One of the best things about sushi is that you don’t need to know the names of each item to enjoy it. Especially if you frequent conveyor belt sushi restaurants, where you can choose any meal that catches your fancy. However, if you’re ordering from a menu, it’s helpful to be familiar with the different types of sushi so you know what you’ll be getting if you order each one separately. In Japan, the most popular type of sushi is known as nigiri.
But do you know everything about what is nigiri sushi? If you’re new to raw fish and find sashimi frightening, nigiri sushi is a fantastic item to start. The vinegared rice balances the flavor of raw fish, allowing your taste buds to become accustomed to its distinct flavor. Today we will explore all you need to know about Nigiri sushi.
At the very beginning, let’s learn about what is sushi.
What Is Sushi?
Sushi is a Japanese cuisine that is made up of specially prepared rice coupled with another item, usually some form of fish or seafood, which is typically raw but can also be cooked.
Sushi can be prepared in a multitude of methods. But it always contains rice—and, while the word sushi is frequently linked with raw fish, it’s fair to say that vinegared rice is the essential ingredient in sushi. Interestingly, the word “sushi” is a combination of the Japanese words for rice and vinegar. Although the toppings and fillings vary, sushi always includes rice.
Sushi rice is a vast topic in and of itself. A sushi chef in Japan must go through years of training just to figure out how to make sushi rice; they do not simply pick up a knife and cut up fish.
In a nutshell, sushi rice is medium-grained white rice mixed with vinegar and other condiments (salt and sugar). When correctly cooked, sushi rice has a sticky stickiness that allows it to be molded or rolled into shape.
What is Nigiri Sushi?
This gets us to Nigiri. Nigiri sushi is a popular type of sushi that consists of an oval-shaped pile of rice topped with a slice of (usually raw) fish. Nigiri comes from the Japanese word “nigirizushi,” which means “hand-pressed sushi.”
Thus, nigiri is a type of sushi in which the rice is hand molded and the fish or other topping is pushed on top of the rice. Additionally, the moistness from the topping and the stickiness of the rice help to hold the raw fish strip to the pile of rice below.
Occasionally, the chef will sprinkle a small bit of wasabi between the rice and the fish, and a garnish, such as minced scallions or ginger, is also usual.
Furthermore, the fish is nearly always served raw. Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and albacore are some common examples. Fatty tuna is another common topping; it’s made from the belly of bluefin tuna.
Is Nigiri Sushi?
Yes, nigiri is considered a type of sushi because it contains rice and fish. Nigiri, however, isn’t made with dried seaweed like other varieties of sushi. It’s a basic ball of rice topped with raw fish and occasionally served with soy sauce. A piece of raw fish sans sushi rice would be referred to as sashimi, another well-liked Japanese dish, if it were served by a restaurant.
How Is Nigiri Different From Sushi?
Sushi is a rice-based Japanese cuisine that typically has some kind of fish or seafood as an additional ingredient. Depending on how the dish is made, the fish or seafood may be served raw or cooked.
Although the name sushi is a combination of the Japanese words for “rice” and “vinegar,” it is commonly associated with a dish of raw fish.
Sushi is made with medium-grained white rice seasoned with vinegar and a hint of sugar and salt. Nigiri is a raw dish made of fresh fish slices combined with the somewhat sweet flavor of sushi rice.
Types of Nigiri Sushi
Sushi restaurants can include a range of nigiri on their menu, including vegetarian nigiri sushi alternatives, since nigiri is a little ball of rice and meat. These various forms of nigiri are made with items often found in sushi restaurants. All you need is a sushi chef to properly prepare the dishes and a powerful point-of-sale system with a kitchen display system to ensure that every order is served on time.
Tuna
Tuna is a traditional nigiri flavor. Many sushi restaurants have gone so far as to create three distinct tuna dishes—akami, otoro, and chutoro—using different sections of a single tuna.
Akami tuna is the red, meaty portion of tuna that is typically utilized in sushi recipes. Akami is found in the backbone fin portion, indicating that it is slender and low fat. Otoro tuna is the fattest part of the fish, usually found in the belly. Chutoro tuna is a hybrid of akami and otoro, combining lean and fatty tuna meat to create a rich flavor and texture. Chutoro isn’t commonly found on sushi menus because chefs typically need to use a whole fish to construct a single nigiri.
Salmon
Salmon, or sake in Japanese, is another fish commonly utilized in nigiri due to its widespread availability and appealing flavor profile. While salmon can be served raw, some establishments offer salmon nigiri aburi, also known as smoked salmon nigiri, to give customers more options. A blowtorch can also be used to smoke the salmon prior to serving. Just don’t forget to have a fire extinguisher with you.
Sea Urchin & Octopus
While they may not be everyone’s first pick, sea urchins and octopus remain popular alternatives to traditional sushi fare. Sea urchin, called uni in Japanese, has a bitter yet creamy texture that contrasts with other solid slices of fish. Octopus, commonly known as tako, is a thin slice of tentacle with a chewy texture.
How to Eat Nigiri Sushi
To eat nigiri, use your hands or chopsticks. If you’re used to using a fork, just ask for one. To enhance the flavor of your nigiri, request soy sauce and traditional sushi toppings such as wasabi, ginger, shiso leaves, and dried seaweed.
What Is Maki?
For Westerners, sushi is typically associated with a black roll filled with sushi rice and other ingredients. This black roll is known as maki or makizushi, and it is arguably one of the most popular types of sushi on our side of the world.
In a nutshell, maki is a roll in which the components (rice, raw or cooked fish, other seafood such as shrimp, veggies, and cream cheese) are wrapped in a sheet of “nori” or dried seaweed.
Maki and Nigiri vary primarily in that Maki has seaweed on the outside of the sushi rolls, whereas Nigiri has seaweed inside.
What is Sashimi?
Sashimi are thin slices of raw fish or pork served without rice or additional toppings such as avocado or sesame seeds. In Japanese, sashimi literally means perforated meat. Chopsticks are often used to consume the thinly sliced raw fish, which is served with popular garnishes including pickled ginger and wasabi.
While many customers believe sashimi is harmful to eat since it is raw, skilled sushi chefs produce sashimi with highly fresh fish, making it safe to consume. Many sushi restaurants identify where their fish is sourced, in addition to the standard warning about eating raw or undercooked meals.
What’s The Difference Between Nigiri vs Sashimi vs Maki
Let’s look at the differences between Nigiri, Sashimi, and Maki.
Ingredients
- Nigiri is a combination of rice and fish.
- Sashimi is composed entirely of meat (fish or otherwise). It is free of rice.
- Maki consists of rice, nori, and a variety of other toppings.
Presentation
- Nigiri is served as a “ball” or “rice mound” made out of rice and fish. There is typically no fish topping.
- Sashimi is served as thin slices or strips of raw fish or pork, with no rice.
- Maki is delivered as a long, divided roll or tube.
Sushi
- The most common and traditional kind of sushi in Japan is nigiri.
- Outside of Japan, maki is the most popular kind of sushi.
- Although it is served in sushi restaurants, sashimi is not actually sushi.
Eating
- To eat Nigiri sushi, use your hands.
- Eat sashimi using chopsticks.
- When eating maki, you can either use chopsticks or your hands—but using your hands is always recommended.
Do You Eat Sashimi Like Nigiri Sushi?
No, chopsticks are not required for eating sashimi; however, you are welcome to use your hands instead. Nigiri is the exact opposite. It’s typically eaten with your hands. When handling sashimi, you should dip your hands or chopsticks into the soy sauce before handling it. It’s usually eaten with pickled ginger, wasabi, and shredded daikon radish. You dip nigiri immediately into the sauce that the restaurant serves with it.
If you embrace sushi (and Japanese cuisine in general), try Nigiri and Sashimi. Additionally, don’t be shy to ask your server how to prepare it for consumption. You might discover your next favorite dish on the menu.
Final Words
This is our overall guide to what is Nigiri. Nigiri sushi is a popular option for those who are new to sushi as a starting point. It helps newcomers grow to love raw fish because of its unique flavor and delectable taste. You can start with grilled, seared, or cooked fish alternatives and go on to the raw version if you find the flavor of raw fish to be too overpowering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nigiri actually raw?
Yes, nigiri is usually served with a little bed of rice that has been vinegared and topped with raw fish or seafood. On the other hand, certain variants might use cooked foods.
Is Nigiri one bite?
Indeed, nigiri is typically consumed in a single bite. The nigiri’s size is usually intended to be comfortably eaten in one mouthful.
Is Nigiri hot or cold?
Rice that has been treated with vinegar is the base for nigiris, which are usually served cold and comprised of raw or barely cooked fish.
Does Nigiri taste good?
A piece of raw fish served atop a tiny pile of rice that has been seasoned with vinegar is called nigiris, and it’s highly regarded for its delicate and fresh flavor. Whether it tastes well or not is a matter of taste, but many people like its excellent ingredients and straightforward preparation.