Home Sushi Chef

You will read tales of apprentice sushi chef’s spending years making and perfecting their rice before being allowed to even cut a piece of fish, but don’t let that intimidate you when getting started making sushi. Yes, the rice is important, but it is not rocket science for the average home cook, you can do this!

To start make sure you bought the right kind of rice, Japanese short grained rice is the type that gets sticky and will hold together your rolls or make a nice ball for the base of a piece of nigiri. Long grained rice is not suitable for sushi as it doesn’t get sticky when cooked. Make sure you have the right kind of rice, you should be able to find sushi rice in any grocery store.

What you need:

• 3 cups washed Japanese sushi rice
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3 1/4 cups water

Note: Wash/rinse sushi rice till water runs clear.

Place washed sushi rice in pot or rice cooker with water and let sit for 30 minutes. If cooking with a pot, cover with a lid and bring the rice to a boil. Turn down the temperature to low and cook for 20-25 minutes until water is almost gone and remove from heat.  If you have a rice cooker…close the lid and press start (lucky you!)

Let the rice steam with the lid on the pot for about 15 minutes

While your rice is cooking begin making the sushi rice vinegar by mixing the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small sauce pan over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool while rice finishes cooking.

When the rice has finished steaming spread it out on a large plate or in a large bowl with a spatula. (If you have it a wooden bowl and spatula is traditional and preferred)  Sprinkle the cooled vinegar mixture over the warm rice and fold into the rice with the spatula quickly but gently, avoiding smashing the rice grains.  Cool the rice by using a small fan nearby while you fold in the vinegar. Some sources say this also gives your rice a glossy finish.

Now you have made your first batch of sushi rice! Move on to our recipes and make your favorite type of sushi!

Missing something?  Head to the store for everything you will need!

Popularity: 7% [?]

Learn techniques to make your own sushi rice in this short video or visit the recipies page for written instructions.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Makes 4 rolls
California Rolls are one of the most common types of sushi rolls  in the United States. Many people prefer these types of maki rolls because they don’t contain raw seafood. If you can’t get access to sushi grade fish, are pregnant, or just love crab and avacado this roll is for you!

Peel an avocado and cut it into strips. Place crab meat in a bowl and mix with salt and mayonnaise. Place a sheet of plastic wrap over a bamboo mat. Place a sheet of dried seaweed on top of the mat. Spread sushi rice on top of the seaweed and press firmly. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the sushi rice. Turn the sushi layer over so that the seaweed is on top. Place avocado and crab lengthwise on the seaweed. Roll the bamboo mat forward, pressing the ingredients inside the cylinder-shaped sushi. Press the bamboo matt firmly with both hands, then remove the rolled sushi. Cut the sushi roll into bite-size pieces.

Popularity: 19% [?]