There was a time when sushi was considered the food of elites, or such was portrayed in American TV sitcoms. Even in India, people had heard of sushi from celebrities, but that was a decade ago. Now, many Indian restaurants featuring Asian cuisine are selling sushi in different varieties that even Japanese would not imagine.
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While many are aware that sushi has originated in Japan, there are a few who confuse it with Chinese sushi. Both countries have these rice based delights as a part of their culinary scene, but they differ from each other on many accounts. Here is your guide to understanding the differences between Japanese and Chinese sushi.
Japanese Vs Chinese Sushi: Origin
It is no hidden secret that sushi originated in Japan as a brilliant idea to preserve fish by fermenting it with sticky rice grains. As the time passed and culinary experts experimented with it, sushi became a delicacy for which Japanese use raw fish, vinegared rice, and many other ingredients. In China, sushi is not a traditional food but a Chinese twist to Japanese rice-fish dish. It was adapted and modified to suit the paletes of locals.
Japanese Vs Chinese Sushi: Ingredients
The traditional Japanese sushi comprises fresh raw fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel. It is rolled with seaweed (nori) and quality vinegered rice before serving with soy sauce and wasabi. The Chinese variant of the dish incorporates other kinds of meat like chicken and pork, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and mayonnaise. It has a diverse texture and flavour compared to the traditional one.
Japanese Vs Chinese Sushi: Presentation
The presentation of Japanese sushi is minimal, quite like how Japanese are. The focus in on making the dish irresistible and capturing the raw beauty of ingredients. Bite-sized sushi pieces are served with a harmonious blend of notes and colours. Chinese sushi is vibrant and served with a few decorative elements. It might also be served in non-traditional shapes and sizes.
Japanese Vs Chinese Sushi: Dining Experience
Ask a foodie or an expert who like to indulge in these delicacies and knows a lot about nitty-gritties of a dish, they will tell you that sushi is an acquired taste. If you like the traditional sushi, you will have an amazing dining experience as you witness the chef assembling and arranging each ingredient with perfection. Chinese sushi is more of a casual dish served in buffets or can be ordered for home. It offers a comforting experience and settles with a wider palette.
Japanese Vs Chinese Sushi: Methods
Japanese sushi is all about precision as chefs undergo rigorous training acing the art of cooking and assembling ingredients. There balance between texture and flavours should be perfect, while rice is seasoned with sugar, vinegar, and salt, and fish is precisely sliced to an ideal thickness standard. The preapration of Chinese sushi is experimental as the chef can alter the seasoning of rice, use a variety of meats to compliment the vegetables and fruits. It is more about fusion of flavours rather than perfection.
Japanese Vs Chinese Sushi: Variants
In Japan, sushi has many variants, including maki (rice and fish rolled in seaweed), temaki (hand-rolled cones of seaweed stuffed with rice and remining ingredients), nigiri (slices of fish arranged on small rice balls), and chirashi (bowl of sushi rice topped with various ingredients). Chinese chefs use cooked meat, creamy sauces, and tropical fruits to create variants that can leave your taste buds tantalised as you try to make of what has been added to it.