The Essential Tools for Making Sushi

Sushi has quickly become a fixture of cuisine all over America, and nowhere is that truer than here in SoCal. But have you ever considered attempting to make some on your own? Doubtless, it will take practice and patience, but creating your own rolls and nigiri can be fun and give you some insight into the process of making such delicious food. Who knows? This might be the start of a serious new pursuit. Before you start looking for recipes, though, you should think about whether you have the proper tools. With that said, here are some of the essential tools for making sushi.

Rice Cooker

The rice you use can make or break your sushi. In addition to buying sushi rice specifically, using a rice cooker will ensure that it’s perfectly cooked—not too dry or too mushy. There are lots of varieties on the market, from simple electric ones to pressurized versions that cook the rice faster. What kind you choose is up to your preference and how much you plan on using it.

Bamboo Rolling Mat (Makisu)

To get that perfectly even roll, you can use a sushi mat. Simply place a sheet of dried seaweed (nori) on the mat, top it with the rice and other fillings, and then roll the mat and the ingredients together to create the roll. You may come across rolling mats made of thick or thin bamboo segments—use one with thin bamboo rods to attain a tighter roll.

Knife (or Knives)

A knife or knives is arguably one of the most important tools you’ll use when you’re making sushi. If you think about it, most of the components of sushi are cut at some point. For general uses, you can go with a gyutou, which can fillet fish and cut vegetables. You can also use this knife to slice fish into small pieces and cut the long rolls into segments, though it won’t be as precise as some more specialized knives. You may want to use a sujihiki slicing knife, which is thinner and more accurate, to perform those tasks. You’re also not limited to just these: as you go deeper into the art of making sushi, you can research different Japanese knife types and find the ones that will suit your needs even better.