

Nice way to present shusi. It is a rice ball wrapped in a layer of egg crepe and closed with a seaweed.

The way to make this type of sushi is summarized by cooking the rice on the one hand and creating the crepe on the other.

The crepe is made by beating an egg and pouring it over a medium-low heat.

10- Anago

Source: pixabay.com

Anago is the word used by the Japanese to name the sea eel. It is usually served as simmered sushi. The term unagi is used to describe the freshwater eagle.

11- Kakinoha

Source: Zheng Zhou CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

This type of sushi is characterized by being wrapped in Japanese persimmon leaves. Its origin dates back to the Edo period.

Persimmon leaves have bactericidal properties, which helps preserve fish better, also enhances the flavor of sushi. For its preparation fish such as salmon, mackerel or eel are used.

12- Chimaki

Source: Yamaguchi Yoshiaki CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

It is a type of sushi that is characterized by being rolled in a bamboo, banana or cane leaf, and by being tied with igusa.

Its ingredients are varied and it is steamed. In Japan it is common to do them on May 5 to celebrate Children's Day.

13- Kazari

Source: MOs810 CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Also known as kazari makizushi, in Spanish decorative sushi. They are basically makizushi rolls, but the ingredients are chosen to create designs such as flowers, animals or shapes.

14- Amaebi

Source: pixabay.com

In Japanese "ama" means sweet and "ebi" means shrimp. This word describes a sushi where raw shrimp or prawns are served with a sweet taste.

Curiosities

- Every June 18 the International Sushi Day is celebrated. Chris Demay, a passionate about this food, proposed that from 2009 a day dedicated to this food be set, and that's how it was.

- Traditionally only men could make sushi. The "excuse" referred to the women having a higher body temperature that altered the flavor of the rice when they prepared it.

-If you want to learn how to make sushi, in Tokyo there are dozens of schools. According to some of these organizations, being a top chef of this dish requires years of training.

- One of the most widely used maki in Europe are salmon. Curiously, these are practically impossible to find in the Japanese country. The reason? The Norwegians introduced salmon back in the 80's to the old continent.

- If you leave the plate empty, the cook will think that he has not made the necessary amount of food to satisfy you. Therefore, it is normal to leave a little on the plate as a sign of fullness.

- In its original form, sushi is eaten with the fingers. The chopsticks are used for sashimi - finely cut pieces of raw fish -.

- If one day you travel to Japan you will discover that before starting to eat the word "itadakimasu" is used, with which you wish a good profit. Then, you should wash your hands with a damp towel.