Sushi guide
What Is Sushi? Nigiri, Maki and Sashimi
By Momo Japanese Restaurant · Published · Updated 3 min read
Sushi is often thought of as "raw fish", but the word refers to the rice. Sushi is any dish built on shari: short-grain rice seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Raw fish is a common topping, but plenty of sushi uses cooked seafood, egg or vegetables instead.
Where sushi comes from
The earliest sushi was a way of preserving fish. Known as narezushi, it packed salted fish in rice and left it to ferment for months. The rice was thrown away and only the fish was eaten.
The sushi most people know today grew up in Edo (now Tokyo) in the early 19th century. Hanaya Yohei is often credited with popularising nigiri: a hand-pressed mound of vinegared rice with a slice of fish on top, made to order and eaten straight away. Because it needed no fermentation, it worked as fast food for a busy city.
The main types of sushi
Nigiri (握り寿司)
A small, hand-pressed block of rice with a single slice of fish or another topping, sometimes held in place with a strip of nori. At Momo, nigiri is ordered by the piece and includes maguro (tuna), sake (salmon), suzuki (sea bass), hamachi (yellowtail), ebi (prawn), tako (octopus), ika (squid), tobiko (flying fish roe), shime saba (pickled mackerel), tamago (sweet omelette) and unagi (eel).
Maki (巻き寿司)
Rice and fillings rolled in a sheet of nori and cut into rounds. Thin rolls with a single filling are called hosomaki, such as kappa maki (cucumber) and tekka maki (tuna). Momo's maki list also includes the house MOMO Maki (salmon, asparagus and crispy batter with mayonnaise), Spicy Tuna Maki and Spider Maki, made with deep-fried softshell crab.
Gunkan (軍艦巻き)
"Battleship" sushi: a strip of nori wrapped around a base of rice to make a cup for loose toppings. Toppings that would slide off a slice of rice, such as salmon roe (ikura) and flying fish roe (tobiko), are usually served this way.
Temaki (手巻き寿司)
A hand roll: a cone of nori filled with rice, fish and vegetables, eaten with the hands straight away while the nori is still crisp.
Sashimi (刺身)
Strictly speaking, sashimi is not sushi, because there is no rice. It is sliced raw fish served on its own, usually with soy sauce and wasabi. Momo's sashimi comes as a mixed plate of three, five or seven kinds (moriawase), or as tuna, salmon or yellowtail on their own. There is also a sashimi and sushi mix.
How to eat sushi
- Fingers or chopsticks. Both are fine for nigiri; rolls are easier with chopsticks.
- Dip the fish, not the rice. Turn nigiri on its side and touch the topping to the soy sauce, so the rice does not soak it up and fall apart.
- One bite. Nigiri is sized to be eaten in one mouthful where possible.
- Ginger between pieces. Pickled ginger (gari) refreshes your palate between different fish; it is not meant to go on top.
- Taste before adding wasabi. Many sushi chefs already put a little between the rice and the fish.
Sushi at Momo
To try a range, order the Sushi Moriawase, a chef's selection of nigiri, or the Sushi Dinner, one of Momo's dinner courses. At lunchtime, the Sushi Lunch is eight pieces of nigiri, each a different kind, with six pieces of cucumber roll, miso soup and dessert.
You can take sushi home too: the takeaway menu has a Sushi Moriawase Bento and a choice of rolls. Call to order for collection, or order delivery through Just Eat or Deliveroo.
Momo is an independent Japanese restaurant on Hanger Lane in Ealing. Book a table, and if you are not sure what to order, ask the team.
Frequently asked questions
What is sushi made of?
Sushi is made with vinegared rice (shari), usually combined with raw or cooked fish, seafood, egg or vegetables, and often nori seaweed. The word "sushi" refers to the seasoned rice, not the fish.
Is all sushi raw fish?
No. Many kinds of sushi use cooked or vegetable fillings. On Momo's menu, for example, Ebiten Maki uses prawn tempura, Yasaiten Maki uses vegetable tempura, Kappa Maki is cucumber and Tamago nigiri is a sweet omelette. If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, tell the team when you order.
What is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
Sushi always includes vinegared rice. Sashimi is sliced raw fish served without rice, usually with soy sauce and wasabi.
Can I get sushi from Momo as a takeaway?
Yes. The takeaway menu includes a Sushi Moriawase Bento (10 pieces of nigiri and 6 pieces of cucumber roll, with miso soup) and rolls including Momo Roll, California Roll, Tekka Maki, Shake Maki and Kappa Maki. Call to order for collection, or order delivery through Just Eat or Deliveroo.