What Is Sushi: Types and Basic Terms

Sushi is vinegared rice combined with other ingredients — raw or cooked fish, seafood, egg or vegetables. The rice is what makes it sushi. Raw fish alone, without rice, is sashimi.

Main types. Nigiri: hand-pressed rice with a topping. Maki: rice and fillings rolled in nori, then cut. Gunkan: rice wrapped in a nori band, topped with roe or soft toppings. Temaki: hand-rolled nori cone. Chirashi: toppings scattered over a bowl of rice. Inari: rice in a sweet tofu pouch.

The key words

Shari — the seasoned sushi rice. Neta — the topping. Nori — dried seaweed. Wasabi — pungent green paste. Gari — pickled ginger. Shoyu — soy sauce. Nikiri — the chef's soy glaze. Agari — green tea at a sushi bar. See Japanese menu words.

Types of sushi

Nigiri is the classic counter sushi. Maki come in hosomaki (thin), futomaki (thick) and uramaki (inside-out). Gunkan ("battleship") holds loose toppings like ikura. Temaki is eaten by hand at once. Chirashi is a rice bowl. Oshizushi is pressed in a box — a style from Osaka. See nigiri, maki and gunkan.

Where sushi came from

Sushi began as fish preserved in fermented rice. The modern hand-pressed style, Edomae sushi, developed in 19th-century Tokyo, where chefs cured and simmered fish before refrigeration. See Edomae explained.

First time? Try salmon nigiri, a cucumber roll, tamago and an ikura gunkan — you'll have tasted four of the main types.

Raw or cooked: sushi doesn't have to be raw. Unagi, cooked prawn, tamago and vegetable rolls are all sushi.

Raw fish is a high-risk food. Pregnant women, young children and people with weakened immunity should choose cooked sushi.

Common questions

Does sushi mean raw fish?

No — it means vinegared rice.

What is the most common sushi?

Nigiri and maki.

Where else can I look?

See sushi vs sashimi.

Compiled by our editorial team from established Japanese culinary references, food safety guidance and Hong Kong restaurant and retailer information, retrieved September 2026. General information only. No brand or retailer paid for inclusion.