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Preparing and Buying Ingredients For Sushi

There are a variety of ingredients that can be used to make the various types of sushi: including sushi rolls, sushi nigiri, sushi rice bowls, and sushi speciality rolls.

On this page you can view some of the more common sushi ingredients with pictures, and generally, how they are prepared, and where to buy them.

Also from this page you can click to view and make sushi rolls(maki sushi), sushi speciality rolls, sushi rice bowls, noodle bowls, nigiri sushi, and also preparation methods for the rice and nora, and how to use the bamboo mat, and you can learn the cutting methods for sushi rolls.

The sushi maki and sushi specialty rolls have photos, and there are photos of the sushi rice bowls, noodle bowls, and nigiri sushi.

If you have not made 'sushi rice', you can do so easily by browsing to the 'How To Make Sushi Rice' link.

VEGE and COOKED INGREDIENTS

avocado,
cucumber
carrot
zucchini
eggplant
cerini mushrooms
shiitake mushrooms
radish(pickled daikon)
tofu/bean curd
imitation crab sticks(cooked)(sirimi)
imitation crab flakes(cooked)
cooked shrimp(ebi)
cooked shrimp tempura
cooked spicy or smoked salmon
cooked bbq eel(unagi)
cooked teriyaki beef
cooked teriyaki chicken

The vegetable ingredients for making sushi are prepared by peeling, slicing, and cutting them appropriately for the sushi roll your making. Veges can be bought at any local grocery store
 

Tofu/Bean Curd

Tofu is made from soy bean and is available as different types. Which one you buy depends on what your going to make. For making a dessert that requires a softer filling, then you would buy soft tofu. For adding tofu cubed or sliced to a rice or noodle dish; the firm or x firm type would be better. You can also buy tofu that has been seasoned. Popular ones are herb, vege, smoked, sirrachi.

It is easy to prepare and keep. For pan frying, cut the tofu into cubes or strip like pieces; then coat lightly by frying with canola, sesame, or olive oils. Tofu can also be deep fryed like any meat or fish; just dip in water or egg, cover with Japanese style bread crumbs or use tempura batter.

Tofu can be bought at your local Asian market, natural/organic food markets, and at most grocery stores. Asian markets carry the Japanese brands, while grocery stores carry non Japanese brands.

For adding to your sushi rolls: Buy the firm or x firm types. Cost is about $2- $2.50 per package. Once the package is opned the tofu needs to be placed in a covered container and filled with water enough to cover the tofu. Replace the water daily to keep it fresh. It is good for 1 week in fridge once opened.


Bean Curd is made from soy bean like tofu, however it is a somewhat different texture. A bean curd roll is good for slicing and frying(canola,sesame oil) or just cubing and adding to rice bowls and noodle bowls. Its' taste is unique compared to tofu. Bean curd can also be bought as sheets, and sheets or bean curd roll are available at your local Asian market. The cost for a roll is about $3.50

Imitation Crab

Imitation crab is already cooked and needs only to be cut suitable to the roll your making. Can be bought at most grocery stores in fresh meat/fish section, and sold at Walmart. Usually can buy as crab sticks, flakes, or pieces. Look for crab sticks if making sushi rolls or sushi nigiri sirimi(cooked imitation crab), and flakes or sticks can be used if making the California Roll.
 

Shrimp

Shrimp is a popular ingredient for sushi rolls, sushi nigiri, and sushi rice bowls.
There are three types of shrimp most used:tempura shrimp, breaded butterfly shrimp. and plain butterfly shrimp.

Shrimp Tempura is used in sushi rolls, and rice bowls, as well as an ingredient for some specialty rolls like the dynamite roll They are also a popular menu item for sushi bento boxes, which can include a serving of rice, vegetables, and your choice of meat or fish like tempura shrimp, or some maki rolls.

Shrimp tempura can be bought frozen at a grocery store and baked in the oven, usually 10-15 bake time. You can also make your own tempura batter by buying the 'tempura' batter mix which is available at Asian grocers. Just add cold water to the batter, add the cooked shrimp and fry for a few minutes.

Butterfly Shrimp are used on sushi nigiri shrimp,(breaded and plain) and also on some sushi rolls.


You can buy the breaded butterfly shrimp at grocery stores in the frozen section: just need to bake them for about 15 mins. Plain butterfly shrimp is usually pre cooked and can be bought frozen as well.

If you want to make your own breaded butterfly shrimp, first buy plain butterfly shrimp or make your own butterfly plain shrimp using pre cooked frozen shrimp. Then use Japanese bread crumbs(panko) to coat them and fry in some canola oil in fry pan.

Unfortunately, the plain butterfly cooked shrimp are not readily available at grocery or Asian grocers(least where I live), however, they can be bought online at fish retailers, and at Amazon.com. Amazon.ca does not have them as an item at this time, and Amazon.com does not ship them to Canada.

To butterfly the shrimp yourself, just buy the frozen(medium or large size) plain shrimp, then thaw and cut them to have the butterfly shape.

Shrimp is available in a variety of sizes from very small to jumbo size. The pre cooked frozen plain shrimp is available at most all grocery stores and walmart. To thaw them just leave them in the fridge for a few hours, then they are ready to eat. For making sushi rolls where you want to make your own breaded shrimp, such as the crunchie shrimp roll, these are ideal.

 

Smoked Salmon

Smoked Salmon, cooked, cost is about $5-9, for about 100 grams. It is thinly sliced so it is good to use on top of a sushi roll, or as an ingredient. As it is very thin slices, it cooks in a frying pan in just a few minutes. Walmart also sells this smoked salmon, in both a small and larger size package. Find it in the frozen fish/meat section.

Spicy Salmon

Spicy salmon, cooked, usually bought at the fish section at your local grocery store. Cost is about $6 for small package, enough for making a few sushi rolls, and can also be used as a fish topping for a 'sushi rice bowl'. You need to fry the salmon before making your sushi roll. Just add a tablespoon of canola oil to your frypan.
 

BBQ Eel

BBQ Eel, usually freshwater eel is used in Japan(unagi), and grilled with bbq sauce. Eel is mostly cooked for sushi rolls. Freshwater eel is not usually available at your local grocery store, but fish markets may carry it as a frozen product.

The label will say 'freshwater bbq eel', and it is usually pre-cooked. The cost varies, depending on the weight as with most fish, however, two good size fillets frozen will cost about $20. To prepare for your roll as an ingredient or topping, simply cut the fillet lengthwise, in thin pieces.

Popular topping for the 'dragon roll'.
 

Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki chicken, is usually made by cooking raw, lengthwise slices of chicken breast, in teriyaki sauce. Then is added to the sushi roll as ingredient.

RAW INGREDIENTS

tuna(magura)
salmon(sake)
shrimp
scallop(hotate)
tobiko(fish roe)
masago(fish roe)

Tuna and Salmon

Raw ingredients- tuna and salmon are two of the most common raw ingredients for sushi. Found in many local grocery store sushi and take out sushi. They are usually prepared - cut specifically for sushi, commonly known as 'sushi grade salmon' or 'sushi grade tuna'. They are not readily available at local grocery stores, but your local fish market may carry them.


 

Sushi Grade Tuna For Sushi

Tuna for sushi is usually frozen, it is red in color, and labelled as 'saku tuna', meaning a block of frozen raw tuna.
and the tuna used for sushi is most likely 'yellowfin', or 'blue fin'.

Blue fin tuna also has what is known as 'fatty tuna'(otoro, chutoro), from certain parts of the fish, which are the best tasting tuna cuts,(fattest) and costs the most. Otoro is also a lighter color(more pink) because it has more fat. The lesser priced pieces are more red; and less fatty.
A cut of 'yellowfin' or 'bluefin' (not otoro-chutoro cuts)are about the same price, however, the fatty cuts from 'blue fin' are the most expensive.

Cutting Tuna For Sushi Sashimi

To cut sushi grade tuna:

Remove frozen tuna and put in fridge; let it almost thaw completely, this will make it easier to cut,
cut tuna against the grain at about 30 degree angle,
cut at a thickness of about one quarter of a inch; usually, thinner tuna is not as flavourful,
Cut the tuna by pulling the knife towards you in one slice,
Use bamboo leaves or shiso to display raw tuna on serving dish.
View photos - block of raw tuna; and, how to cut raw tuna for sushi rolls, nigiri tuna, and sashimi tuna.

The local fish market here at Halifax, did not have any blue fin otoro or chutoro fatty cuts, but they did have the yellowfin and bluefin individual cuts and the 'blocks' frozen. A cut of tuna is about $3-4, while the tuna block will cost around $20.

White tuna is also used for sushi, which is albacore tuna.

Local Asian grocers do not usually carry the 'tuna or salmon' 'sushi grade, although they do have frozen tuna raw fish. This is not the same as 'sushi grade frozen tuna'.

About Raw Fish

You have to be very careful about using raw fish for your sushi. Buying raw fresh fish at your local fish market or at the grocery store, is not the raw fish that you would use on your sushi rolls.

Raw fish for sushi has to be frozen at a certain temperature for a length of time which then gives it the 'sushi grade' distinction. The temperature varies as does the freezing time, although usually the colder the freeze the shorter time it requires. And, there is also a 'superfreeze' whereby fish are cleaned right on the boat, and then put into a super freezing freezer where they are super frozen quickly.

The freezing is what eliminates possibility of getting ill from the raw fish.

The term "sushi grade" carries no standards with it, it is merely a term used to define raw fish that has been frozen or super frozen for the use in sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. So it is the consumer who must ensure they buy 'sushi grade' at their local fish market or if buying it online.

Make sure to buy 'sushi grade frozen' for tuna or salmon, or any other fish your going to use raw on your sushi.

If you live in USA, you can buy pre frozen sushi grade butterfly shrimp, tuna, and salmon online, at Amazon.com and a few independent seller websites. Just search for 'sushi grade tuna', and easily find websites selling tuna, salmon, and fish roe(tobiko,masago). I did not find any seller that shipped these items to Canada.

To learn how to cut a tuna block for sushi, View here

Sushi chefs spend years honing their craft for cutting the many types of fish they use in making sushi, and learning how to properly prepare raw fish.
 

Tobiko and Masago

Masago and Tobiko -fish roe, these can be bought in different colors, are added to top of rolls for appearance and they taste good. Popular colors are: black, orange, green, yellow.


Can be bought online if you live in the USA - Amazon.com sells them. Amazon.com does not ship any tobiko, or mssago, to Canada, and Amazon.ca, at time of this writing, did not carry them as a product.

For Asian markets in my area (Halifax), I was only able to find masago, fish roe. Cost is about $6 per 100grams, small container.

Fish markets sell them as well, frozen, and can buy usually in 1 lb quantity. Masago cost is approximately $12-14 per lb, and tobiko is more expensive about $30 per lb. Masago is usually orange in color, tobiko is black in color.

Tobiko tends to cost more than masago, and although their tastes are similar, apparently tobiko has a more crunchy texture. Masago is from artic fish, while tobiko is from flying fish.

Condiments - Garnishes - Toppings

Wasabi- with sushi roll on dish, can be eaten
Pickled ginger- with sushi roll on dish, can be eaten
Fish Roe(masago and tobiko) - topping for some rolls.

Japanese Mayo- topping on some rolls like Dynamite roll
Japanese Spicy Sauce(sirrachi)- topping on some rolls like spicy california roll
Wafu Japanese Mayo Spicy - topping for california rolls and any roll
Wafu Japanese Sesame Mayo - topping for vege rolls or veges on sushi rice bowl

Sesame Oil - used on sushi rice bowls and noodle dishes(broth ingredient)
Roasted Sesame Oil - used on sushi rice bowls, and noodle dishes(broth ingredient)
Soy Sauce- served with nigiri and sushi rolls
Shoyu (Japanese soy sauce)-served with nigiri, sushi rolls
Unagi(fish sauce)- served with nigiri and sashimi (raw sliced fish)
Teriyaki sauce -used in cooking and as a topping

Roasted sesame seeds-topping on many rolls, sprinkled
Furikake - katsuo fumi(fish flavour)- spice, added to some rolls as topping or on rice before rolling

Furikake - ebi(shrimp flavour)- spice, added as roll topping or on rice before rolling
Furikake - salmon - spice, as roll topping or on rice before rolling
Furikake - yasai fumi(vege flavour) - spice, as roll topping or on rice before rolling

Furikake can also be used on rice in rice bowls and on noodles in noodle bowls.

Ingredient - an item within the sushi roll
Topping- an item added on top of the rolled sushi roll(condiment, fish, veges, spices)
 

Condiments, Garnishes

Condiments, garnishes, are used mostly on top of the sushi rolls, but some can be used to add flavour on an ingredient as it is being cooked or added with the rice on nora, before rolling it.

Examples:

Teriyaki sauce is added to chicken when cooking it and drizzled over the chicken on the nora just before rolling it, and drizzled on top of the roll.

Roasted sesame seeds are often sprinkled on top of rolls, but can also be added to the rice before rolling it.
 

Roasted Sesame Seeds

Roasted sesame seeds add to the appearance of a sushi roll and they also have a nice taste. You can buy at most Asian grocers, and grocery stores that sell fresh sushi usually sell them as well. Make sure to buy roasted as they look and taste better than regular sesame seeds. Usually few dollars for small bottle or container. You can also buy plain sesame seeds and the dark sesame seeds and just mix them together.

Furikake Spices

Furikake is a common Japanese seasoning used in sushi rolls, for toppings on sushi rolls, and used on sushi rice and noodle bowls. Several flavours are available including; shrimp flavour(ebi fumi), salmon(salmon fumi), fish flavour(katsuo fumi), wasabi flavour(wasabi fumi), vegetable flavours(yasai fumi), and wakame flakes.

The cost is about $5-6 for a 50 gram bottle. Can be bought at Asian grocery stores.

Pickled Ginger and Wasabi

Pickled ginger is added to the serving dish of sushi rolls. Wasabi is added to the serving dish as well, and used as a topping on nigiri (on rice), and is used when serving sashimi(raw fish slices).

Wasabi

Wasabi is available at most Asian grocers. It is expensive, costing $3-4 for just 40grams. Very potent tasting, a small dab is all that is required, especially so if your eating it.

Apparently, Wasabi takes many months to grow and is grown mostly in Japan, which is probably why it cost so much.

There is also wasabi made with horseradish that is colored like wasabi. It is somewhat less potent in flavour and usually cheaper than the 'authentic wasabi'. Some brands cost about the same as real wasabi but you get about 250 grams. Real wasabi has a much firmer texture, more like a paste.

Pickled Ginger

Pickled ginger, white or pink, is eaten between different types of sushi to cleanse the pallet. It is not as potent as wasabi but does have a strong flavour. When you order sushi rolls you will have a dab of pickled ginger and wasabi added to your serving dish. Grocery stores that sell sushi usually sell pickled ginger in a bottle, and can buy at your local Asian market. To buy, about $4-5 per jar. Aaian markets also have larger quantity size.

Japanese Mayo

Japanese mayo is available at Asian grocery store, cost is about $10. Used on sushi specialty rolls like the 'dynamite roll', along with teriyaki sauce.

Spicy Mayo

Sirrachi - spicy japanese mayo - is used as a topping on certain sushi rolls, like the spicy california roll. It is orange in color and somewhat spicy. Can buy as Asian grocer and some grocery stores, and Walmart sells it also in the chinese/international section. Sell for $4-6 per bottle.

Wafu Spicy Mayo

Is available at walmart and some Asian markets. Good on california roll or any roll with veges. It is somewhat milder than 'sirrachi spicy mayo'.

Wafu Sesame Mayo

Japanese sesame mayo is available at Asian grocery stores, and at walmart, usually about $4, for a bottle. Used on the vege rolls, and for dipping veges like cucumbers and mushrooms.

Soy Sauce and Unagi

Soy sauce and unagi fish sauce are used for dipping fish mostly. Sushi nigiri and sashimi(raw fish only) are the two types of sushi where these sauces are common. Soy sauce, of course, can be bought in any grocery store, whereas Japanese shoyu(soy sauce) can be bought at Asian grocer. Unagi, is found at Asian grocer also, costing a few dollars per bottle.

Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is available at Asian grocers. Grocery stores usually sell it. Look for 'teriyaki sauce' not, 'teriyaki sauce and marinate'. Also look for Asian brand, or kinkoman brand. Per bottle cost is about $4-$6, per 300-400 grams at grocery store, Asian grocers may be more expensive.

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Nori

Nori is the roasted seaweed used to roll sushi. It can be purchased in many grocery stores, especially those that sell fresh sushi. Asian grocers also sell nori, and may be a better place to buy it because they are more likely to sell it in larger quantities. Buying half sheets is also recommended, as most 'roll types' use half sheets.

You can cut the nori in half if you buy full sheets. Popular quantities are 10 packs(full sheets), 50 packs(full/half), 100 packs(half sheets), and 200 packs(half sheets). Prices can be $3_4 for 10s, to $21 for 200 half sheets. Shelf life is usually many months, and larger quantities uaually have zip-like closure and 'keep-fresh' pouch included.

Rice

Rice is probably the most important sushi ingredient. Rice used for sushi is a 'short grain' rice, and probably not a rice you would buy otherwise. You can use the 'white short grain' or the 'brown short grain, although white rice is most often used. It is glutinous in texture, and once cooked- sticky, which is necessary for rolling sushi. It is very good to eat on its own, and can be topped with oils(roasted sesame oil) or spices.

There are several 'sushi rice brands' to choose from; less expensive to more expensive, prices from $2.50 per 1 kg to $10 per 1kg. Once you decide on a brand you like, you can buy it in a larger quantity, most brands offer 2kg(4lb), and 6kg(15lb), and some Asian markets have them available in 40lbs as well.

Some retailers have sushi rice, like Walmart. Asian grocers have more selection and usually the better brands. Rice, like nori, has a shelf life of many months. Also read:

Buying Sushi Rice - Best Sushi Rice Brands | How to make sushi rice

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