Sushi is a very popular Japanese cuisine. Rice is the main ingredient and it has five major types. Maki Sushi and Nigiri Sushi are the most typical types served in a sushi bar.
Maki Sushi is usually rolled into a cylindrical form with the use of a bamboo mat called “makisu.” It is comprised of rice, fish, seafood and seaweed or vegetable arranged in a layer. The log formed is cut into six or eight pieces, equivalent to a single roll order. The most common types of maki Sushi are Futomaki, Hosomaki and Uramaki.
The Futomaki is of larger or thicker rolls with three or four centimeters in diameter consisting of two or three fillings. It contains vegetables and toppings such as tiny fish eggs. The thinner ones called Hosomaki has a diameter of about two centimeters. It is made of one filling like cucumber, tuna, thinly sliced carrots, or avocado.
One kind of Hosomaki with cucumber is called Kappamaki, named after the Japanese legendary water imp. He was famous for his fondness in cucumbers.
Nigiri Sushi is vinegar rice with fish, or other seafood and egg sliced thinly, and lightly dabbed with a small amount of wasabi. Fish and seafood may be served raw, but egg is cooked.
Different kinds of fish like eel, mackerel, salmon, and tuna are generally the ingredients used in Nigiri Sushi. The proper way to eat this sushi is to dip the side of the fish on the soy sauce. Avoid dipping the side of the rice to the soy sauce because rice easily breaks.
Temaki Sushi is commonly known as a hand roll sushi. It is similar with Maki with a few exceptions. Temaki sushi is shaped into a cone, rolled in shape with the help of the hand. It is 10 centimeters long and eaten as is without slicing. It is advisable to eat it using your fingers instead of chopsticks
Chirashi sushi is a scattered sushi commonly referred as a bowl of sushi rice. It is topped with other ingredients like sashimi and other raw seafood. It is not common to Japanese restaurants outside of Japan.
It is popular in Japan because it is easy to make. It is traditionally served during Japan’s Doll Festival, an annual celebration held every March.
Inari Sushi is stuffed and fried, mainly of tofu and rice. It was named after the Shinto god Inari, who loved fried tofu very much.
Kyoto Sushi is located at 27039 McBean Parkway, in Santa Clarita. For more information, please call 661-259-1001 and visit www.kyotosushirestaurants.com.