How to Make Temaki Sushi: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Temaki sushi, also known as hand-rolled sushi, is a fun and interactive way to enjoy your favorite sushi ingredients in a casual setting.

This guide is perfect for experienced sushi chefs and beginners who want to try Japanese cuisine.

To make Temaki sushi at home, you don’t need fancy equipment or skills, just fresh ingredients and basic techniques.

With some practice, you can prepare an impressive and inviting spread of delicious hand rolls for your friends and family.

This guide will teach you to pick and prepare the key ingredients for hand-roll sushi.

These include sushi rice, nori seaweed sheets, and different delicious fillings.

In addition, you will find simple instructions for rolling, serving, and enjoying this special sushi.

So, let’s get started on your Temaki sushi adventure!

What Is Temaki Sushi?

Temaki sushi, also known as hand-rolled sushi, is a popular Japanese cuisine that is fun and easy to make at home.

It consists of a cone-shaped sushi roll filled with various ingredients like fish, vegetables, and rice, wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed).

The word “temaki” comes from the Japanese words “te,” which means hand, and “maki,” which means to roll.

Temaki sushi differs from regular sushi rolls because you don’t need a bamboo mat. Instead, you just fold the ingredients in your hands.

One of the best things about temaki sushi is its versatility.

You can choose from a wide range of fresh ingredients, such as:

• Raw fish (like tuna, salmon, or yellowtail)
• Cooked seafood (like shrimp, crab, or eel)
• Vegetables (like cucumber, avocado, or carrots)
• Pickled or fermented ingredients (like pickled radish, sushi ginger, or fermented soybeans)

Making temaki sushi involves preparing the rice, cutting the ingredients, and assembling the rolls.

Here is a quick overview of the steps:

1. Prepare sushi rice: Cook short-grain sushi rice and mix it with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Let it cool to room temperature. A rice cooker will make your life easier.
2. Cut ingredients: Slice your chosen ingredients into thin, easy-to-roll strips.
3. Assemble the roll: Place a nori sheet on your hand, add a small amount of rice, and arrange your desired ingredients on top. Fold the nori over the fillings and continue rolling to form a cone shape.

Temaki sushi is meant to be eaten immediately after it’s made, as the nori can lose its crispness once it absorbs moisture from the rice and fillings.

Enjoy your hand-rolled sushi with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger on the side for a complete Japanese dining experience.

Ingredients and Tools Needed

Sushi Rice

To make Temaki sushi, you will need sushi rice.

The key is using short-grain Japanese rice.

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 cups short-grain Japanese rice
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Nori Sheets

Nori sheets are essential for Temaki sushi.

They are made from roasted seaweed, thinly pressed, and are easy to find in grocery stores. You’ll need:

• Nori sheets, cut in half (8-10 sheets should be enough for 4 servings)

Fish and Seafood

Fresh, raw, high-quality fish and seafood are the main attractions of Temaki sushi.

Some popular options include:

• Salmon
• Tuna
• Yellowtail
• Crab
• Shrimp
• Salmon roe

Slice the fish and seafood into thin pieces or small cubes, and keep them chilled before assembling your sushi.

Additional Toppings

Add your favorite toppings to personalize your Temaki sushi.

Some common options include:

• Shrimp
• Salmon
• Egg roll
• Cucumber
• Tuna
• Avocado
• Oba

Preparing Sushi Rice

Rinsing the Rice

Before you begin, it’s essential to rinse your sushi rice.

Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear.

This will remove any leftover starch content, which can make the rice overly sticky.

You’ll want to use approximately 2 cups of sushi rice.

Allow the rice to drain for about 30 minutes.

Cooking the Rice

To cook the rice, follow these steps:

1. Place the rice in a saucepan and add 2 cups of water. The water-to-rice ratio should be 1:1.
2. Cover the saucepan with a snug-fitting lid.
3. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let the rice simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit for another 10 minutes with the lid still on to allow it to steam.
5. Or, if you have one, use a rice cooker.

Seasoning the Rice

To season the sushi rice, you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt

Combine these ingredients in a small saucepan and heat them gently over low heat.

Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve, then let the mixture cool.

After the rice has finished steaming, transfer it to a large bowl, preferably a wooden one.

Slowly pour the rice vinegar mixture over the rice using a wooden spoon or rice paddle to fold and mix it in gently.

Be careful not to smash the rice grains.

At the same time, you can use a fan or a piece of cardboard to cool and fan the rice, which will help to give it a shiny appearance and the perfect sticky texture for temaki sushi.

Once the rice reaches body temperature, you are ready.

Remember to keep your hands moistened with water as you work to prevent the rice from sticking to them.

Assembling

Preparing Fillings

To begin, select your desired fillings.

Slice your chosen ingredients into long, thin strips for easy rolling.

1. If using raw fish, make sure it’s sushi-grade. Slice it against the grain for a smoother texture.
2. For vegetables, consider using cucumber, carrots, or asparagus. Slice them into thin, long strips.
3. Cooked items like shrimp or crab sticks should be cooled before use.

You may want to offer several different fillings for a fun, interactive temaki sushi experience.

Making Temaki Rolls

To assemble your temaki rolls, follow these steps:

1. Place a piece of nori (seaweed sheet) on a clean, flat surface. Position the nori with the shiny side facing down and the rough side facing up.
2. Wet your fingers with water to prevent the cooked rice from sticking to your hands. Take a small ball of seasoned sushi rice (approximately the size of a golf ball) and gently spread it over the bottom two-thirds of the nori.
3. If desired, add a small amount of wasabi to the rice and spread it thinly using your fingers or a small utensil.
4. Place your fillings in a diagonal line on the rice, from the bottom left to the top centre of the nori sheet. Be careful not to overfill, as it will make rolling and eating difficult.
5. Carefully fold the bottom left corner up and over the filling, tightly wrapping the nori around the filling.
6. Continue rolling the temaki, forming a cone shape as you go.
7. Repeat the process with your remaining ingredients.
8. If you mess up, it’s all good. Just eat it.

Serve your temaki sushi with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi on the side.

Eat immediately and enjoy!

Variations

In this section, you’ll discover some popular and creative variations to get you started on your journey.

Classic Variations

Some classic variations are beloved for their simplicity and taste.

Try your hand at making these popular options:

• Salmon and avocado: Combine a slice of fresh salmon with creamy avocado for a perfect balance of flavours.
• Tuna and cucumber: Pair fresh tuna with cool, crisp cucumber for a refreshing bite.
• California roll: Combine imitation crab, cucumber, and avocado for this classic sushi roll’s distinctive taste.

Vegetarian Variations

If you’re looking for plant-based options, temaki sushi can be versatile and accommodating for vegetarians.

Here are some delicious ideas:

• Cucumber and avocado: Mix cool cucumber and creamy avocado for a simple yet satisfying combo.
• Shiitake mushroom and tofu: Sauté shiitake mushrooms and tofu with a touch of soy sauce to create a delicious vegetarian filling.
• Pickled radish and carrot: Flavor thinly sliced radish and carrot with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for a tangy option.

Remember, the options are limitless when it comes to temaki sushi!

You can try different ingredients and flavours to make your unique combinations.

We also have some great info on some lesser-known dishes on our site.