CALIFORNIA ROLLS VS MAKI:TYPES OF SUSHI EXPLAINED

Ordering sushi should be fun, not confusing. But when the menu throws around words like maki, California rolls and tempura, it can be hard to know where to start. The truth is, most types of sushi are made from the same few ingredients — seasoned rice, nori (seaweed), fresh fillings and a little soy sauce. The difference comes down to how those ingredients are rolled, layered or wrapped.

A selection of sushi including maki, California rolls, fashion sandwiches, prawn tempura and salmon roses

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEENMAKI AND CALIFORNIA ROLLS?

The biggest difference is how the rice and nori are used. Nori is edible seaweed, which brings fresh and salty flavour to sushi. A Maki roll has its filling in the middle, surrounded by sushi rice and wrapped in nori on the outside. Before serving, it’s sliced into small, round pieces.

A California Roll is sometimes called an “inside-out roll”. The nori sits around the filling, while the sushi rice is on the outside of the roll.

So, when it comes to California Rolls vs Maki, it’s not really a case of having completely different ingredients; it’s about how they’re rolled.

Maki rolls with nori on the outside and California rolls with rice on the outside

FASHION SANDWICHES— LAYERED INSTEAD OF ROLLED

Fashion sandwiches are not rolled at all. Sushi rice, nori and fillings such as salmon, prawn or avocado are pressed into neat, triangular wedges. They give you the same fresh flavours in a different shape, making them a good next step once you have tried a few rolls.

Triangular fashion sandwiches layered with rice, nori and fillings

PRAWN TEMPURA— THE CRISPY ONE

Tempura adds a crunchy twist. Prawn is lightly battered and fried, then rolled with sushi rice and nori. The result is warm, crispy and satisfying, with none of the raw-fish hesitation that some beginners feel. It is comfort food and sushi in one.

Golden, crispy prawn tempura sushi rolls

SALMON ROSES— SALMON ON THE OUTSIDE

Salmon roses put the fish front and centre. A portion of sushi rice is shaped and wrapped with a slice of fresh salmon, then finished with a little avocado and roe. The salmon is the star of the show, so these are best suited to those who already enjoy salmon or are ready to try raw fish.

Salmon roses with fresh salmon wrapped around sushi rice

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUSHI AT A GLANCE

SUSHI TYPE	WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT	SHAPE
MAKI	Nori wrapped around rice and filling	Small round roll
CALIFORNIA ROLL	Rice on the outside, sesame seeds, nori and filling inside	Round roll
FASHION SANDWICH	Rice, nori and fillings layered into a wedge	Triangle
PRAWN TEMPURA	Battered and fried prawn with rice and nori	Crispy roll
SALMON ROSES	Sushi rice wrapped in fresh salmon with toppings	Rose-shaped
SUSHI PLATTERS	A combination of different sushi types	Mixed