Sushi (寿司, pronounced suh-shi) is a Japanese dish of vinegared rice topped with various ingredients, primarily seafood. It’s a popular delicacy enjoyed worldwide, and there are many different types of sushi to explore. Here’s a breakdown of what sushi is and some of its most common varieties:
Types of Sushi:
- Nigiri-zushi (握り寿司):The most iconic type of sushi, nigiri consists of oblong-shaped pressed sushi rice topped with a single slice of fish or other ingredient. Popular nigiri toppings include tuna (maguro), salmon (sake), yellowtail (hamachi), eel (unagi), shrimp (ebi), and sea urchin (uni).
Maki-zushi (巻き寿司): Maki sushi, also known as sushi rolls, are cylindrical rolls made with seaweed (nori) wrapped around vinegared rice and fillings. The fillings can vary widely, but often include seafood, vegetables, and sometimes even egg. Popular maki varieties include:
- California rolls:These ubiquitous rolls typically contain crabmeat (or imitation crab), avocado, and cucumber.
- Philadelphia rolls:Another popular option, featuring salmon, cream cheese, avocado, and cucumber.
Uramaki-zushi (裏巻き寿司):Uramaki, meaning “inside-out roll,” is a type of maki sushi where the rice is on the outside and the nori is on the inside, encasing the fillings. These rolls are often topped with sesame seeds or tobiko (flying fish roe).