The Most Popular Sushi in Japan, Ranked

Choose the sushi you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:51
Sushi, a staple of Japanese cuisine, offers a variety of flavors and styles, making it a subject of personal preferences and regional specialties. For travelers and locals alike, deciphering the most enjoyable sushi can be a challenge amid such diversity. A live ranking system, driven by comprehensive public voting, brings clarity by highlighting the top choices based on collective preference. Vote for your favorite sushi to influence the rankings and ensure your preferred choices rise to prominence. Each vote helps paint a clearer picture of general tastes and trending varieties. This dynamic ranking not only guides newcomers but also sparks curiosity among sushi aficionados about potential new favorites.

What Is the Most Popular Sushi in Japan?

  1. 1
    57
    votes
    Maguro is the most popular sushi in Japan and is commonly found in most sushi restaurants. It has a rich, buttery taste and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
    Maguro, also known as tuna, is one of the most popular types of sushi in Japan. It is highly prized for its rich flavor, tender texture, and vibrant red color. The meat of the maguro is usually served raw or lightly seared, allowing its natural taste to shine. The creator of maguro sushi is unknown, as it has been consumed in Japan for centuries as a traditional delicacy.
    • Type: Fish
    • Texture: Tender
    • Flavor: Rich
    • Color: Vibrant red
    • Preparation: Raw or lightly seared
  2. 2
    36
    votes
    Ebi is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served cooked or fried. It has a sweet and delicate flavor and is rich in protein.
    Ebi (shrimp) sushi is a classic Japanese delicacy that features a succulent and tender piece of shrimp atop a bite-sized mound of seasoned sushi rice. The shrimp is typically cooked, leaving it with a firm and juicy texture. It is then garnished with a small dollop of wasabi for a hint of spiciness and wrapped in a strip of nori (seaweed) to hold everything together. Ebi sushi is best enjoyed with a dab of soy sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
    • Type: Nigiri sushi
    • Main Ingredient: Shrimp
    • Preparation: Cooked
    • Texture: Firm and juicy
    • Garnish: Wasabi
  3. 3
    22
    votes
    Unagi is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served grilled with a sweet and savory sauce. It has a rich, smoky flavor and is high in protein.
    Unagi, or freshwater eel, is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine, particularly in sushi. It is known for its delicate, tender, and rich flavor. The eel is grilled and glazed with a special sauce, giving it a caramelized and slightly smoky taste. Unagi is often served over a bed of steamed or grilled rice, wrapped in a sheet of nori seaweed.
    • Texture: Delicate and tender
    • Flavor: Rich and slightly smoky
    • Preparation: Grilled and glazed
    • Sauce: Special caramelized glaze
    • Serving Style: Over rice, wrapped in nori seaweed
  4. 4
    20
    votes
    Tamago is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served as a dessert. It has a sweet flavor and a soft, custard-like texture.
    Tamago, also known as sweet omelet, is a popular type of sushi in Japan. It is made by mixing beaten eggs with sugar, soy sauce, and sometimes mirin (a type of rice wine). The mixture is then cooked into a fluffy omelet and rolled into a rectangular shape. Tamago sushi has a slightly sweet and savory flavor, with a soft and custard-like texture.
    • Type: Sushi
    • Flavor: Sweet and savory
    • Texture: Soft and custard-like
    • Shape: Rectangular
    • Main Ingredients: Eggs, sugar, soy sauce, mirin
  5. 5
    15
    votes
    Ikura is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served as a topping on nigiri sushi. It has a salty, briny flavor and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
    Ikura, also known as salmon roe, is a popular type of sushi in Japan. It consists of small, orange-red balls of roe which are typically harvested from salmon. The roe is lightly salted and has a distinct texture and flavor that is both briny and slightly sweet.
    • Color: Orange-red
    • Texture: Soft and slightly firm
    • Flavor: Briny and slightly sweet
    • Size: Small, approximately pea-sized
    • Harvested from: Salmon
  6. 6
    15
    votes
    Hamachi is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served raw. It has a buttery, mild flavor and is rich in protein.
    Hamachi, also known as yellowtail, is a popular type of sushi in Japan. It refers to the fish species Seriola quinqueradiata, which is native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The fish has a rich, buttery texture and a slightly sweet flavor, making it highly sought after for sushi dishes. The Hamachi sushi is typically served in thin slices on top of a bed of vinegared rice, and it can be enjoyed on its own or dipped in soy sauce for added flavor.
    • Fish Species: Seriola quinqueradiata (Yellowtail)
    • Texture: Rich and buttery
    • Flavor: Slightly sweet
    • Serving Style: Thin slices on top of vinegared rice
    • Condiment: Soy Sauce
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    Kani is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served as a topping on nigiri sushi. It has a sweet, delicate flavor and is rich in protein.
    Kani (crab) sushi is a type of sushi that prominently features fresh crab meat as the main ingredient. The succulent and sweet crab meat is often mixed with mayo or seasoned with soy sauce before being placed on a bed of seasoned sushi rice. This sushi variant is praised for its delicate taste and natural umami flavor.
    • Main Ingredient: Crab meat
    • Preparation: Mixed with mayo or seasoned with soy sauce
    • Sushi Rice: Seasoned
    • Taste: Delicate and sweet
    • Flavor: Umami
  8. 8
    11
    votes
    Anago is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served grilled with a sweet and savory sauce. It has a mild, sweet flavor and is high in protein.
    Anago, also known as saltwater eel, is a popular type of sushi in Japan. It is known for its delicate and tender texture, as well as its sweet and rich flavor. The eel is typically grilled and then seasoned with a special sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. The combination of the smoky eel and the savory sauce creates a delectable taste that is loved by many sushi enthusiasts.
    • Type: Sushi
    • Main Ingredient: Saltwater eel
    • Texture: Delicate and tender
    • Flavor: Sweet and rich
    • Preparation Method: Grilled
  9. 9
    11
    votes
    Toro is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served as a topping on nigiri sushi. It has a rich, buttery flavor and is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
    Toro, also known as fatty tuna in English, is one of the most highly prized and popular types of sushi in Japan. It refers to the belly portion of bluefin tuna, which is known for its rich flavor and velvety texture. The marbled fat found in toro gives it a luxurious taste and a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that sushi lovers adore.
    • Cut: Belly portion
    • Tuna Species: Bluefin tuna
    • Fat Content: High fat content, well-marbled
    • Color: Deep red to pink
    • Texture: Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    Inari is a popular sushi in Japan and is often served as a vegetarian option. It is made with tofu pockets filled with sushi rice and has a sweet and savory flavor.
    Inari, also known as tofu pockets, is a traditional Japanese sushi variety made of sweet and seasoned deep-fried tofu pouches. These golden pockets are typically filled with vinegared sushi rice, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Inari sushi is appreciated for its simplicity and unique taste, which appeals to both sushi enthusiasts and those new to Japanese cuisine.
    • Name: Inari (Tofu Pockets)
    • Main Ingredient: Deep-fried Tofu (Aburaage)
    • Filling: Sushi Rice (Seasoned with Vinegar)
    • Flavor Profile: Sweet and Savory
    • Texture: Soft, Chewy, and Moist

Missing your favorite sushi?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular sushi

  1. Taste
    The flavor and texture of the sushi are crucial factors in determining its popularity.
  2. Presentation
    The presentation of the sushi is important as it adds to the overall experience of dining.
  3. Freshness
    The quality and freshness of the ingredients used in the sushi are highly valued in Japan.
  4. Creativity
    The creativity and innovation in the sushi can also contribute to its popularity.
  5. Location
    The popularity of certain types of sushi may vary depending on the region in Japan.
  6. Price
    The price of sushi is also a significant factor that can affect its popularity, as some higher-end sushi may be less accessible to certain individuals or groups.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular sushi in Japan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Sushi is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1759 views
  • 198 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Sushi once every 24 hours. The rank of each Sushi is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular sushi in japan

Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that has become popular worldwide. It consists of vinegared rice combined with various ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, and sometimes even fruits. Despite the variety of sushi available, there are certain types that are more popular than others in Japan. Among these, the most popular sushi is nigiri, which consists of a small ball of rice topped with raw fish or other seafood. Other popular types include maki (rolled sushi), temaki (hand-rolled sushi), and sashimi (sliced raw fish without rice). Different regions of Japan also have their own unique sushi preferences, making it a diverse and fascinating culinary experience.

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