Taste for Thought

Home-made sushi

Sushi
Basics

Welcome to our sushi section! This is hands down one of our favorite things to prepare in the kitchen, especially when we can use freshly harvested vegetables. In this first section, you will find all the sushi basics: how to prepare the perfect rice, how to plan a complete sushi dinner, and how to master specialty techniques like fried uramaki.

Ready to get rolling? Scroll down to discover our full collection of specific recipes and inspiration, featuring everything from fresh seafood and meat to vibrant vegetarian and vegan options!

Sushi - learning the basics

Sushi has become one of the world’s most beloved foods, admired for its artistry, delicacy, and balance of flavors. Though it originated in Japan centuries ago, sushi is now enjoyed globally in both restaurants and at home. For anyone who has admired the precision of sushi chefs and wondered how to try making it themselves, the process may at first seem daunting. However, with some preparation, the right ingredients, and a careful understanding of technique, sushi-making can

Sushi is often synonymous with fresh seafood, but for the vegetarian, the sushi counter offers a different kind of bounty. This chapter explores the "middle path" of sushi—one that embraces the richness of eggs and dairy while strictly avoiding all animal flesh.

Vegetarian sushi allows us to maintain some of the most beloved textures in modern sushi—like the silky richness of a Philadelphia roll or the savory sweetness of a traditional Japanese omelet—without compromising ethical or dietary choices. Here, we balance the crisp freshness of the garden with the savory depth of animal-free proteins. For Vegan Sushi, scroll down!

Sushi
Recipes

Crispy Chicken Maki Sushi rolls home made recipe.

Crispy Chicken Sushi Maki

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when Japanese sushi tradition collides—with zero regrets—into crunchy, golden fried chicken, the answer is Crispy Chicken Sushi Maki . While sushi has its origins in ancient Southeast Asia as a method of preserving fish in fermented rice, modern maki sushi (rolled sushi) became popular in Japan during the Edo period and typically features raw seafood or vegetables. But fusion variations have since taken over the global food scene, introdu

Chrispy chicken uramaki rolls home made sushi recipe.

Fried Crispy Chicken Uramaki – A Crunchy Fusion Roll

Uramaki—often called an inside-out sushi roll —first became popular in the United States in the 1960s when sushi chefs flipped traditional maki to appeal to American diners. Instead of the nori being on the outside, uramaki wraps the rice on the exterior , giving it a softer mouthfeel and a perfect canvas for sesame seeds or roe. This Fried Crispy Chicken Uramaki takes that concept and cranks the comfort level up to eleven. Combining golden fried crispy chicken, creamy avoca

Tempura Shrimp Nigiri

Nigiri is a traditional form of sushi where a small bed of seasoned rice is pressed and topped with an ingredient. While classic nigiri often features raw seafood, modern interpretations have embraced cooked elements. Tempura Shrimp Nigiri (often called Ebi Tempura Nigiri ) is a prime example, offering a delightful contrast: the warm, crispy texture of the fried shrimp against the cool, vinegary sushi rice. For this recipe, we're taking the ultimate shortcut: using store-bou

California sushi roll home made recipe with surimi

The California Roll

When most people think of "gateway sushi," they think of the California Roll . It is creamy, crunchy, savory, and—perhaps most importantly for the some, completely devoid of raw fish. Instead, the star of the show is surimi (imitation crab), paired with the cucumber, avocado, and sushi rice. But before we get to the sticky business of making one, let’s look at how this inside-out icon conquered the world. The origin of the California Roll is a subject of heated culinary deba

Fried Crispy Tempura Shrimp Uramaki recipe

The Fried Crispy Tempura Shrimp Uramaki is a popular style of sushi roll that offers a delightful contrast in textures and flavors. As an Uramaki (literally "inside-out roll"), the rice is on the exterior. Standard Uramaki rolls are often dusted with sesame seeds or roe, while the nori (seaweed) wraps the fillings. For this specific roll the sushi rice on the outside is coated with tempura (or egg) en then dipped in panko. Funally it is fried for a double crunchy effect! The

Salmon Nigiri Sushi Recipe

Nigiri sushi (hand-pressed sushi) is often regarded as the purest form of sushi. Unlike sushi rolls (maki) which can hide behind spicy mayo and avocado, or sashimi (fish) which lacks the textural contrast of rice grains, nigiri relies entirely on the harmonious relationship between two ingredients: the sushi rice and the topping. In this article you will learn some easy steps to make Salmon Nigiri sushi recipe at home. Don't miss our on our other delicious sushi recipes !

sushi surimi roll easy tasti imitation crab krab japanese

Surimi Sushi Roll

The surimi sushi roll is an easy version of the well known California Roll . The ingredients are the same, although the sushi is rolled in its original manner with the rice on the inside. This preparation typically features three core ingredients: surimi (imitation crab), cucumber, and avocado. It is widely considered the "gateway sushi" for Western palates because it lacks raw fish and utilizes familiar textures. When you make this version in crispy fried urumaki style it is

Fried Surimi Uramaki home-made recipe

While traditional Japanese sushi emphasizes the purity of raw fish and vinegared rice, the global expansion of Japanese cuisine has birthed a distinct culinary sub-genre: Western-style sushi. At the forefront of this category is the Uramaki , or "inside-out roll." Unlike the traditional maki where the nori (seaweed) wraps the exterior, Uramaki places the rice on the outside. This innovation is widely attributed to Japanese chefs in Los Angeles during the late 1960s and 1970s,

Experience the savory side of sushi with our curated selection of recipes featuring seafood and meats. This section highlights the umami-packed ingredients that make sushi a global favorite, ranging from fish preparations to cooked delicacies like tempura shrimp and more. Perfect for main courses or sharing platters, these recipes prioritize high-quality proteins that take center stage on your plate.

Explore the endless possibilities of pairing perfectly seasoned rice with your favorite cuts of seafood and meat. While this section focuses exclusively on animal proteins, we have plenty of fresh options for those avoiding meat. Looking for plant-based bites? Simply check the section below to find our full list of delicious vegan and vegetarian sushi recipes.

Vegetarian Sushi
Recipes

Tamagoyaki Nigiri (Egg/Omelet) Recipe

When you think of sushi, your mind probably jumps straight to raw fish (sashimi). But let's pause for a moment and give this dish a bit more attention then you would normally give: Tamagoyaki Nigiri. Also called Egg Nigiri or Omelet Nigiri (Omelette Nigiri for our UK friends). In Japanese, tamago means "egg" and yaki means "grilled" or "fried." But this isn't your weekend brunch omelet. Tamagoyaki is a sweet, savory, multi-layered Japanese rolled omelet, made by cooking thin

When most people hear the word "sushi," their minds immediately conjure images of raw fish. However, in the true linguistic and historical sense of the word, fish is merely a passenger.

This chapter invites you to reimagine the art of sushi through a plant-based lens. We are moving beyond the simple cucumber roll (though a crisp Kappa Maki has its place!) and stepping into a world of culinary alchemy. Vegan sushi is not about subtraction or imitation; it is about celebrating the vast diversity of the plant kingdom to create bites that are visually stunning, texturally complex, and bursting with umami.

Vegan
Sushi
Recipes

Vegan Tempura Shrimp Uramaki

The world of vegan Japanese food has exploded lately, and nothing highlights this more than the availability of plant-based shrimp substitutes. Brands like Sophie’s Kitchen , The Vegetarian Butcher , or Happiee! have perfected the texture of shrimp using konjac, soy, or pea protein. These store-bought vegan shrimp are usually already breaded or ready for a quick fry, making them the perfect centerpiece for a crunchy, satisfying uramaki sushi roll (inside-out roll). More sush

The Art of Vegan Nigiri: Crispy Shrimp Edition

When it comes to vegan seafood substitutes, the "shrimp" category has seen some innovation lately. Often made from a blend of special flour, soy protein, or seaweed extracts, these store-bought vegan options can mimic the "snap" and oceanic sweetness of real crustaceans perfectly. For this Vegan Tempura Shrimp Nigiri, we take these plant-based wonders, give them a crispy golden finish, and seat them atop a pedestal of perfectly vinegared sushi rice. Image: On the left Egg Nig

The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Surimi Uramaki

Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or just experimenting with plant-based seafood substitutes , the search for a satisfying vegan surimi recipe usually ends in disappointment. Most "vegan crab" options lack the texture or the "wow" factor. However, you can mask some of the lack of tecture by using high-quality plant-based surimi and applying a crispy tempura fry to the sushi roll, we transform a simple uramaki (inside-out roll) into a fried uramaki experience. Why you don’t fi

Cucumber Nigiri - Vegan Sushi

When people think of sushi, they often picture fish, but the world of vegan sushi is vast, and delicious, just let your imagination go wild! Cucumber Nigiri captures the essence of Japanese minimalism. In Japan, the most famous minimalistic cucumber roll is known as Kappa Maki. Translating this to nigiri style offers a refreshing, textural experience. It focuses on the crisp snap of fresh vegetable against the soft, seasoned rice. Because cucumber has a high water content,

Oshinko Maki Sushi Roll

Classic vegan sushi roll recipe with pickled radish (Daikon / rettich). Oshinko Maki (pickled radish roll) is a staple of traditional sushi This specific type of sushi is classified as Hosomaki (thin roll), characterized by having the nori (seaweed) on the outside and containing only one ingredient inside. The distinct bright yellow color of the radish—often the first thing diners notice—traditionally comes from the fermentation process involving turmeric. In modern mass p

home-made vegan fried oshinko uramaki sushi recipe.

Vegan Fried Oshinko Uramaki home-made recipe

This guide covers everything you need to know about crafting the perfect Fried Oshinko Uramaki . In normal english, this is a fried version of the inside-out sushi roll with pickled radish (rettich) sushi roll. Whether you are a vegan sushi enthusiast or just someone who believes everything tastes better deep-fried, this dish offers a spectacular contrast of textures: hot, crispy panko on the outside, soft vinegared rice in the middle, and a cold, crunchy snap of pickled daik

vegan vegetarian crispy chicken sushi roll maki

Vegan Crispy "Chicken" Sushi Roll

The vegan crispy chicken sushi roll is a Western-style rolled sushi that serves as a plant-based alternative to the chicken katsu roll . The dish consists of vinegared sushi rice layered onto sheets of dried nori seaweed. The central filling comprises a breaded plant-based protein patty that has been fried or baked, paired with sliced cucumber and sliced avocado. This combination offers a complex textural interplay, contrasting the crunch of the breading and cucumber with the

Fried Vegan crispy "Chicken" Uramaki

Learn how to make fried vegan crispy "chicken" uramaki – the sushi roll that looks innocent but takes some skill (and patience) to pull off. It’s not the easiest roll to prepare, but trust me: the crunch, the flavor, the “wow” factor? Totally worth it. Interesting in more Vegan Sushi recipes ? Check out the recipes in the link! Image: on top the fried crispy vegan "chicken" uramaki roll and on the bottom the fried tempura shrimp uramaki sushi roll. Uramaki rolls are those sus

Close-up of vegan avocafdo maki sushi roll

Avocado Maki

Avocado rolls—also known as avocado maki—are a popular type of vegan sushi roll made with sushi rice, nori seaweed, and ripe avocado. They are a simple variation of kappa maki , the traditional Japanese cucumber roll. By replacing cucumber with avocado, you get a creamier texture while keeping the roll refreshing, light, and easy to prepare at home. Avocado maki is a staple in sushi restaurants worldwide and is often recommended for beginners learning how to roll sushi becaus

Kappa Maki - A Classic Vegan Sushi Roll

Kappa maki is a classic vegan sushi roll made with cucumber, sushi rice, and seaweed. When most people think of sushi, they picture fresh fish and delicate rolls. But not all sushi relies on seafood. One of the most beloved plant-based vegan options is kappa maki – a refreshing, light, and entirely vegan cucumber roll. Its simplicity makes it a perfect introduction to sushi-making at home and a staple for anyone looking for a healthy, meat-free alternative. Image: preparing