Lesson 7
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Sushi
What is sushi?
You may have heard of sushi before, but do you actually know what it is?
Sushi’s a type of raw fish isn’t it?
Well yes and no! Raw fish eaten on its own is actually known as something else (sashimi). Sushi on the other hand is vinegared rice topped with various items such as raw fish, shellfish, cooked egg and beans amongst other things.
Are there different types of sushi?
There are four main types of sushi:
Nigirizushi
Bite sized pieces of rice, usually topped with a small slice of raw fish, shell
fish or egg and seasoned with a spicy green horseradish paste called
wasabi. Nigirizushi is often dipped in soy sauce before eating.
Makizushi
This is a type of rolled sushi. Vinegared rice is spead over a sheet of seaweed
and various types of seafood and/ or vegetables are arranged in the centre. A
thin bamboo mat is used to roll up the sushi into a cylinder and this is then
sliced into small bite sized pieces. Makizushi is usually dipped in soy sauce
before eating.
Chirashizushi Warm vinegared rice is arranged in a bowl. Vegetables and seafood (both cooked and uncooked) are then mixed into the dish. Finally strips of sliced omelette and seaweed are arranged on the top. Soy sauce may be served on the side for dipping. There are also slightly differing regional varieties of this dish.
Oshizushi Vinegared rice is pressed into a small boxlike wooden mould. Strips of seafood are then placed on top. It is sliced into bite sized pieces and dipped into soy sauce. For further information on sushi, check out: http://www.sushilinks.com/
