A College Girl's Guide to Homemade Sushi Night
Here at The Edge, we believe there’s truly nothing better than a sushi dinner. We’ve taken it up a notch, making your next sushi night both delicious and exciting! Planning homemade dinners with your roommates or best friends is one way to make these long weeks fly by. When it comes to choosing the perfect dish, sushi is always the answer. We thought we’d share some tips and tricks for hosting an unforgettable homemade sushi night that will leave everyone coming back for more. From selecting authentic ingredients from local grocery stores to mastering the art of rolling, we’ve got you covered!
Tools You’ll Need
We try to keep these homemade sushi nights on a college student budget, so the only tools you’ll need are a bamboo sushi rolling mat, some chopsticks and a sharp knife for cutting your rolls. We swear by this Amazon sushi-making kit for beginners!
Buying The Ingredients
The best part about homemade sushi night is that the options aren’t limited to a menu, so get creative! We love making everything from simple California rolls to sweet and spicy mango rolls; the kitchen is your canvas! Whether you’re a seafood lover or prefer vegetarian options, there are no rules when it comes to choosing your fillings. We love experimenting with unique flavor combinations and authentic sauces purchased from a local Greensboro international grocery store called Super Global Mart, located at 4927 W Market St, Greensboro. But don’t worry; you can buy all these ingredients at surrounding grocery stores in Burlington. We’ve listed our homemade sushi night grocery list below for some inspiration, but feel free to mix it up.
Large carrots
Mango
Cucumbers
Imitation crab meat
Shrimp tempura
Seaweed salad
LOTS of sticky rice — we suggest Annie Chun’s white sticky rice (you’ll need a lot of it; it goes quickly)
Avocado
Sesame seeds
Eel sauce, spicy mayo, soy sauce and rice vinegar
Pickled ginger
Wasabi
Nori sheets
How to Prep and Roll Your Sushi:
Prepare the rice
For a quick prep, we opt for microwavable sushi rice. After microwaving, mix in some rice vinegar for extra stickiness. Pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes to cool down. This step is a game-changer for smooth rolling!
Prepare the fillings
As you wait for the rice to cool, have someone chop your vegetables and seafood on a large cutting board. Thinly slice all the vegetables and use a vegetable peeler for the carrots.
Add ingredients and prepare to roll
Once you prep your ingredients, it’s time for the tricky part: rolling. Covering your bamboo sushi mat with saran wrap makes for easier cleanup — you’ll thank us at the end! Then, lay your nori sheet smooth side down on the mat and pack your rice all around the sheet, leaving some room around the sides. Make sure to wet your hands for this part to avoid the rice from sticking. Next, add the preferred fillings in the center on top of the rice.
Roll the sushi
Now, the art of rolling begins, and don’t get discouraged — it might not work the first time. Start rolling from the bottom using the bamboo mat, tightly tucking in the fillings as you go. Seal the roll with your finger and some water or soy sauce.
Cut and present your sushi rolls
Use a sharp, clean knife to cut the sushi rolls into your desired size. Make sure to clean the blade after every roll to ensure a clean cut. Once you finish making your rolls, arrange them on your cutting board with all the sides and sauces. Don’t forget to take pictures of your sushi masterpiece and enjoy!
Our Top Three Favorite Simple Rolls
California Roll: Sliced cucumber, peeled carrots, imitation crab meat, avocado and a sauce of your choice. We recommend spicy mayo for this one.
Shrimp Tempura Roll: Sliced cucumber, peeled carrots, cooked shrimp tempura and sesame seeds to top. Eel sauce is great on this one.
Mango Veggie Roll: Sliced cucumber, sliced mango, avocado and peeled carrots. We love pairing this with a wasabi and soy sauce dip, making it sweet and spicy!
What to Pair with Your Sushi
Steamed edamame with salt
Dumplings of your choice (are you even a college student if you don’t already have these in your freezer?)
Seaweed salad
Pickled ginger
We hope you have an absolute blast making these homemade sushi rolls with your besties. We’d love to see your sushi creations, so make sure to tag us on Instagram @theedgemag. Happy rolling!