Soluna · Eixample · Barcelona

What is nigiri? The classic piece of sushi

Nigiri is a small ball of sushi rice, shaped by hand and topped with a slice of fish or shellfish. It is the most traditional form of Edo-style sushi.

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What is nigiri

From the verb “nigiru”, to squeeze. The sushi chef takes a portion of rice, shapes it gently, adds a touch of wasabi and places the neta (the fish) on top. Sometimes it is tied with a strip of nori.

Difference from maki

Maki is rolled in nori and sliced; nigiri is shaped by hand and has no seaweed (with exceptions). Both use rice seasoned with vinegar.

Maki is rolled in nori and sliced; nigiri is shaped by hand and has no seaweed (with exceptions).

How to eat it

Take it by hand or with chopsticks. Dip the fish lightly in soy sauce, never the rice, and eat it in one bite. Pickled ginger cleanses the palate between pieces.

Rice: half of the nigiri

The temperature, vinegar and texture of the rice matter as much as the fish. A good nigiri has slightly warm rice and grains that separate as you chew.