Anyone who personally knows me is well aware of my love for sushi. There has almost never been a moment in time when I am not craving this delicious food for all 3 meals of the day. There is something about sushi that is unique in flavour and design. Whether its maki rolls, nigiri, sashimi, temaki, or other Japanese tapas, each dish is prepared in a modern yet traditional form, which has always made me appreciate the culture and craftsmanship of this diverse cuisine.
Over the years I have come in contract with several individuals who are yet to try SUSHI. And no I’m certainly not talking about cucumber and avocado rolls. I am talking about the rolls that open up your palette, and invite you to textures that are uncommon in other food categories. Now, before you dive into spider, caterpillar and volcano rolls, it’s important to start with some of the more basic rolls to get you familiar with standard sushi ingredients. Since I have converted many of my friends into sushi lovers, I thought I would share 5 of my favourite classic rolls that I believe every beginner should try before experiencing the more intense flavours of this Japanese staple.
California roll
Basic but totally iconic!
The classic california roll is one of the most common rolls on every sushi restaurant menu. This roll is traditionally filled with imitation crab meat, cucumber slices, and avocado. It can be topped with sesame seeds or tobiko for a nice crunch and flavour on the outer rice surface. This is a great roll for beginners who are willing to try crab, but are yet to commit to other fish products such as salmon or tuna.
Spicy Tuna Roll
Let’s get spicy!
This is definitely one of my favourite rolls that although has a nice kick to it, is not unbearably hot. Depending on the restaurant, this roll is filled with chopped fresh tuna that is marinated in spicy mayo sauce. I’ve previously had this roll with avocado inside and it has added a delicious creamy component to the maki roll. If the roll is not spicy enough for you, then you can always add a smudge of wasabi and additional spicy mayo on top.
Philadelphia Roll
Cream cheese and salmon?! Yes!
When I first started eating sushi, I could not possibly imagine this strange combination but the more I got into it, the more I loved the creamy texture through each little bite. This roll is certainly not for everyone but it is considered a classic roll due to its simplicity and well-balanced flavours. This roll is filled with cream cheese, avocado, and is wrapped in salmon. Interestingly enough, I have as well had this roll with cooked salmon inside and it tastes just as great!
Shrimp Tempura Roll
Who can say no to shrimp tempura?
This deep fried shrimp is filled with crunch that pairs wonderfully inside any possible sushi roll. Although it is completely constructed differently in every sushi restaurant I have been to, the classic shrimp tempura roll is filled with shrimp tempura and Japanese mayo. However the shrimp tempura is as well the main ingredient in dynamite and dragon rolls, which are usually stuffed with shrimp tempura of course, avocado, imitation crab, cucumber, and are drizzled with eel/terriyaki sauce and tobiko.
If you’re feeling adventurous, don’t forget to add some extra spice with wasabi, spicy mayo, or scallions.
Rainbow Roll
Looking for a picture perfect dish?
For a beginner, the rainbow roll is a fantastic way to try out different kinds of fish all in one order. This is a great way to test out various fish types and get an idea of your favourite fish flavours, which you can later elevate into sashimi and nigiri dishes in the future. The rainbow roll is a basic california roll topped with salmon, tuna, eel, white tuna, and avocado. so yummy, right?
The M Word 