Sushi Tools and Knives for Beginners

You need very little to make sushi at home. A rice cooker, a bamboo mat, a wooden paddle and one sharp knife cover almost everything. Specialist tools are nice, but not essential for a beginner.

Starter kit. Essential: rice cooker, bamboo mat (makisu), rice paddle (shamoji), one sharp knife. Useful: wooden rice tub (hangiri) or wide non-metal bowl, cling film, fan. Advanced: yanagiba slicing knife.

Bamboo mat (makisu)

For rolling maki. Choose a flat-slat mat about 24cm square. Wrap it in cling film for inside-out rolls. Dry it thoroughly after use — damp bamboo gets mouldy in Hong Kong's humidity.

Rice paddle and bowl

A shamoji (rice paddle) folds seasoning into rice without crushing grains. Wet it first so rice doesn't stick. A hangiri (wooden rice tub) absorbs moisture and cools rice quickly; a wide glass or plastic bowl works too. Avoid metal with vinegar.

Knives

For beginners: any very sharp chef's knife will slice rolls and fish. Yanagiba is the traditional long, single-bevel knife for slicing sashimi in one long pull — excellent, but it needs care and sharpening. Deba is a heavy knife for breaking down whole fish — you won't need it if you buy fillets.

Nice extras

Rice cooker with a sushi setting · nigiri mould for even pieces · fish tweezers for pin bones · fine grater for fresh wasabi or ginger · tamagoyaki pan for rolled omelette.

Keep the knife wet. Wipe it with a damp cloth between cuts so rice doesn't stick and rolls cut cleanly.

Where to buy in Hong Kong: Japanese supermarkets and homeware stores, department stores' kitchen sections and online marketplaces stock makisu, shamoji and knives.

Single-bevel knives are sharp and fragile. Don't use a yanagiba on bones or frozen food, and don't put it in the dishwasher.

Common questions

Do I need a special sushi knife?

No — a very sharp chef's knife is enough to start.

What is a makisu?

A bamboo rolling mat.

Where else can I look?

See how to make maki rolls.

Compiled by our editorial team from established Japanese home-cooking references, rice retailer information and Hong Kong grocery coverage, retrieved September 2026. Prices are indicative and change often. No brand or retailer paid for inclusion.