The Different Types of Sushi

Sushi is very common not only Eastern culture but over the years has grown in popularity all over the world. That small cube of sticky vinegar rice and a bit of raw fish is what many of us consider sushi. However, sushi has evolved over hundreds of years and in that time has become many different versions. We will be looking at the six most common types of sushi and give you a brief overview of what makes them so delicious.

Nigirizushi Sushi
The most common version of sushi found in the world is nigirizushi. This truly is that sticky vinegar rice with a bit of raw fish lumped on top. Many times in western culture, you will find other toppings such as an egg, some beef, duck, or even spam.

Makizushi Sushi
The makizushi sushi is rolled into a cylindrical shape usually using a bamboo sheet called a makisu. Using a dried piece of seaweed, sticky rice is usually added on top. A filling of either raw fish or egg is added and then the seaweed is then rolled. The filling ends up in the middle surrounded by the sticky rice and the seaweed on the outside.

Temaki Sushi
The temaki sushi is very close to the makizushi sushi in construction. The temaki is a hand rolled sushi that ends up looking like a cone. The seaweed is used on the outside as like the makizushi however, the rice and filling is filled to overflowing. The temaki is meant to be eaten with the hands unlike other sushi that is eaten with chopsticks.

Oshizushi Sushi
The literal translation for oshizushi is "pressed sushi" which means this sushi is created by laying toppings into a square wooden mold. Those toppings are then covered with sticky rice and then pressed down on to create a square sushi. The oshizushi is then cut into smaller pieces and served.

Chirashizushi Sushi
Unlike the other styles of sushi where the portion size is determined by the chef, chirashizushi allows the diner to decide. chirashizushi is a style of sushi that consists of a container of rice where a variety of toppings can be added to it. The type of toppings for this sushi can vary widely and there is no standard style.

Western Sushi
The western sushi is a variation on the makizushi style of sushi. This type of sushi is also considered the California roll. Where as the makizushi is rice and filling wrapped in seaweed, the western sushi has the rice surrounding the seaweed. This is a very common sushi that is found all over the world.