Are you in the mood to order Japanese seafood? In case you get a recommendation from your friends: some will say to give a try to Sushi; others will say that tasting Sashimi is a must. Some friends use Sushi and Sashimi interchangeably for the same dish.
Although many people think that Sashimi is a type of Sushi, it’s nothing but a misconception. Are you getting confused about both Japanese cuisines? It’s okay, no need to put your mind under stress as I’m writing this post to make a clear difference between Sushi and Sashimi. After reading this post, you would know how Sushi is quite different from Sashimi in its presentation and the nutritional values and recipes. Continue reading and explore more.
What is Sushi?
Whenever you search about the top 10 best Japanese Seafood, then Sushi pops up on the top because this cuisine is famous worldwide. Sushi means “Sour Tasting” you must keep in mind this meaning because it helps you differentiate Sushi from Sashimi. Whenever there is a sour taste in a dish, then it’s Sushi, not Sashimi.
Variations in Sushi
The main ingredient of Sushi is vinegar-soaked rice; if there is no rice in the dish, it’s not a Sushi at all. The difference between Sushi and Sashimi is vinegar rice. In traditional Sushi, another must ingredient is raw fish. With the rising popularity of this dish in different parts of the world, you get a chance to taste many different modern variations of Sushi.
In some countries, you will see Sushi-only restaurants and café where you can taste a wide assortment. Modern chefs are adding more ingredients to the recipe to boost up their nutritional value and flavor. The most common ingredients of Sushi are cooked seafood, veggies, and meats.
What is Sashimi?
It is another most popular Japanese food that comes in varied forms. Sashimi means “pierced fish.” When a chef serves thin slices of fresh and raw seafood then it’s Sashimi.
Variations in Sashimi
Raw seafood is the main ingredient of this cuisine; it’s not Sashimi if there is no raw seafood. In almost every other restaurant, two commonly available Sashimi dishes are made of either Tuna or Salmon. Typically, salt-water fish is served to customers as fresh-water fish poses some health concerns due to parasites’ high risks.
However, if you are in a mood to try some other flavors, ask for Sashimi made of clams, octopus, mackerel, yellowtail, or shrimps.
The Difference Between Sushi and Sashimi
Main Ingredient Difference
- Vinegar rice is an ingredient that makes sushi “A real Sushi.” It’s the only thing to remember.
- A thin slice of raw seafood is the main sign of Sashimi. Although chefs tend to serve Sashimi with rice, rice is not the main ingredient.
Another difference between Sushi and Sashimi is the number of ingredients. You need to spend more money on making Sushi as it requires more ingredients than Sashimi. Besides, you will spend more time cooking Sushi than Sashimi. It’s not that hard to create perfect Sashimi. Interestingly, chefs spend years perfecting sushi-making skills. Cooking Sushi is more like perfecting the art of presentation.
Nutritional Values
There is a difference between Sushi and Sashimi based on their nutritional values; let’s find out more.
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Sushi Recipe
As I told you before, you can’t master this recipe in one attempt. Practice will let you cook the perfect Sushi. Make sure to buy the following ingredients before you follow my recipe.
Ingredients
- One and Half Cup uncooked Rice
- 1/4 Cup Rice Vinegar
- Raw Sea-food (optional)
- Seaweed
As soon as you hit the supermarket, you would be able to explore a wide variety of rice. If you are in luck, then you can find sushi-specific rice. Don’t think much; grab them to get the same taste you experience in a restaurant.
How to Make Sushi
- First of all, prepare your sushi rice. Mix water with rice and then cook it in a rice cooker. Some people rinse rice while others don’t. You can go with a cooking style you usually follow. Once your rice is ready, then it’s time to season it properly. If you get hands-on rice vinegar, then toss it with your rice. Make sure that you don’t flatten or mash your rice in the mixing process. In case you don’t get rice vinegar, then you need to dissolve sugar and salt in vinegar.
- The next step is to slice your raw food. Get a fish fillet and cut it into small pieces to make some strips. Also, cut down avocado or slice of cheese into strips.
- Set a bamboo mat on your kitchen counter, and then spread seaweed over it. Now set a layer of rice on this seaweed with a rice paddle. Put fish, avocado, or cheese strips on rice.
- Use the bamboo mat to make a perfect roll.
- Use a sharp knife to cut these rolls.
- Serve your sushi rolls with wasabi, soy sauce, and pickled ginger.
Sashimi Recipe
Ingredients
- Long fillets of Salmon or Tuna Fish: You don’t need any seafood but sashimi-grade seafood. Ask your fishmonger for long fillets of Salmon or tuna. Although you can go with other varieties, it’s good to start from commonly used fish. You need to get at least 3-4 cm thick fillet fish. Later you will trim it into small blocks, where each block will be 5cm wide and 2cm thick. It would help if you had fresh seafood to make Sashimi.
- Wasabi
- Pickled Ginger
- Shredded White Radish
- Japanese Soy Sauce
- Shiso Leaves
How to Make Sashimi
You can make Sashimi in less than fifteen minutes.
- The first step is to slice the fillet. You need to follow the cutting fish technique here. You will hold fish from one hand and use your next hand to slice the fish against the grain into thin slices. Don’t hesitate while slicing the fish fillet; make sure you pull the knife through from base to tip in one stroke.
- The second step is to dish out all the slices. Decorate them with leaves and serve them with the remaining ingredients.
- This freshly made Sashimi contains 6.9grams of fat and 204Kcal.
Wrap up
After reading this article, you can easily make a difference between Sushi and Sashimi. If you want low-calories, go with Sashimi but don’t forget to try various Sushi flavors as it’s a must-have thing to taste.
Also Read: Difference Between Chow Mein and Chop Suey
