---

Origin: Edo-period Japan (19th century)
Key Features: Fresh fish/ingredients paired with vinegared rice (shari). Emphasis on texture, balance, and minimalism.

---

🍚 Essential Components

1. Sushi Rice (Shari)

• Short-grain Japanese rice
• Seasoning: Rice vinegar, sugar, salt

1. Neta (Topping/Filling):

• Raw/cooked fish (tuna, salmon, shrimp)
• Vegetarian (cucumber, avocado, tamagoyaki omelette)

1. Others:

• Nori (dried seaweed sheets)
• Wasabi, soy sauce, pickled ginger (gari)

---

🔪 Basic Sushi Types & How to Make Them

A. Nigiri Sushi (Hand-pressed rice with topping)

Ingredients:

• 200g sushi-grade tuna/salmon
• 2 cups cooked sushi rice
• Wasabi (optional)

Steps:

1. Prepare Rice:

• Cook short-grain rice (1:1 water ratio).
• Mix 2 tbsp rice vinegar + 1 tbsp sugar + ½ tsp salt; fold into warm rice. Fan-cool to room temp.

1. Shape Rice:

• Wet hands; grab 20g rice. Press into oblong mound (finger indentation on one side).

1. Top with Fish:

• Slice fish against grain (¼-inch thick).
• Dab wasabi on rice; place fish slice atop. Press gently.

B. Maki Sushi (Rolled sushi with nori)

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet nori
• ¾ cup sushi rice
• Fillings: Cucumber, avocado, crab stick, or cooked shrimp

Steps:

1. Prep Nori:

• Place nori shiny-side down on bamboo mat (makisu).

1. Spread Rice:

• Cover nori’s bottom ¾ with rice (leave 1-inch top bare).

1. Add Fillings:

• Lay fillings horizontally on rice near bottom edge.

1. Roll Tightly:

• Lift mat’s edge; roll over fillings. Squeeze gently, then complete the roll.

1. Slice:

• Cut roll into 6-8 pieces with a wet knife.

---

⚠️ Critical Tips for Success

1. Fish Safety:

• Use sushi-grade fish (flash-frozen to kill parasites).

1. Rice Perfection:

• Rinse rice until water runs clear.
• Rice should be slightly warm when seasoning.
• Never refrigerate sushi rice (makes it hard).

1. Knife Skills:

• Use a sharp, wet knife to slice fish and rolls cleanly.

1. Serving Etiquette:

• Dip fish-side (not rice) in soy sauce to avoid sogginess.
• Eat ginger between bites to cleanse palate.

---

🌱 Vegetarian Options

• Kappa Maki: Cucumber roll
• Avocado Nigiri: Pressed rice with avocado slice
• Inari Sushi: Rice stuffed in fried tofu pouches

---

🍣 Classic Sushi Plate

Type	Fish/Ingredient	Garnish
Nigiri	Tuna (Maguro)	Wasabi under fish
Nigiri	Cooked Shrimp (Ebi)	Lemon zest
Maki	Salmon-Avocado Roll	Sesame seeds
Temaki	Hand-roll cone	Tobiko (roe)

---

🥢 Cultural Note

Traditional sushi values simplicity and freshness. Master chefs (itamae) train for decades to perfect knife work and rice seasoning. At home, focus on quality ingredients and precise technique!

Enjoy your homemade sushi journey! 🎌🍣