Friday, October 30, 2009

Sushi Fish Rolls - A Connoisseur's Delight

By Kimikoshi Sumo

Sushi rolls are the most popular form of sushi. Japanese and American restaurants serve two types of sushi to their patrons.

Sushi rolls served with seaweed or nori outside are one variant. The second type is the one which has nori inside the sushi roll.

Whether or not the nori is on the outside or inside of the roll can dramatically change the flavor and texture of the sushi.

Those who enjoy nori often prefer the style of sushi roll where the nori is on the outside of the roll. This style of sushi roll is called futomaki.

Sushi rolls that have nori inside them are called uramaki. People who like sushi prefer futomaki as it is more popular and traditional compared to the other form.

Futomaki is the more popular type of maki sushi roll, as it is considered the more traditional form. When you purchase a sushi roll from a restaurant, at a sushi bar, or even in the grocery store, you will generally see futomaki.

A typical futomaki sushi is vegetarian but has fish eggs as toppings. Generally futomaki is cut into pieces and then served. However, on certain Japanese festivals it is offered as a roll.

Since Japanese prefer to eat with their fingers, uramaki is not a preferred choice. Uramaki is sticky and difficult to eat with fingers or chopsticks. On top of that it falls apart under pressure. Moreover, a uramaki sushi roll is essentially non-vegetarian with fish eggs or sesame toppings.

Uramaki is primarily a North American dish, as Americans are not typically fond of the black coating left on futomaki.

In the entire spread of sushi rolls hosomaki is the clear winner. Hosomaki, like futomaki, has seaweed on the outside and is served as such.

Hosomaki has four variants known as Kappamaki, Tekkamaki, Negitoromaki and Tsunamayomaki.

Kappamaki that has cucumber as its main ingredient is said to cleanse the palate after eating raw fish dishes and its accompaniments.

The red color of tuna fish gives tekkamaki its name and base ingredient.

Negitoromaki variety of sushi rolls has scallions and tuna in them.

The fourth variety of hosomaki, that is Tsunamayomaki, has canned tuna and mayonnaise in it. Such sushi rolls are easy to prepare at home and can be tried by any sushi enthusiast.

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