What Does Sushi Taste Like: Read and Find Out!

While there are some people who are experimental in terms of the food they eat, others are less adventurous. If you are part of the latter, there are probably many things that you haven’t tried yet, sushi being one of them. That being said, if you are curious about what does sushi taste like, read the rest of this post and you will find out!

​What Is Sushi?

​Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese dishes. It is often confused with sashimi, which is raw fish in Japanese. However, it is important to point out that sushi is not sashimi, although sashimi is a major ingredient in sushi.

To put it simply, sushi refers to rice that is seasoned in vinegar, usually rolled. Aside from the seasoned rice, another common ingredient is a seaweed wrap. In Japan, this dish is traditionally simple, usually with just one vegetable or fish.

The condiments are also simple. It is dipped in soy sauce and dab it with a little amount of wasabi. Pickled ginger, on the other hand, is used for cleansing the palate and not as a dip.

In Western countries, such as in the United States, there are many variations of sushi that you can see. Almost every restaurant has their own way of preparing this Japanese dish, causing a change in taste.

​What Does Sushi Taste Like?

​Now, let us go back to the main question that we intend to answer in this post. If you have always been afraid to try sushi, fearing that you will throw out, having an idea of how it tastes will help. If you want a simple answer to the question – it depends! The taste of sushi will depend on the type of the sushi you are eating since the ingredients will vary.

​The first thing that you have to know is the flavor of the rice, which is the main ingredient in sushi. It needs a special kind of rice, which is prepared with the right amount of vinegar, salt, and sugar. For a genuine sushi, meanwhile, the rice is cooked only with red rice vinegar and salt. The taste should not be overpowering.

​The taste of sushi will depend on a number of things, but the most critical would be the toppings or the ingredients that are used. That being said, you also have to know the different types of sushi to know their flavor profiles, which will be the focus of the next part of this post.

​If you are new to sushi, I suggest that you start with the basic items with a subtle flavor, such as tuna and salmon. If you want a bolder flavor and texture, on the other hand, you can opt for eel and octopus, although the flavor can be strong if you are eating sushi for the first time.

​What Are The Different Types Of Sushi?

​Here are the different types of sushi that you can try. Their flavors will vary not on the type of sushi that you are eating, but based on the ingredients that are used in such type.

This is perhaps the most popular from the types of sushi. This is rice wrapped in seaweed or any other wrap with fillings in the center. This rolled sushi has several other variations. For instance, hosomaki roll, which has rice on the inside and nori on the outside. Uramaki, on the other hand, has rice on the outside and nori inside.

This is a hand-pressed variety of sushi. Using your hand, you will make a rectangle-shaped rice, which will then be topped with wasabi and your choice of ingredients. The ingredients can vary depending on your personal preferences, but some of the most common are shrimp, tuna, and octopus.

This is also known as a scattered sushi and more of like a sashimi. It is similar to your usual burrito bowl, except that the ingredients are those that you can always find in a sushi. It is a common food served in homes in Japan, which is a way to recycle their leftovers. It usually has nine ingredients, which means that you can expect an explosion of flavors in your mouth.

Basically, this is fried tofu with sushi rice, perfect for those who are looking for something different than the traditional sushi. Rice and tofu are the stars of this dish, but you can also add different toppings depending on the flavor that you would like to achieve.

​How to Make Sushi

​After knowing the flavors of sushi, if you are now craving for it, this section will briefly discuss the essentials when it comes to preparing this dish. There is no need to run to an expensive Japanese restaurant. With basic ingredients, you can prepare it on your own. There is even no need to use for complicated electrical appliances in the home, except for a rice cooker.

1. ​Rinse the rice in cold water and have it cooked. The exact duration will depend on the rice that you are using. After cooking the rice, mix it with vinegar and sugar, depending on the flavor that you want.
2. Prepare the filling depending on the sushi that you wish to prepare. It should be frozen at least a day before, which will kill the parasites. Some of the most popular fillings are tuna, crab, salmon, cucumber, and avocado.
3. Prepare the sushi rolling mat. On the top of it, place the nori sheet. Wave it in open flame to make it crisp. Place rice on the top of the nori sheet. Spread it evenly. Place ingredients in the middle and roll the mat.
4. Open the mat and your sushi is now ready to be enjoyed. Depending on the flavor that you want, you can use soy sauce, wasabi, or pickled ginger.

​Pro Tip: If you want to enjoy sushi with wood-fired flavor, you can grill or smoke your ingredients lightly. Especially for fish, they are quite delicate, so grilling and smoking should be done with caution. You can use your Elite grill to do this!

​Final Thoughts

So, what does sushi taste like? As stated in this post, it depends. The ingredients that are used will play a major role in its flavor. You can choose from different fillings depending on what tickles your taste buds. Your choice of condiments will also have an effect on how it will taste.

Have you tried sushi before? How did it taste? Let us know by leaving a comment below.