The Sushi Man's guide to creating the ultimate sushi setup in your own home! Making sushi at home is easier than you think. As long as you have the right tools and guidance (from us!), you'll be making restaurant quality sushi in no time! From choosing the proper rice to the best sushi knife, we’ll show you exactly how to make at-home sushi a reality.
THE ESSENTIALS
Here are some basic supplies that will come in handy when making sushi. Honestly, you don't need all these items (except the Makisu bamboo mat) but it will definitely help level up your sushi game.
Yoshihiro Hi-soft High Performance Professional Grade Cutting Board - These are amazing boards that are mainly used in restaurant and professional settings but can be an amazing addition for home cooking.
One of the most common questions I get asked is what type of knives do I use/recommend. And I get it, the overwhelming selection of knives can be daunting and confusing. So I have compiled a list of some of the best quality Japanese knives (some I personally use) that range in different price points.
YANAGIBA AND SUJIHIKI
If you're serious about making/learning sushi, I recommend either a Sujihiki or Yanagiba style knife. These are long, slender style knives that are specifically made for slicing fish and meat. An absolute necessity for sushi but not the most efficient for everyday cooking.
Advanced/Professional-Level
Masamoto VG - Sujihiki 9.4" (24cm)
Masamoto is my favorite Japanese knife company and I'm always impressed with the quality and craftmanship of their knives. This is a Sujihiki that I personally use right now. It's very easy to maintain while keeping a consistent sharp edge.
Yoshihiro - Shiroko High Carbon - Yanagiba 9.4" (24cm)
Very popular and reputable brand that makes quality knives. I know many experienced sushi chefs that swear by them. It's a high carbon steel blade which can be difficult to maintain and sharpen. But when done right, it'll keep an extremely sharp edge.
This Yanagiba by Masamoto is one of their best knives. Hon Kasumi requires extra steps in production and a higher level of craftsmanship. It’s completely hand sharpened, polished, and finished by especially skilled and experienced craftsmen, which results in amazing sharpness and more refined level of finish.
Tojiro is a solid Japanese knife company that makes great knives for a more affordable price. Significantly better quality than the Kai and worth the extra investment.
Gyuto style knives are the Japanese version of an all-around chef knife. These aren’t specifically made for slicing fish but can still work great for making sushi. They are a lot more versatile and can be used for all different types of cooking so the investment might make more sense for a typical home chef.
Advanced/Professional-Level
Misono 440 - Gyuto 8.2" (21cm)
Misono is another one of my favorite Japenese knife brands and I use this particular one for majority of my home cooking. Very easy to maintain and take care of while holding a very sharp edge.
One of the best Gyuto knives from Misono. The UX10 series have exceptionally rust-resistant blades while offering extreme sharpness like a carbon steel knife. Upgrade from the Molybdenum and 440 series.
The #1 mistake people make when trying to make sushi is NOT USING THE PROPER RICE. Japanese short grain (or medium) rice is ideal for sushi because of its stickiness. Other types of rice are usually too dry and doesn't have the correct consistency. So needless to say, the rice you use matters tremendously. Here is a list of my recommendations, many which are used at high-end sushi restaurants all around the world.
BASIC
Most affordable and good quality rice that works well for sushi.
You can always cook rice in a pot but I highly recommend investing in a rice cooker if planning to make sushi often and/or rice is a normal part of diet.
Zojirushi NS-TSC10 - 5.5 Cups
Zojirushi is the top Japanese brand for rice cookers and makes delicious rice. Perfect for home use.
Professional rice cooker for commercial use, too big for normal household cooking but would come in handy if hosting events or making sushi for large groups.
You put all this work and effort into making delicious sushi, now it's time to impress everyone with an amazing presentation! Here are some products that can help do just that.
Wooden Sushi Boat - 29.5" (75cm)
Who doesn't love a big sushi boat! Always a crowd pleaser that's sure to impress.
Durable, reusable, and adjustable to become a 3-tier stand. We've used this exact item to display beautiful sushi "cakes" for all different types of events.