Best Sushi Making Kit

Sushi is something of an art form, combining culinary cleverness with attractive designs for food that’s both fun and delicious.

Watching skilled sushi chefs work to create a perfect bite-sized roll is mesmerizing, and many of us want to try this craft for ourselves.

Sushi making looks difficult, and we’ll be honest — it is! Getting your roll just right is the work of endless practice.

But the good news is that any attempts that are less than perfect are still fantastic to eat. 

Fancy giving sushi making a go? Check out our guide to the best sushi making kits to find something that’s just right for you.

Sushi making kits also make great gifts for the foodie in your life, so read on to find our top recommendations.

The 5 Best Sushi Making Kits

Best Sushi Making Kit Buying Guide

So, you’ve just gone out of your way to get your hands on some sushi, and you’ve realized how much easier it would be if you could make it at home.

Or maybe you’ve been watching the chefs at your favorite sushi bar, and you think that making sushi looks like fun.

Or maybe you just enjoy a culinary adventure, and sushi is your next challenge! Whatever the reason, you’ve decided it’s time to invest in a sushi making kit. 

But before you start rolling sushi like a pro - or not, it takes a little while to learn - you want to know what to look for in a sushi kit. Sushi can be complicated!

When you’re buying a kit, it’s hard to know what’s essential, and what’s an added extra. Take a look at our buyer’s guide to answer all your sushi making kit questions!

Traditional Kits Vs Non-Traditional Kits

The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a traditional kit or a non-traditional kit. 

Traditional kits are all about the bamboo mats. This is the classic way of rolling sushi, and it’s very satisfying — when you get it right!

Sushi rolling mats are notoriously difficult, but with practice it does get easier. Traditional kits also tend to use wood and bamboo, which is harder to clean.

Non-traditional kits try to take some of the difficulty out of sushi. They use extra tools such as frames and bazookas to help you with the roll.

Non-traditional kits tend to be made of plastic. This makes them easier to clean, but also more liable to break. 

It’s worth noting that while non-traditional kits can be easier to use, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes those helpful extra tools just end up causing more issues.

Materials

As mentioned above, traditional kits tend to be made of natural materials such as wood, while non-traditional kits tend to use plastic. That said, even plastic kits will often have a bamboo mat.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of material. Wood and bamboo are durable, look good, and are better for the environment. They’re also much harder to clean, and have to be dried completely to prevent mold growing.

Plastic kits are often dishwasher safe, and the lightweight build is good to use with children. However, plastic is more liable to break, particularly if you’re struggling with a tight roll! 

Whatever type of kit you choose, make sure the materials are food safe.

Tools: The Basics

There are a few basic tools that you can expect to find in a sushi making kit.

Bamboo Mat

The bamboo mat is a fairly standard part of the sushi making kit. You spread your ingredients on to the mat, and roll them up, You then remove the mat, and have a tight roll ready to slice.

Other than the ingredients and a knife, the bamboo mat is essentially all you need to make sushi.

Molds

Instead of a bamboo mat (or as well as) some sushi making kits use a mold. You pile your ingredients into the mold, press down the top, and lift the mold away.

These are often used to make nigiri and maki. Some kits use different shaped molds, such as hearts!

Bazooka or Sushi Tube

Similar to the mold, the sushi bazooka is a plastic tube that you can pile your sushi ingredients into.

These are then squeezed from the tube, onto your nori. Although generally easier to use than a bamboo mat, a low-quality sushi bazooka actually just makes everything more difficult.

Rice Spreader and Paddle

The rice spreader and paddle are somewhere between a necessity and an extra. You can use regular kitchen tools in their place, but a good rice spreader helps create an even layer of sticky sushi rice.

If you plan on using the bamboo rolling mat, it’s worth looking for a kit with these accessories.

Tools: The Accessories

So, a mat or some form of mold are considered the basics. But what accessories can really make a kit?

Dishes

Sauce dishes or serving plates can transform a basic kit into an excellent gift. Soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger are essential to a sushi banquet, and having their own dish will make dipping your rolls easier.

Chopsticks and Chopstick Holders

If you’re already a sushi lover, then you probably have chopsticks to hand. But they’re a nice addition to a kit, especially if you’re buying it as a gift.

Storage Boxes/pouches

Foodies will know just how hard it is to keep track of all your tools for food experiments. A pouch or storage box helps to keep your sushi kit together, for the next time a craving hits.

Food

Sushi essentials such as rice and nori tend to have a long shelf life, and are sometimes included in sushi making kits. This is a nice addition if you don’t have an Asian grocery store nearby, and what to get started right away.

Sushi Knife

If you’re serious about your sushi, you’ll want to get a good sushi knife. Honestly, most knives included in kits aren’t great, as the knife itself is likely to cost over $20. 

Instructions

Rolling sushi might seem pretty intuitive, but it’s not as easy as it looks. If you’ve never tried it before, we recommend looking for kits that come with instructions. Just a few tips and tricks can take your sushi from rice pile to roll. 

Another useful addition: recipes! If you don’t know where to get started, even a small recipe book can introduce you to the possibilities. 

Price

Sushi kits range from budget options to luxury cookware, so set a price range before you start shopping. Keep in mind items you might already have (like a good knife, or chopsticks) as areas to save money.

When it comes to price, don’t just consider the overall cost. Factor in how many items you’re getting for that price, and what is included. Some kits might seem like a good bargain, only they don’t come with half the things essential for making sushi!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Need To Make Sushi?

The only tool necessary to make sushi the traditional way is a bamboo mat, which is used to roll up the ingredients. Non-traditional methods include sushi tubes and molds, which make it easier to form the tight roll without the use of a mat. 

Other tools to look out for include rice paddles and spoons, which allow you to spread the sticky rice in an even layer. For eating, you need chopsticks, sauce dishes, and a serving plate.

Is It Difficult To Make Sushi At Home?

Making perfect sushi is notoriously difficult, as you need a tight roll without pushing the rice out.

But if you aren’t too bothered about how it looks, sushi can be quite easy to make at home. And you can customize with all your favorite ingredients. And with practice, you’ll soon find your rolls come together and stay together!

What Should I Look For In A Sushi Kit?

All you really need in a sushi kit is a bamboo mat or some form of mold. Other accessories to look for are rice paddles and spreaders, chopsticks, serving dishes, and storage pouches. 

For a traditional kit, we love the UR Happy Place sushi making kit! The wood and bamboo build is durable, and the designs are attractive.

For simple sushi, try the SushiQuik sushi kit. And if you want something that’s fun for all the family, then check out the Aya molds.

Final Thoughts

Making your own sushi is fun and satisfying, and you can customize your rolls exactly to your liking. We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect sushi making kit!