The Ultimate Breakdown Of 8 Popular Sushi Styles
Sushi has taken the world by storm, winning over food lovers with its delicate balance of flavor, texture, and artistry.
Whether you’re into time-honored Japanese traditions or bold modern twists, there’s a style of sushi out there for everyone.
New to sushi or already a seasoned fan? Getting to know these eight popular types will take your next sushi outing to the next level.
1. Nigiri: The Elegant Simplicity
Hand-pressed perfection defines nigiri sushi. A small oval of vinegared rice cradles a slice of fresh fish, creating a two-bite masterpiece that showcases the chef’s skill.
Typically topped with salmon, tuna, or shrimp, nigiri often includes a hidden dab of wasabi between the fish and rice.
The name comes from the Japanese word ‘nigiru’ meaning ‘to grasp’ – reflecting how chefs form each piece by hand.
2. Sashimi: Pure Fish Artistry
Raw fish at its finest hour! Sashimi skips the rice entirely, focusing on paper-thin slices of premium fish or seafood arranged like edible artwork on the plate.
Served with wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce, this delicacy demands the freshest ingredients.
While technically not sushi (since it lacks rice), sashimi appears on every respectable sushi menu and requires the most skilled knife techniques from master chefs.
3. Maki: The Rolled Wonders
Roll with the classics! Maki sushi features rice and fillings wrapped in seaweed (nori) and sliced into bite-sized pieces that reveal a beautiful cross-section pattern.
From slim hosomaki with just one filling to chunky futomaki packed with multiple ingredients, these rolls offer endless variety.
The California roll – with crab, avocado, and cucumber – belongs to the uramaki (inside-out) subfamily, where rice appears on the outside.
4. Temaki: Handheld Sushi Cones
Forget the chopsticks! Temaki’s cone-shaped design makes it the ultimate finger food. A sheet of crisp nori wraps around warm rice and fillings, creating a handheld delight best eaten immediately.
Popular fillings include spicy tuna, salmon with avocado, or tempura shrimp with cucumber. The open-ended cone showcases the colorful ingredients inside, making temaki as visually appealing as it is delicious.
5. Chirashi: The Deconstructed Bowl
Bowl enthusiasts rejoice! Chirashi (meaning ‘scattered’) features a bed of seasoned sushi rice topped with an artistic arrangement of raw fish, vegetables, and garnishes.
Each region in Japan boasts its own chirashi style. Tokyo versions highlight pristine sashimi, while countryside variations might incorporate cooked ingredients or local specialties.
This colorful, customizable dish offers all the flavors of sushi without the precise assembly.
6. Oshi Sushi: Pressed to Impress
Square is hip in the sushi world! Oshi sushi gets its distinctive shape from wooden molds that press rice and toppings into compact blocks before being sliced into neat rectangles.
Originating in Osaka, the famous battera (pressed mackerel sushi) remains a signature style. The pressing technique creates a denser texture than other sushi varieties, while allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
Many chefs add special sauces or garnishes before serving.
7. Inari: Sweet Pouches of Joy
Tofu takes center stage in this vegetarian-friendly option! Inari features seasoned sushi rice stuffed inside sweet, fried tofu pouches called aburaage, creating pocket-sized treats with a distinctive sweet-savory profile.
Named after the Shinto god Inari, whose messenger foxes supposedly loved tofu, these golden pouches appear at festivals and casual gatherings.
The tofu skin absorbs the seasoning marinade, creating a uniquely tender texture that complements the vinegared rice filling.
8. Gunkan Maki: Battleship Delicacies
Small but mighty! Gunkan maki (‘battleship roll’) features a base of rice wrapped with a tall collar of nori that creates a vessel for holding loose or delicate toppings.
The ingenious design prevents toppings like tobiko (flying fish roe), uni (sea urchin), or negitoro (minced fatty tuna) from escaping.
When the colorful orange ikura (salmon roe) tops these creations, they resemble little treasure chests filled with edible jewels.