Sushi vs Sashimi: What Is the Difference?

The difference is rice. Sushi always includes vinegared rice. Sashimi is sliced raw fish or seafood served without rice. Sushi can be cooked or vegetarian; sashimi is almost always raw.

At a glance. Sushi: vinegared rice + topping or filling — raw, cooked or vegetable. Sashimi: sliced raw seafood, no rice, served with daikon, shiso and wasabi. Calories: sashimi is lighter — no rice. Eat first: sashimi usually comes before sushi.

Sushi

Sushi is defined by shari — rice seasoned with vinegar, sugar and salt. Fish is optional: tamago, cucumber rolls and inari are all sushi. See what is sushi.

Sashimi

Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety defines sashimi as fillets of marine fish, molluscs, crustaceans, fish roe or other seafood eaten in its raw state. It is sliced carefully to show off texture, and served with shredded daikon, shiso leaves and wasabi. See how to slice sashimi.

Nutrition

Without rice, sashimi is mostly protein and fat. A piece of salmon nigiri is about 56 kcal, with around 30 kcal from rice, according to one nutrition guide — so the same fish as sashimi is noticeably lighter. See is sushi healthy.

How to eat them

Sashimi: with chopsticks, a little wasabi on the fish, dipped lightly in soy. Sushi: fingers or chopsticks, dipped fish side down if not already glazed. See sushi etiquette.

At a counter, sashimi often comes first, then nigiri — light to rich.

Nigiri vs sashimi: the same slice of fish — one on rice, one without.

Sashimi is always raw. If you're pregnant, choose cooked sushi instead.

Common questions

Is sashimi sushi?

No — sashimi has no rice.

Which is healthier?

Sashimi is lighter; both can be healthy.

Where else can I look?

See nigiri, maki and gunkan.

Compiled by our editorial team from established Japanese culinary references, Centre for Food Safety definitions, nutrition references and Hong Kong restaurant and retailer information, retrieved September 2026. General information only. No brand or retailer paid for inclusion.