There are over 4,000 sushi restaurants in the United States. Those restaurants earn $2 billion in revenue. That’s a lot of money for a cuisine that was unknown to Americans 50 years ago!
Have you not tried sushi? It’s hard for some to feel adventurous enough to eat raw fish. An unfamiliar menu is also intimidating.
It’s hard to figure out what you should order.
We’re here to help. Read on to learn all about the most popular types of sushi restaurants serve.
History of Sushi
This dish originated in Southeast Asia. The earliest forms of sushi, known as Narezushi, date back to the 10th century. This primitive form was fish fermented with rice and vinegar.
This original sushi form evolved into the dish both the Japanese and Americans love. It’s not a very common menu item today.
As is the story with most American food, sushi found its way to America through immigration. The post-World War II years saw an influx of Japanese immigrants to the west coast.
In 1966, America’s first sushi restaurant opened in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo. Curious younger generations of American chefs and eaters spread sushi across the country.
Sushi became a very popular food among young, urban professionals by the 1980s. Now it’s so widespread you can buy it in gas stations and grocery stores.
How is Sushi Served?
Contemporary American sushi restaurants serve it the same way. Sushi features a fish (there are vegetarian options), vinegared rice, and raw vegetables. Soy sauce, wasabi paste, and pickled ginger accompany.
The most common fish are yellowtail tuna and salmon. These are raw. You’ll also find shellfish like shrimp, crab, and lobster. All American restaurants serve cooked shellfish.
Types of Sushi
You’re aware of the basic components. That won’t make ordering from your local sushi restaurant much easier.
There are different types of sushi you need to know. This way you’ll know exactly what you’re ordering for your first time. Don’t miss out on the best sushi.
Nigiri
This is sushi type evolved from the ancient narezushi. Nigiri is a mound of hand-formed vinegared rice served with a thin filet of raw fish on top.
The most common nigiri comes with raw salmon or tuna. This is sushi meant for those who want to experience the subtle flavors of the seafood.
Not all nigiri comes with raw fish. Some restaurants serve vegetarian varieties topped with fresh vegetables of tofu.
Oshizushi
This is similar to nigiri. While nigiri is handmade, oshizushi is pressed into a mold called an oshibako.
This mold creates perfect-shaped rectangles or squares. Like nigiri, the construction is seafood atop vinegared rice. Unlike nigiri, the oshizushi layers can feature other ingredients.
You’ll see oshizushi with layers of seaweed, pickled onion, and egg.
Maki
If you’re familiar with sushi form, you know what maki is. Maki is a seaweed roll filled with rice, vegetables, and seafood.
The most common Maki rolls come filled with tuna, salmon, or crab. Don’t fret if you’re a newbie. Many restaurants serve Maki filled with vegetables or tempura shrimp if raw fish is too much.
A more esoteric Maki roll is Gunkan Maki. Gunkan translates to “war boat.” It is a tall seaweed tube filled with rice, seafood, and topped with fish eggs.
Uramaki
Uramaki is a roll like Maki. The difference is the rice is on the outside of the seaweed roll.
This is a western sushi invention. It is also one of the most common varieties on restaurant menus. Here are some common Uramaki rolls you’ll find.
- California Roll: Made for western tastes and features crab, avocado, and cucumber.
- Philadelphia Roll: Cream cheese (hence Philadelphia), smoked salmon, avocado.
- Dragon Roll: Eel, crab, or shrimp tempura with cucumber and finished with sliced avocado.
- Rainbow Roll: Wrapped crab, cucumber, and mayonnaise topped with alternating slices of raw salmon, yellowfin, and avocado.
- Spicy Tuna Roll: Raw tuna, mayo, and chili sauce.
- Crunch Roll: Crab, shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado topped with tempura flakes and chili cream sauce.
Those are six of the many Uramaki you’ll see on a restaurant menu. It’s a less traditional form, so you’ll find many delicious sushi experiments.
Temaki
Temaki is a roll like Maki or Uramaki. There’s one big difference. It isn’t sliced.
The ingredients are rolled in the Nori (seaweed wrap) and served whole. You’ll often see these called “hand-rolls” on sushi restaurant menus.
What’s inside a Temaki roll? Vinegared rice, vegetables, and seafood. Think of them as a larger version of Maki rolls.
Sashimi
This is on many sushi restaurant menus even though it isn’t really sushi.
What is it? It’s thin-sliced raw fish served on a bed of daikon radish. The most common fish served Sashimi-style are salmon, yellowfin tuna, halibut, squid, and octopus.
What About Accompaniments?
Sushi is served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Sushi etiquette determines how you use them in an upscale restaurant. Feel free to do what you please at home.
- Soy Sauce: Dip sushi lightly, fish side down.
- Wasabi: Spicy Japanese horseradish served as a paste used sparingly.
- Pickled Ginger: Eaten between courses as a palate cleanser.
Have Fun!
Sushi is fun. Dinner at a sushi restaurant is a communal experience full of wonderful, new flavors.
Once you eat sushi for the first time you’ll wonder what took you so long. Experiment with these common types of sushi and find one you love.
Share the love with your friends and family at a local sushi restaurant tonight.
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