Temaki sushi (or temakizushi) translates to “hand rolled sushi.” It’s a common and casual way for Japanese families to make sushi at home. The setup is easy, with no special equipment needed, essentially becoming a make-your-own-sushi bar, perfect for families with picky eaters or large parties. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
Temaki sushi is one of my kids’ favorite meals. I love it too, because it requires very little cooking and is so easy to make. A while back I posted some videos of my family eating temaki sushi, and I got quite a few requests to write up a recipe.
Which… is actually kind of hard to do. I mean, there’s literally no cooking. It’s like writing a recipe for a sandwich. You just put whatever you like in between two pieces of bread, except in this case, it’s pieces of seaweed and sushi rice. If you’re the type that really needs detailed instructions, however, I really did try my best for you! Here you go!
Difference Between Hand Rolled Sushi and Maki Sushi
The English translation of “hand rolled sushi” might be slightly confusing, since other sushi rolls are also made… by hand. The kind of sushi rolls that you see cut into circles, such as California rolls, are called maki sushi or makizushi. For those, you use a bamboo sushi mat to roll it into a nice cylinder and slice in even pieces.
Temaki sushi is typically rolled into either a cone shape or taco shape. It’s more informal and doesn’t make perfect circles. You don’t need any tools to roll the sushi; just your hands. Therefore, it’s hand rolled sushi!
Temaki Sushi: The Seaweed
For temaki sushi, you need to get the large sheets of roasted seaweed, like you’re making spam musubi or rolled sushi. Typically, I get the Yamamotoyama seaweed, as that’s a trusted brand for me. General rule of thumb is just get a seaweed that you like. Seaweed should be crisp and not chewy; chewy seaweed means it’s gone stale or absorbed too much humidity.
How to Make Sushi Rice
To make sushi rice, you cook two cups of Japanese rice in a rice cooker. Meanwhile you prepare your sushi seasoning. When the rice is cooked, transfer it to a sushi oke or a large bowl, pour the seasoning on top, and gently fold it in.
Some more detailed notes: Asian rice cookers come with measuring cups that are different in size from typical American measuring cups. So when I say two cups of rice, I mean use the Asian rice measuring cups. Also, in case you’re REALLY into details, Japanese rice that you can get in America typically comes in either short grain or medium grain. In Japan, they use short grain. However, I am told that medium grain grows much better in America, which is why it is much much cheaper than short grain if you’re US based. For example, this 15 lb bag of tamaki gold rice can go upwards of $50, whereas medium grain Nishiki sells for about $20 for the same size. I must admit that I think the short grain rice tastes better, but I buy the medium grain because I am cheap frugal.
Another note on rice: some people use a sushi oke, or a large bamboo platter for making sushi rice. I just use a large mixing bowl because I don’t have an oke. I would like to get one someday, though! When I have the kitchen storage. Sigh.
How to Make Sushi Seasoning
If you really don’t trust yourself, you can buy premade sushi rice seasoning. It really is easy to make and you probably already have most of the ingredients!
Just mix equal parts sugar and rice vinegar and a dash of salt. Heat on the stovetop until the sugar is dissolved, and you’re done! Different recipes may use slightly less amounts of sugar, but this is the way a friend’s dad from church made his sushi rice, so that’s how I do it too.
Temaki Sushi Fillings
The great thing about temaki sushi is that you can choose whatever fillings you want! You don’t even have to use any fish, if you don’t want to. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Sashimi (salmon, tuna, or whatever kind of fish you like)
- Imitation crab sticks
- Tamagoyaki slices
- Natto
- Pea sprouts
- Baked tofu
- Avocado
- Kimchi
- Cucumber
- Carrots
- Shiso leaves
- Pickled daikon
- Pickled ginger
- Fish roe
- Spam
The world is your oyster hand rolled sushi.
Fun Sushi Party Ideas – Sushi Train and Sushi Platter
Temaki sushi is a great dish to serve for parties! The photos I have on this post use a temaki sushi platter. It’s sold on Amazon for $24, but I actually got mine at Daiso for $5! So if you have a Daiso near you, definitely try there first.
If you’re going to be super fancy, I’ve also seen people use this sushi stand, where you wrap the sushi in cones and stick them in this flower shaped stand. Or if you’re going to do the taco shape, I’ve seen restaurants use this kind of sushi taco stand. But generally, people eat the sushi as they make it, so you don’t really need these things unless you’re going to be *extra*.
Another fun idea that I’ve seen is to use these sushi trains to make something like a conveyor belt sushi party at home. I actually bought one of these off Amazon but the package got lost and I was too lazy to reorder. My friend got one, though, and it looked really fun!
More Japanese Recipes
If you’re looking for more easy Japanese recipes to cook at home, check these out!
- Extra Crispy Tonkatsu Recipe
- Temari Sushi Recipe
- Fish Katsu Recipe
- Nikumaki Recipe
- The Best Spinach Goma-Ae
Easy Temaki Sushi at Home
Ingredients
Sushi Rice
- 2 cups short or medium grain rice See Notes
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- pinch of salt
Sushi Fillings
- 1 lb sashimi (any fish)
- 1 lb tamagoyaki
- 1 large avocado
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 lb kanikama (imitation crab legs)
- 1/2 lb takuan
- 1 cup shredded carrots
For Sushi Wrap
- 10 sheets large roasted nori
Instructions
Make Sushi Rice
- Cook rice in a rice cooker according to rice cooker instructions.
- While rice is cooking put sugar, rice vinegar, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat on the stove until sugar is dissolved. Set aside until rice is done.
- As soon as the rice is done cooking, transfer it to a large bowl or sushi oke. Pour the rice vinegar solution over the cooked rice and use a rice paddle to gently fold it in. Have a helper fan the rice while you mix to help it cool down. Cover rice and set aside while you prepare the sushi ingredients.
Prepare Hand Roll Sushi
- Slice all sushi fillings (e.g. fish, cucumber, tamagoyaki, avocado) to 1/4" to 1/2" thick sticks. You can place the fillings on a serving platter, if desired.
- Take your sheets of roasted seaweed and cut or tear lengthwise in half. Serve alongside sushi fillings and rice to allow your guests to make their own hand rolls.
- To make a hand roll, place a small layer of sushi rice onto one half of your seaweed strip.
- Layer your fillings of choice on top of the rice so that they point along the diagonal.
- Fold the seaweed strip diagonally across your fillings and wrap behind, creating a cone shape.
- Eat and make another! If you have leftover fillings, fresh sashimi can last in the fridge one more day.
Video
Notes
- Sushi rice in Japan is made from short grain rice that can be difficult to get in America. The Japanese rice brands in the US are typically medium grain rice that grows better here, and it’s fine to use for sushi rice. Please note that the ingredients list “rice cooker cups” and not American measuring cups.
- You can use whatever fillings you like. Other popular ingredients include shiso leaves, sprouts, pickled ginger, fish roe, natto, and more.
