What Ingredients Do I Need To Make A Sushi Roll?

You do not necessarily have to visit a sushi bar if you want an assortment of great Sushi. You can simply make sushi by following simple procedures. You are probably wondering: What basic ingredients do I need to make Sushi? Outlined below are the ingredients you need to get started especially if you want to make good Sushi. 

1. Sushi rice 

Also known as Sushi-Meshi is a key ingredient when it comes to making good Sushi. It is prepared by cooking premium grade short or medium grain Japanese white rice after which it is mixed with rice vinegar, salt and sugar mixture while fanning it as this cools it off.  

Be aware that Japanese sushi rice is very glutinous.  To make the perfect sushi rice make sure you have a good Japanese rice cooker.

2. Rice Vinegar

To make the required seasoning for the Sushi rice, you will need to use rice vinegar. This gives it a tart and sweet flavor associated with good sushi rice. 

3. Kombu

Kombu is seaweed commonly used in the preparation.  This is not used as the actual wrapping but instead is for flavoring the rice.  Before starting the rice cooker throw in a few pieces of Kombu into the rice (5x5cm per 3 cups or rice).  Kombu is popularly eaten in East Asian countries and in Japan as well. The majority of the available Kombu is cultivated in the seas of Japan and Korea.  It provides the 5th taste also known as the mysterious Umami.

4. Wasabi

You can either add wasabi to soy sauce where you will dip your Sushi while eating it or you can also swipe it onto the sushi rice surface as you prepare the Sushi.  You can either purchase Wasabi in paste or powder form.

5. Soy Sauce

Nothing is as good as dipping Sushi in soy sauce combined with some wasabi and taking a juicy bite. Soy sauce is prepared using the paste of soybeans that has been boiled and mixed with grain (barley, rice, or wheat), oryzae molds or Aspergillus sojae and brine. 

6. Sushi Fish (raw)

Before adding your favorite fish to the sushi creation, make sure the fish is actually sushi grade. Even so, the guidelines and the regulations detailing the exact sushi grade type of fish are not defined clearly. However, you can shop for it at your local grocery store, from a Japanese, or even online.  If you are just starting out, then try using canned tuna.

7. Nori (seaweed)

This is what you will be using for rolling the sushi ingredients in.  It is advisable that you use quality nori for preparing sushi. Good quality nori is normally black in color. Therefore, if you are being offered green nori instead of black nori, then opt not to buy it. Simply take some time and find the real deal.  To familiarize yourself with the different types of  seaweed make sure to read our article on the popular types.

8. Sushi Ginger

Sushi ginger is also commonly referred to as Gari. It is served together with Sushi. Sushi ginger is eaten between dishes as it helps cleanse your pallet. 

9. Veggies 

Popular available vegetables to try are Cucumbers, Carrots, Avocado, Spring Onions and steamed Asparagus.

10. Eggs

One easy ingredient to use and easily rolled with Nori seaweed is egg omelets.  

11. Other Seafoods

If frozen shrimp or pollack laying around in your freezer then go right ahead and use them.  They make perfect sushi ingredients especially pollack since you can cut them in strips.

The aforementioned ingredients are vital for the preparation of sushi. So, consider using these to make your Sushi mouthwatering.