Home / News / The Difference Between Japanese Sushi and Western Sushi
April 12, 2022
Sushi first became popular in the western world in the 1960s. Business partners Noritoshi Kanai and Harry Wolff opened the first sushi restaurant in the United States – Kawaf*cku – in Los Angeles, California in 1966. A year later, in 1967, the first sushi restaurant in the UK – Hiroko – was founded by Akiko Kuzusaka.
While Kanai, Wolff, and Kuzusaka used traditional ingredients and techniques to present an authentic taste of Japanese cuisine to their customers, all things change over time. Cultural differences, the availability of certain ingredients, and the preferences of the local clientele all played a part in sushi’s evolution outside of Japan. While the fundamentals remain the same, there are several distinctions to be made between Japanese sushi and Western sushi.
These are some of the main ones you might discover:
Ingredients
Japanese sushi is famous for its simplicity – usually comprising nothing but rice, fish, and nori, along with some seasoning. Western sushi is more complicated, adding high-fat ingredients, such as tempura, mayonnaise, avocado, and cream cheese – few of which make an appearance in traditional Japanese sushi.
Another difference is the type of rice used in both varieties. Japanese sushi uses japonica strains of rice such as koshihikari and emi no kizuna, while some western sushi chefs use Californian calrose or Italian originaro rice. some, more health-conscious chefs replace this with brown rice and sometimes even quinoa.
The biggest distinction is that Western sushi tends to lean towards bold colours and strong flavours, rather than the subtler shades and flavour notes of its Japanese counterpart where the simple tastes of the fish and the rice are at the forefront enhanced by delicate seasonings like akasu and dashi.
Style
A noticeable difference between Japanese and Western sushi is how they are put together. A Japanese nori roll is made with the nori on the outside, tightly wrapped around the rice and other ingredients. Western sushi layers the rice first, followed by the nori and then the filling. When rolled, this leaves the rice on the outside. This was done to cater to largely American aesthetics, as diners did not like the texture of nori on the outside of their rolls. Having the rice on the outside also allowed Western sushi chefs to add extra ingredients to the outside.
Etiquette
In Japan, sushi is treated as an art form, with the sushi chef taking the role of artist. You won’t find wasabi served on the side in its own little dish in a traditional Japanese restaurant, as the chef has already applied the perfect amount for the meal between the rice and the fish. While Western sushi diners will struggle with chopsticks, in Japanese restaurants these are only used for sashimi, with patrons using their fingers for the other dishes.
Whether you prefer Japanese sushi or Western sushi – or if you like both of them equally, as many of us do – the key to a great dish is fantastic ingredients. Visit our online store to discover the best sushi products available in the UK.
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FAQs
Western and Japanese sushi have very different looks.
What is the difference between Japanese and American sushi? ›
The biggest distinction is that Western sushi tends to lean towards bold colours and strong flavours, rather than the subtler shades and flavour notes of its Japanese counterpart where the simple tastes of the fish and the rice are at the forefront enhanced by delicate seasonings like akasu and dashi.
Does sushi in Japan taste different? ›
The Relationship Between Ocean Salinity and Fish Taste
This principle partly explains why freshwater fish might taste blander due to lower salt content. Thus, it's plausible that fish caught near Japan have more umami, contributing to the superior taste of sushi in Japan compared to other regions.
What is the difference between Japanese sushi and California roll? ›
Unlike traditional sushi rolls, the California roll does not use raw fish as its main ingredient. Instead, it features avocado, imitation crab (also called kani), cucumber, and sushi rice, all wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed).
What is the difference between Japanese and Western sushi? ›
Japanese sushi chefs generally only use cooked fish when safety is on the line, like when cooking with eel. Western chefs freely fire up their grills and deep fryers. This change has resulted in American classics like the Philadelphia roll (smoked salmon) and spider roll (crab tempura).
Why is Japanese sushi so good? ›
The freshness is one of the major factors that makes a difference in how sushi tastes. Some of the most famed sushi chefs in Japan are said to go everyday to the local fish market like Tsukiji Fish Market to pick up the days seafood.
What is the most ordered sushi? ›
1. California Roll- By far the most popular sushi roll. The California roll contains cucumber, crab, and avocado. 2. Shrimp Tempura Roll- Tempura is a light batter typically used to fry fish and vegetables.
What is sushi without rice called? ›
Sashimi is usually served thinly sliced on a bed of daikon radish and shiso leaves, sans rice. A little bit of wasabi or fresh ginger may also be added. Bottom line: Sashimi is thinly sliced raw seafood served without rice and is not considered a type of sushi.
What is the most common sushi in Japan? ›
First of all, it must be said that in Japan nigiri zushi are most common and probably most readily associated with the term "sushi". This stands in contrast to some other countries where sushi rolls are often more common than nigiri zushi. In our hit list of sushi types, nigiri and gunkan zushi occupy all top spots.
What Japanese think of American sushi? ›
At my first sushi restaurant, where I began my training, all the Japanese sushi chefs had learned their craft in the US. They shared the same sentiment toward American-style sushi. One of the chefs told me, "I enjoy Shrimp Tempura Roll and Caterpillar Roll. I eat them, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Outside. Japan: The original sushi roll (Maki) consists of sushi rice and fish or vegetables wrapped in nori (seaweed). America: To appeal to the western aesthetic, the traditional roll was flipped inside out. Americans like their rice on the outside and nori on the inside.
Is US sushi Japanese or Chinese? ›
Sushi (すし, 寿司, 鮨, 鮓, pronounced [sɯɕiꜜ] or [sɯꜜɕi]) is a Japanese dish of prepared vinegared rice (鮨飯, sushi-meshi), usually with some sugar and salt, plus a variety of ingredients (ねた, neta), such as vegetables, and any meat, but most commonly seafood (often raw but can be cooked).
What is the Japanese version of sushi? ›
The common seven types of sushi that every Japanese person knows of include Nigiri zushi (Nigiri sushi), Makizushi (Makisushi), Chirashizushi (Chirashi sushi), Inarizushi (Inari sushi), Sushi rolls, Oshizushi and Others. If you add in the local forms of sushi, there are as many types as there are regions.
