You can indeed learn to make sushi quickly and prepare your first rolls merely with the aid of sushi making kits. However, be aware that it takes years of practice to become a true sushi master or an ¨Itamae¨ as they call in Japan. Assuming you are not planning to enter any sushi making contests with your initial attempts, I have an easy solution for you. Consider purchasing one of the best sushi making kits. It would be an excellent solution for your quest to making tasty sushi at home whenever you crave some.

The more you do it, the better they will look and taste. In the end, it is a hands-on experience, and you will eventually get better with each roll you form. Sushi and pizza are two of my all-time favorite foods to prepare simply for the fact that I can be as creative as I want. Consider the rice and nori as the only fundamental ingredients for your sushi. And the rest can be any food you prefer as long as it is edible and make sense, at least to you! In fact, enhancing essential sushi recipes with ethnic ingredients is a great route for diversification.

Best Sushi Making Kits

The following sushi making kits are perfect for both the beginner and experienced cooks. You can choose the best one that fits into your budget. My favorite picks are the ones that take advantage of molds that allow you to roll the rice in them. However, other models with plastic extruders (sushi bazooka) are remarkable too. Once you gain experience, you will probably move towards the bamboo sets; the most popular method among seasoned sushi chefs.

1. AYA Sushi Maker Deluxe | Premium Selection
2. Bamboo Sushi Making Kit | Budget Selection
3. SushiQuik Sushi Making Kit
4. Sushi Bazooka Maker – All in one Sushi Making Kit | Bazooka Selection
5. DODY Sushi Making Kit – Unique Fancy Shapes

√ – Premium Selection

AYA Sushi Maker Deluxe

No wonder AYA labeled its sushi kit as a perfect match for cooks at all levels. Regardless of your experience, you can make easy and fancy sushi in no time. The company achieved the right balance with high-quality design and ease of use. Oh, did I mention that it sells like bread and butter? Keep in mind that not every kitchen tool gets thousands of 5-star reviews like the AYA sushi kit.

The reason I selected this set as premium is because it has all the deluxe features plus a high-quality sushi knife that is razor-sharp. And, of course, it is no secret that I am a big fan of mold-based models. I consider them hassle-free! Meaning, you don’t have to squeeze out the rice from a tube, or roll it with a mat. Instead, you just put the nori inside the mold and fill it with the rice and other ingredients. There is a special plastic bar that you use for making a dent in the middle of the pressed rice. This is so convenient to open up an even space in the center for adding other ingredients, which in turn yields amazing looking sushi. There are different mold shapes including round, square, heart, etc. Select the one you like and impress your guests.

Tip Alert

Line any of the plastic sushi molds with plastic wrap or parchment paper first, and add the rice then nori to make Uramaki—inside-out rolls easily.

Do not worry about how and from where to slice the sushi rolls. You can cut equal pieces since there are marks on the plastic molds for the portions. No need to guess or measure by your thumb. By the way, all the plastics are made from food grade, BPA free material. Cleaning is easy since all parts are dishwasher safe. Once you are done, throw them all in the machine. Aya sushi maker is as durable as it gets. That is why the company provides a lifetime warranty.

What else? You get exclusive online video tutorials that teach how to prepare glamorous sushi with step-by-step instructions. The rice fork and nonstick spatula are all included for your convenience.

Features:

• Includes different molds as heart, round, etc.
• Made from non-toxic plastic material (PP & P5); Certified BPA free
• Comes with rice fork and nonstick spatula
• All parts are dishwasher safe
• 100% Satisfaction or refund

√ – Budget Selection

Bamboo Sushi Making Kit

If you are looking for a budget solution and also want to make sushi the traditional way, then this best-seller sushi kit with bamboo mats is the right choice for you. Delamu Store’s sushi kit is economical, yet includes top quality utensils. Note that you don’t get any mold or bazooka. You need to lay the nori on the mat and add everything else on top. For that, I highly recommend covering the mat with plastic wrap first. Trust me, shaping the roll will be much easier and nothing will stick on it. Therefore, cleaning it will be a breeze afterward.

I love bamboo mats, and you should do so too! They are naturally antibacterial and water-resistant, providing us maximum hygiene in the kitchen. I think this is vital since we are constantly dealing with raw fish when making sushi. Make sure to store the bamboo mat correctly; keep it away from direct sunlight and dry thoroughly before storage.

This kit comes with a detailed PDF guide (emailed after purchase) that is full with tips and recipes. I think it is a great beginner’s set for those who are on the budget. On the other hand, it is an excellent selection for the seasoned sushi chefs.

Features:

• Includes 2 bamboo mats, 5 pairs of chopsticks, rice paddle and spreader
• Made from 100% bamboo
• 100% Satisfaction or your money back

SushiQuik Sushi Making Kit

Here is another complete sushi kit that is also one of the bestsellers out there. Consider this model as semi mold-based. Let me explain in depth. In order to make sushi with this one, you need to roll the rice onto the pre-measured rice frame initially. You can either lay the nori or the rice first depending on what type of sushi you are making. Once you add all the ingredients, you take off the rice frame and roll the mat to form the sushi roll. This part is similar to shaping the sushi with a bamboo mat.

Next, you need to place the sushi roll inside the roll cutter, which is basically a plastic mold with pre-measured sections that you can insert the knife for cutting the roll in equal portions. Definitely saves your fingers while keeping the sliced rolls firm.

Do not be discouraged with the steps mentioned. SushiQuick is an incredibly practical sushi maker. Anyone can prepare extraordinary delicacy with this. The only part you can go wrong would be deciding how much rice to add on the frame. However, you should perfect it with a few attempts.

Cleaning is easy since all parts are dishwasher safe. Note that it does not include any knife.

Features:

• Includes rice frame and plastic mat
• Made from non-toxic plastic material (PP & P5); Certified BPA free
• Comes with rice paddle and roll cutter
• All parts are dishwasher safe

√ – Bazooka Selection

Sushi Bazooka – All-in-one Sushi Making Kit

Some cooks prefer sushi bazookas. It is a different method where you fill everything except the nori in a tube-like plastic mold. Once you are done with the ingredients, you close the mold with its twin lid. In simplest terms, it turns into a tube filled with sushi rice. To me; it feels like I am squeezing out sushi from a very large-size plastic needle. I always check the material used carefully when it comes to sushi bazookas. With some models, squeezing out the rice can turn into a serious trouble. First of all, you should not have to push hard if the bazooka is a quality one. No worries, though, since I got you covered. This sushi bazooka from FUNGYAND is a bestseller that is loved by thousands of users. It comes with a top-quality sushi knife and other needed utensils such as the bamboo mat (2 of them), avocado slicer, rice paddle, spreader, silicone brush, chopsticks, and more.

All parts are dishwasher safe, so cleaning is a snap. Besides, they are all made from food grade material. Plastics are BPA free. If it came with a roll cutter, then I might have considered this one as the premium selection for my best sushi kits list.

I think it is a perfect kit to make seamless round-shape sushi rolls.

Features:

• Includes free recipe book
• Made from food grade material (bamboo and plastic)
• Easy to clean; dishwasher safe
• Includes rice paddle, rice spreader, and avocado slicer

DODY Sushi Making Kit – Unique Fancy Shapes

This set is perfect if you are in search for making creatively shaped sushi rolls at home. It includes 4 different molds for preparing delicious sushi in various forms as heart, round, square, triangle, etc. All you need is to decide which mold you like, and the rest is adding the nori, steamed rice, and other ingredients.

Follow the simple instructions in the user manual, and you are all set. You will be surprised that no rolling needed. Besides, you can make perfect slices each time since all the molds have pre-measured slots for making even slices. All parts are made from food grade material.

Additionally, the set comes with free rice fork and nonstick spatula. Note that the sushi knife is not included. However, you can get yourself a razor-sharp knife if you are familiar with the Japanese style knives.

Overall, the DODY 11-piece sushi making kit is an impressive model. You get every type of mold that you can dream. A great way to make decorative sushi that would impress even the picky eaters.

Features:

• Includes 4 different molds as triangle, heart, round, square, etc.
• Made from non-toxic plastic material; BPA free
• Includes rice fork and nonstick spatula
• Dishwasher safe
• 100% Satisfaction or refund

Is Sushi Healthy?

Sushi is a delicacy filled with healthy nutrients, especially when made with fatty fish. Undoubtedly a low-calorie and high-protein dish, a typical salmon sushi contains Omega 3, iron Vitamins A, B-16, C and most importantly Vitamin D.  In general, it is enriched with superfood ingredients such as avocado, salmon, tuna, asparagus, carrot, and more. Try making your sushi with brown rice or quinoa, and opt for only steamed, grilled, or raw ingredients for maximum nutrition. Last but not least, do not forget ginger and wasabi, and stay away from any fried meat or creamy sauces inside the rolls.

How do you make the perfect sushi roll?

Three steps are vital if your goal is to make perfect sushi. You should pay extra attention when preparing the sushi rice with vinegar so that it does not become a paste. The second most important step is to make the roll super tight that it stays together neatly. Last but not least, you need to have equal and firm slices. If you completed the first two steps appropriately, then obtaining a high-quality sushi knife would be adequate for achieving the third step.

What is nori?

The edible seaweed that is used to wrap the sushi or onigiri is called nori. It is a Japanese word that gained universal acceptance. Talking about rich nutrients, nori is full of vitamins and fiber. Vitamin B-6, A, and C are just a few of them. Moreover, the calorie count is fairly low; a single sheet of nori usually has an average of 2 calories. It is a delicious and nutritious wrap that you can use creatively for many different foods not just rice and sushi.

How to make sushi rice?

I think it would be fair to say that vinegar added rice is probably the most crucial ingredient when making sushi or sashimi. In other words, it is the foundation along with nori that we build the roll with secondary ingredients as fish and vegetables. Therefore, special attention must be paid while preparing to avoid over stickiness. Keep in mind that making rice paste is not acceptable. Besides, it diminishes both the taste and the visual aspects of the sushi roll significantly. The good news is that preparing this essential sushi ingredient is not a complicated process. Once you cook the rice correctly, the rest mostly involves adding adequate vinegar. You can take advantage of rice cookers if you think it is a hassle to prepare the rice on stovetop in a pot.

Japanese call the sushi rice as “Shari”. You might also have heard the phrase “sushi-meshi”, which is special rice explicitly produced for sushi making. It is easy to find in most grocery stores. If not, you should look for small-grain or medium-grain types.

Perfect sushi rice: In simplest terms, your goal is to make fluffy steamed-rice enriched with rice vinegar.

Tip Alert

Add a tablespoon of vinegar per 1 glass of rice to the water when cooking. By taking advantage of this method, you can effectively remove a significant portion of the starch while still being able to keep the fluffiness.

Is rice vinegar made from rice?

Rice vinegar is produced from fermented rice. It is highly popular in Asia since by being one of the main ingredients when making sushi. It is goal is to enrich the flavor of the rice and complement the raw fish by doing so.

Steamed rice recipe for sushi

Making steamed-rice is not a complicated process. The only important part is to be careful not to turn the rice into a paste. It needs to be fluffy in order to make mouth watering rolls. You can do it in a pan or use a rice-cooker. The choice is up to you! Both methods will produce tasty rice for your sushi rolls.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 3 cups cold water
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil (or any other healthy oil you prefer as long as it is liquid)
• Salt to taste (In general, 1 teaspoon should be adequate)

Directions:

1. Rinse the rice under running cold water with colander.
2. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Pour the water into pan.
4. Add the olive oil. (You can skip this step if you want your rice fat-free).
5. Add the salt and stir a bit.
6. Close the lid and bring it to boil.
7. Add the rice into the pan and close the lid again.
8. The rice should cook approximately in 20 minutes or so. Try not to open the lid much.
9. Cool the rice for 15 to 20 minutes lid closed.
10. Pour the rice vinegar over the cooked rice and mix gently.

How to tell if the steamed rice is cooked?

Check to see if the rice is soft and the water is evaporated fully. If the rice is still hard, then you should add extra water (2-3 tablespoons) and cook at low heat for additional 5-6 minutes.

I recommend using a pot with glass top. You can check on the status of the rice without opening the lid.

Tip Alert

Once the rice is fully cooked, tear 2-3 sheets of paper towel and place it on top of the rice and re-close the lid. You can get rid of the extra stem with this method. The paper towels will get watery within 10 minutes.

How to cook sushi rice in the rice cooker?

Prepare the amounts as indicated in the manual of the cooker for the regular steamed-rice recipe. You can also use the amounts listed above. Close the lid, select the appropriate setting (white rice), and press start. Once it is cooked, take it out and pour rice vinegar evenly. Mix gently with plastic or wooden spoon. I recommend using a rice spatula for best results.

In Conclusion

Whether you are experienced or a novice sushi maker, consider getting yourself a practical sushi making kit. It makes your life easier, and you can rather focus on your recipe instead of techniques. You have three options for that matter; a classic set with a bamboo mat, a mold-based sushi set, or a set with sushi bazooka. All three options can produce amazing sushi. However, I suggest you start with a mold-based set if you are a new to sushi making. First of all, no rolling required, which is probably the most complicate part if you are a newbie. Nevertheless, you can move to the traditional bamboo version as you evolve as a sushi-chef in time with proper practice. Note that bamboo mats provide the safest process health wise since they are naturally water-resistant and antibacterial.