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What is Vegetarian Sushi?
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Vegetarian sushi is sushi that is made without any meat, poultry, or fish. When many people think of sushi, they immediately think of raw fish. While many kinds of sushi are made with raw fish and even shellfish, there are also a number of varieties that are made without using any kind of seafood. Rice and seaweed, which are the staple ingredients in sushi, are already vegetarian: rice is a grain and seaweed is a sea vegetable. By choosing toppings or fillings made from vegetables or dairy products, it is possible to make vegetarian sushi.
The most common toppings and fillings in vegetarian sushi are cucumber and avocado. The crunchiness of cucumber adds a delightful texture to rice and seaweed. Avocado has a smoothness that is similar to raw fish, making it a popular substitute. Other vegetarian sushi ingredients include pickled vegetables and egg.
In the West, cucumber and avocado are the most common vegetarian ingredients. In Asia, however, egg and pickled veggies are commonly used in sushi dishes. Pickled vegetables are often used much in the same way that cucumber is used, rolled in between layers of rice and seaweed. Egg, however, is often served atop mounds of rice and wrapped with only a very thin layer of seaweed. Before being used to top sushi, the egg is sweetened, cooked, and allowed to cool.
Another common ingredient in vegetarian sushi is mushroom. The mushroom is usually marinated, cooked, and allowed to cool before being added to the sushi. Sometimes mushrooms with very rich flavors, similar to red meats, are used. Mushroom sushi is sometimes garnished with watercress or rocket.
There are some restaurants that specialize in vegetarian sushi. It is not necessary to visit one of this specialty restaurants, however, to enjoy sushi made without the use of any animal products. Almost all sushi restaurants serve cucumber sushi and avocado sushi, as well as sushi made with pickled vegetables and egg.
The condiments served with sushi are all suitable for vegetarians. The most common condiments are soy sauce, wasabi, and gari. Soy sauce is a savory, thin brown sauce that is used for dipping. Wasabi is a green horseradish that is served as a thick paste. It can be mixed in with the soy sauce or added directly to the sushi. Gari is sweetened, pickled slices of ginger root.
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for DelightedCooking, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for DelightedCooking, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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![Hosomaki rolls underneath an uramaki roll, including some vegetarian rolls.]()
By: creative soulHosomaki rolls underneath an uramaki roll, including some vegetarian rolls. -
![Mushrooms are a common ingredient in vegetarian sushi.]()
By: mbongoMushrooms are a common ingredient in vegetarian sushi. -
![Shiitake mushrooms are a common ingredient in sushi.]()
By: Chris leachmanShiitake mushrooms are a common ingredient in sushi. -
![Avocado is a popular sushi filler.]()
By: Richard VillalonAvocado is a popular sushi filler. -
![The most common sushi condiments are wasabi, soy sauce, and pickled ginger.]()
By: Stanislav KomogorovThe most common sushi condiments are wasabi, soy sauce, and pickled ginger.
Discussion Comments
There is restaurant in my area that makes vegetarian sushi on the sushi buffet Rundocuri. It has a fabulous flavor, and is even better with a little ginger and soy sauce. When I eat it, and I don't feel like it is lacking flavor at all. It's very different than sushi with meat in it, but just as good in my opinion.
I have never tried vegetarian sushi fillings together in sushi. Does the combination have good flavor, or do you feel like you are missing the meat when you eat it?
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