Essential Sushi Tools for the Kitchen

If you’ve never done it before, preparing sushi at home can be a daunting process, but there’s no reason that it should be. The beauty of sushi as a culinary art-form lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a new range of pots, pans, and cooking utensils to get started – just a few key pieces of equipment will do the trick.

Sushi Knives

We’ve already got a comprehensive article on Japanese knives over on our Masterclass page that we recommend you read. Whether filleting and cutting fish, chopping herbs, or slicing vegetables, a high-quality Japanese chef’s knife (or, even better, a full set) is absolutely essential.

Whetstone

A whetstone or sharpening stone is another crucial addition to your kitchen tool cupboard. After all, a sushi knife is only good for as long as it maintains its edge. We’ve written an entire article about looking after your knives, which includes keeping them sharp, and the right whetstone is a key part of that maintenance routine.

Suihanki

Getting your sushi rice to the right consistency is important when producing perfect sushi. Japanese rice tends to be thick and glutinous, compared to more common varieties, and is best prepared in a dedicated rice cooker, or suihanki. These allow you to set the cooking time perfectly for any amount of rice you choose to cook.

 

Hangiri Rice Mixing Bowl

Hangiri

After cooking, sushi rice needs to be left to rest, prior to adding sugar, salt, and rice vinegar. The traditional method for doing so, still in use today, is with a hangiri. These round, wooden containers have a flat bottom and allow the rice to cool evenly once cooked. It is usually covered with a fukin cloth during the cooling process.

Shamoji

When mixing and dressing the rice in a hangiri, you are expected to use a shamoji. These flat, paddle-like spoons are used to mix up the rice, allowing excess moisture to escape in the form of steam. This prevents the rice from overcooking.

Makisu

Makisu is the name given to the bamboo mat used for rolling up sushi into maki and California rolls. A sheet of nori is laid on the mat and other ingredients carefully layered on top. You then use the makisu to roll everything up into a tight, attractive, and uniform cylinder, ready to be sliced prior to serving.

Of course, there are all kinds of specialist equipment available for preparing sushi, but these seven items should be enough to get you started. You can find sushi tools of the highest quality and at an affordable price right here on the SushiSushi website. Visit our online store today to properly equip your kitchen.