Buying guide for Best sushi-making kits
Rolling delicious bites of sushi at home is more affordable than ordering takeout or heading to your favorite Japanese eatery for supper. A sushi-making kit allows you to create tasty, nutritious rolls in the comfort of your own kitchen. Impress guests with your creations, or throw a sushi party and roll up rice and nori with a group of friends. Making sushi is a fun family activity, too.
At-home kits make it easy to try your hand at creating these round nibbles of rice, while at the same time allowing you to decide what goes into your sushi. Getting the hang of it might take some practice, but even imperfect rolls will taste great.
Key considerations
Type
There are two main types of sushi-making kits: traditional and nontraditional.
Traditional: These kits typically include fewer components. Expect to find the basics like a mat for rolling and a paddle for handling rice. Traditional kits have a bit of a learning curve but don’t take up much room. These kits also tend to be fairly inexpensive.
Drawback: More difficult to use.
Nontraditional: These kits include tools other than a mat to help you roll sushi. Tools may include containers or molds to form the sushi so no rolling is required, or training mats to help guide you as you spread out the rice.
Drawbacks: Less authentic; more expensive.
Kit size and contents
Roll size won’t typically vary between kits, but the number of items included in a kit may differ. Do you intend to throw a sushi-making soiree? You’ll need a kit that includes multiple mats. Are you having trouble finding certain ingredients at your local supermarket? You might prefer a kit that includes essential ingredients like sushi rice, so you don’t have to make multiple selections. If you plan to gift a sushi-making kit, opt for one that includes everything your recipient will need to create rolls at home.
Difficulty level
Have you already had some practice making sushi or are you a complete beginner? Choose a kit that matches your level of experience. Consider taking a class for hands-on guidance, or you can watch online videos to brush up on your skills before getting started with a kit.
For extra help, choose a kit that includes a training frame, which helps you avoid using too much rice.
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Sushi-making kit features
Here are some features to look for when picking a sushi-making kit for your kitchen.
Dishwasher safe
Traditional sushi-making kits include bamboo mats, so they aren’t dishwasher safe. Most nontraditional options are made of plastic and easy to clean. Always check the kit instructions for any care guidelines.
Materials
Choose from traditional bamboo mats or plastic devices. Plastic accessories are very durable and easy to clean – perfect for beginners. Choose a kit that includes BPA-free plastic. If opting for a bamboo mat, choose a variety that’s mold resistant. Always dry your mat after rinsing it, and never put a bamboo mat in the dishwasher.
Sushi shape
Certain specialty kits allow users to fashion sushi in shapes such as squares or hearts. If you want to get creative when making sushi rolls at home, opt for a kit that includes a variety of molds.
Extra accessories
For a truly authentic sushi-making experience, choose a kit that contains additional accessories such as a sushi knife. Other accessories that you may find in kits include molds for making nigiri, serving trays or plates, soy sauce holders, recipe books, and chopsticks.
"If you plan to make a lot of sushi, get a high-quality rice cooker. Making sushi will be so much easier if you don’t need to babysit a pot of rice." STAFF
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Sushi-making kit prices
Inexpensive
Simple budget kits that cost less than $20 contain a limited number of accessories. These kits may not be as durable as others, but they’re an excellent choice for anyone new to sushi making. Expect to find basic beginner-friendly options and traditional bamboo mat kits in this price range.
Mid-range
In the $25 to $40 range you’ll find kits that include accessories such as sushi knives or molds to make different shapes.
Expensive
Higher-end kits, at $40 and up, may include ingredients or serving accessories.
Caution
If you use a bamboo mat, wash or rinse it and dry it thoroughly. Even mold-resistant mats need to be adequately dried after each use.
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Tips
Most sushi-making kits include instructions, but here is an outline of the process:
Rinse the rice.
Cook the rice. Either use a rice cooker or the stovetop, and follow the package or cooker’s instructions. For every cup of rice, add 1/5 of a cup of rice vinegar. Certain sushi rice recipes also call for added sugar. If you want sweet rice, add about one tablespoon per cup of rice. You might need to experiment with seasonings to achieve the desired flavor. Also, cook the rice in advance. You don’t want to use steaming-hot rice that might burn your hands. Remember to season the rice, too. Don’t put the cooked rice in the refrigerator because it will dry out.
Cut the fillings into small slivers or cubes. What you use is up to your imagination but can include cooked fish, raw fish, cucumber, avocado, fried sweet potato, and spicy mayo. Pieces that are too large will be hard to roll in your sushi.
Place a sheet of nori on the bamboo mat.
Wet your fingers before handling the rice.
Spread the rice on the nori in a thin layer. You can use your fingers or a paddle. It might take a few tries to figure out how much rice to use. Don’t worry. Practice makes perfect!
Add fillings on the rice. Start with a few fillings. Too many and your sushi will be hard to roll.
Roll up the sushi inside the mat.
Slice the sushi. Use a sharp knife.
- Enjoy! Eat the sushi right away. It tastes best fresh, and, especially when it comes to raw ingredients, there’s a risk for bacterial growth and spoilage if sushi is left out too long.
FAQ
Q. What kind of rice should I use for making sushi?
A. Use a short- or medium-grain rice to get the right sticky texture that won’t fall apart. The best rice options include medium-grain Calrose or short-grain Japonica rice. If you’re ever uncertain, just pick a rice labeled as “sushi rice.”
Q. What’s a good option for vegetarian sushi?
A. The best thing about sushi is the number of possibilities! Choices for veggie sushi depend on your taste but include fried sweet potato, carrots, cucumbers, avocado, fried tofu, omelet, and lettuce.
Q. Can I use any fish to make sushi?
A. Use sushi-grade fish to be sure it’s safe to eat uncooked. If you can’t find sushi-quality fish at your local supermarket, opt for cooked fish such as shrimp or crab. You may not be able to find fresh sushi-grade fish at the grocery store, but check the frozen foods. Some companies sell flash-frozen tuna and salmon for tartare that can be used for sushi.
Q. What do I do with leftover sushi ingredients?
A. The simple answer is to make more sushi, but if you’re all sushied out, you can use the vegetables and fish in a stir-fry the next day.
