Best Sushi Making Kit
Nigiri, maki, uramaki, temaki – reading these words probably makes your mouth water for sushi. And why not? These Japanese-inspired, bite-sized bundles of rice, fish and vegetables wrapped in crispy seaweed have become so popular, they are even available at big-name grocery stores. While there is an art to creating these delectable morsels, with practice and a good sushi-making kit, you can make your own sushi at home using the ingredients you love, every day of the week. It’s not only budget-friendly, but it also allows you to know exactly what you’re putting into your meals – only the best and the healthiest option for your family!
The trick to sushi begins with rice and ends with rolling all the ingredients tightly together and then slicing it into individual pieces. Master sushi-chefs spend many years perfecting the art, but for beginners and home cooks, a sushi-making kit can take the frustration out of the process, leaving you with a product you’d be eager to eat – and proud to serve to guests. Sushi making kits take the hassle out of the process and are suitable for beginners and prose alike: they’re easy to use and produce consistently impressive results each time!
Of course, not all sushi making kits are the same: some promise perfect rolls each time only to underdeliver, others can be complicated to use, and some too difficult to clean after use. There are certain standards that sushi making kits need to meet to be considered the best on the market – and we go in depth about the most important features. Additionally, we’ve handpicked six of the best sushi making kits on the market today, to make sure you’ll easily find the perfect match for your needs. Read on to learn more!
1. Editor’s Choice: AYA Sushi Making Kit
There are many different kinds of sushi, and each one is made in a different way. Some roll with rice on the outside and some roll with the rice on the inside and nori (seaweed) on the outside. Others, like nigiri, don’t roll at all, but are simple delights of a small mound of sushi rice topped with a slice of marinated raw fish. If you like experimenting with all forms of sushi, this kit from AYA has everything you need to make a fine assortment to satisfy all tastes.
This set includes a bazooka maker, a cute but highly effective device that helps you make perfectly formed rice logs. Also in the kit are two bamboo mats for rolling, a nigiri maker, a rice paddle, a rice spreader, a professional-grade sushi knife and five sets of chopsticks.
The bazooka is made from durable, BPA-free material and is easy to use. Just add rice and your favorite ingredients to the loading tray, close it up, push the plunger and out comes a perfect rice log, ready to be wrapped in a piece of nori with the help of one of the bamboo mats.
If you’re in the mood for some variety, the nigiri maker gives you the option of creating perfectly formed mounds of rice to hold slivers of marinated raw fish and perhaps a dash of wasabi.
The bamboo mats are made of 100 percent natural, premium-grade bamboo sticks, woven together with cotton strings that need to be gently scrubbed with mild soap and water after each use. The bazooka and nigiri maker are dishwasher safe.
If you are unsure of how to start or how each piece works, the set includes access to exclusive step-by-step online video tutorials. You can feel comfortable knowing that by following the tutorials, you’ll be making sushi like a master in no time at all. Impress yourself and all of your friends when you have your first sushi party. This set also makes a great gift for the sushi-lover in your life.
Pros:
- Includes a bazooka sushi maker
- Two bamboo mats
- Rice spreader
- Rice paddle
- Five sets of chopsticks
- Access to online tutorial videos
- Storage bag for the perfect gift
Cons:
- May include too many pieces for some people
2. Runner Up: SushiQuik Sushi Making Kit
This sushi-making kit is perfect for anyone who needs exact measurements and tools to help them through the cooking process or for teens who may want to learn the craft of making sushi.
One of the trickier aspects of making sushi is knowing the exact amount of rice to use. Too much can create a sticky mess, and too little will not hold it all together. The beauty of this kit is the training frame, a device that is specifically designed to make sure you use just the right amount of rice.
Simply place a piece of nori on the white plastic sushi mat and secure the training frame over it. Spread rice on the nori using the non-stick paddle. Not only will you use the right amount of rice, but your hands won’t be covered with bits of the sticky grain. Once the rice is spread, remove the frame, add the ingredients of your choice, and using the plastic mat, roll out the perfect log.
Cutting perfect pieces is also a challenge for many beginners. It takes a good eye and practice. This kit takes the guesswork out of slicing with a convenient roll cutter so you can slice perfectly even pieces right from the get-go. Included are two green caps that are ideal for holding dipping sauce.
This set is flexible and allows you to make sushi with rice on the inside or outside. And when you’re done, the rolling mat snaps apart and can be placed in the dishwasher with the silverware for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Plastic rolling mat
- Training frame for rice
- Roll cutter
- Dishwasher safe
- Rice paddle
Cons:
- Made from plastic
- Does not include a knife or chopsticks
3. Best Versatile: Elvoki Bamboo Sushi Making Kit
This beautiful-looking sushi-making set is perfect for the enthusiast who takes pleasure in working with kitchen tools made from natural materials. The items in this 15-piece set are made from smooth, splinter-free long-lasting bamboo.
But a good kit is not just about looks – functionality it everything and this kit doesn’t disappoint. It has everything you need to make sushi for yourself, your family and your friends.
The hangiri bowl, measuring three inches tall x 10.5 inches around, is the perfect size for preparing your rice and mixing it with vinegar and sugar. Use the paddles to scoop the rice onto the nori sheet and the spoons to pat it all down before you begin to roll, using one of the bamboo mats. These are made from smooth bamboo slats and cotton string and measure 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches.
Other cool items in this kit are a sushi knife and four round and four square dishes that are the perfect size for wasabi, ginger or soya sauce. And when you’re done, everything can be cleaned by gently hand washing with warm, soapy water.
This sushi-making kit would make a thoughtful gift for an experienced home chef who wants to take it to the next level.
Pros:
- 15-piece set
- Made from durable, smooth bamboo
- Includes a sushi knife
- Includes small dishes for dipping sauce
Cons:
- Items need to be maintained with food safe oil
- Does not include roll cutting device
4. Best Deluxe Set: The Asian Table Sushi Master Set
This deluxe sushi making kit is more than just a way to make sushi – its thoughtfully designed pieces set the bar high for a luxuriously presented meal, capturing the heart and spirit of the art of sushi making.
What makes this sushi-making kit stand out are the blue and white sauce trays, which are made from premium quality ceramics, and the high-quality, non-toxic, natural bamboo wood accessories.
This kit includes everything needed to roll sushi, cook rice perfectly and then enjoy it all with elegant chopsticks. Inside the stunning box, you’ll find two ceramic trays for dipping sauces, two ceramic chopstick rests, two pair of bamboo chopsticks, one spoon shamoji paddle for rice, two bamboo mats makisu for rolling, and a brochure with instructions and recipes.
With this sushi-making kit, you, or the lucky person you gift it to, will have a truly Asian-inspired experience.
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Comes in an exquisite gift box
- Includes premium quality ceramic sauce dishes and chopstick rests
- Includes bamboo rolling mats
- Comes with rice paddle and chopsticks
- Made from non-toxic, eco-friendly materials
- Instruction brochure and recipes
Cons:
- No knife
- More expensive than other kits
5. Best Basic Set: BAMBOOWORX Sushi Making Kit Deluxe with Chopsticks
If you want to learn how to make sushi but you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot to spend, then you may want to consider this very affordable sushi making kit that will set you on the road to hosting many fun sushi parties.
This basic set includes two full sized bamboo rolling mats that each measure 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches to roll perfectly tight sushi; a rice spoon to mix the rice with vinegar and sugar, and a rice spreader for getting it spread correctly.
Each item is constructed of top quality bamboo material; the mats will not give you splinters and the cotton strings will not unravel. To clean, just hand wash with mild soap and warm water and air dry thoroughly or with a soft cloth.
With this kit, all you need to get the party started is some quality ingredients, a sharp knife to cut even pieces, some dipping sauce, a dab of wasabi and a pair of chopsticks. Enjoy.
Pros:
- Affordably priced
- Includes two rolling mats, a rice spoon, a rice spreader
- Bamboo mats won’t splinter or unravel
Cons:
- Does not come with instructions
- Not dishwasher safe
- Bamboo slats are round, not flat
- Do not expose to high heat
6. Best Original: iSottcom Sushi Making Kit
This sushi-making kit is perfect for the home chef who has tried making sushi, only to struggle with the rolling process. With this kit, there is no rolling at all, yet you will be able to create everything from California rolls and migumi rolls to dragon and Philadelphia rolls.
The key to it all is the makimaker, or sushi press. Hand-crafted and made from high-quality material, all you do is load the interior with your favorite ingredients and press down with the top bar. The result is a perfectly formed sushi log ready to roll in nori and slice into perfect pieces. So easy, even a child can do it.
This kit also includes a mobile app which allows you to quickly and easily select your favorite recipes, make a list of necessary ingredients for buying and calculate their number based on the number of your guests. The app also features Japanese roll recipes and clear step-by-step instructions.
There is no doubt that with this unique, rectangular-shaped, easy-to-use sushi maker, you will be turning out professional-looking sushi in no time.
Pros:
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Make sushi without rolling
- Comes with a mobile app for instructions and recipes
Cons:
- More expensive than other sushi-making kits
Things to look out for:
When all things are considered, sushi making kits operate on a simple principle and are easy to use, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t factor in different features when choosing one for yourself. This ensures that there are no hits and misses and that the sushi making kit you pick is truly tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Consider these things when looking for a sushi-making kit so you don’t end up with just another kitchen gadget that’s collecting dust – with these things in mind, you’ll ensure that your new sushi making kit is frequently used and well loved.
Accessories: Sushi-making kits are so varied, each one offers up different accessories to help make the process easier. If you like tools to help you work toward a perfect end product more quickly, then consider a kit that includes a bazooka and a roll cutter. The bazooka makes easy work of creating tight rice logs to roll in nori, while the roll cutter helps you slice even pieces every time. For a more complete set, choose one that includes chopsticks and dishes for sauces and dips.Complete sets tend to make the best gifts for lovers of Asian cuisine, housewarming gifts, or holiday gifts to your loved ones who love to prepare tasty meals. An instruction manual or video is helpful, too.
Materials: For a more authentic and natural experience, choose items that are made from high quality wood and bamboo. The downside, however, is that these items will require more care to maintain their quality. Many kits are made from plastic, which is durable and easy to clean. Bamboo mats generally work better, and are more flexible than ones made from plastic.