Not only does sushi satisfy any carb craving, but it also presents a delightful rainbow of choices. Will you pick a platter with a variety of colourful options, or will you instead go for a chosen favourite few? With sushi being one of the most popular cuisines around, it’s good to know some common favourite dishes. Below, you’ll find a list of the most popular sushi meals, which are worth trying next time you’re dining out.
Sashimi - Though technically not sushi (since sushi requires rice as a base), sashimi is considered to be a delicacy. It is made from salmon, halibut, or tuna, and is pieces of raw fish that are eaten alone or with a side of soy sauce.
Nigiri - A staple option on any sushi menu, nigiri translates to ‘two fingers’ which is a description of the size of the rice required for the dish. Nigiri is made by placing a bite-size rectangular mound of sweet and salty rice on the bottom, and then topping it with a piece of sashimi. In some restaurants, it is secured to the rice with a piece of seaweed - though often, it is served as is with no additions. Nigiri is a good choice if you want a light dining option since it can be eaten in so few bites.
California roll - Considered by many to be the first uramaki an ‘inside out sushi roll’, vinegared rice is put on the outside and holds within it cucumber, avocado, and some type of seafood filler. For those who aren’t fans of fish, the California roll can also be made from crab sticks instead, and can also be ordered as a vegetarian-only option.
Rainbow roll - This colourful option is made with a layer of rice that sometimes has a small coating of sesame seeds on the outside, and filled inside with seaweed, avocado, and usually some kind of assorted fish or prawn. It is then topped with another piece of fish to compliment the one inside, which makes it a more visually impactful choice. It is considered to be a relatively healthy sushi choice due to the amount of good fats received from the avocado, as well as health benefits from the fish.
Dragon Roll - This roll is a great option to enjoy at traditional festivals. It is an uramaki sushi which has shrimp tempura, eel, and avocado that is coated with rice and decadently topped. The sushi roll is traditionally placed down and shaped to look like it is a dragon, complete with an interior that looks like dragon scales from the fried shrimp tempura.
Hand Roll - Known as a temaki, it’s very much a one and done option that’s perfect for when you’re playing the tragamonedas Peru offers. A hand roll is really just a taco-styled sushi roll that consists of a cone-shaped seaweed shell that is filled with sticky rice, raw fish, vegetables and sometimes other seafood. It is far more casual to eat a hand roll than it is to eat other types of sushi, since hand rolls are eaten by picking up the entire option and eating it from your hand.
