The Most Popular Sushi Roll in Japan, Ranked

Choose the sushi roll you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 20, 2024 07:37
In Japan, sushi rolls are more than just a meal; they are a deep-rooted part of the culinary culture, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Each region may have its own preferred flavor that reflects its unique ingredients and culinary history. By ranking these popular sushi rolls, newcomers can quickly find the most loved varieties and where they originated, adding an educational layer to their dining experience. A live, ongoing vote conducted by sushi enthusiasts enables a dynamic list that reflects the current preferences and trends across Japan. This allows both new and experienced sushi lovers to see which rolls are captivating the taste buds of the masses at any given moment. Your participation helps ensure the accuracy and relevancy of the rankings, offering a continuously updated guide to Japan's favorite sushi rolls.

What Is the Most Popular Sushi Roll in Japan?

  1. 1
    85
    votes
    Maguro is the most popular fish for sushi in Japan due to its rich flavor and texture. It is often served in nigiri form, but it can also be found in various sushi rolls.
    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
    33
    votes

    California Roll

    Ichiro Mashita
    A sushi roll with crab meat, avocado, and cucumber. It was invented in the United States but became popular in Japan due to its western influence.
    The California Roll is a type of sushi roll that originated in the United States. It is made by rolling sushi rice, avocado, and imitation crab meat in a sheet of seaweed called nori. The roll is then sliced into bite-sized pieces.
    • Ingredients: Sushi rice, avocado, and imitation crab meat
    • Seaweed: Nori
    • Shape: Rolled
    • Size: Bite-sized pieces
    • Flavor: Sweet and savory
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    Ebi is a popular sushi ingredient due to its sweet and delicate flavor. It can be found in various sushi rolls, such as Ebi Tempura Roll.
    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
  4. 4
    8
    votes
    Tekka Maki (tuna roll)
    Ocdp · CC0
    A simple sushi roll made with only tuna and rice. It is a classic and traditional sushi roll that is popular in Japan and worldwide.
    Tekka Maki, also known as the tuna roll, is a traditional type of sushi roll in Japan. It is made by wrapping sushi rice and fresh raw tuna in a sheet of roasted seaweed (nori). The name 'Tekka' refers to the vibrant red color of the tuna. This classic sushi roll is known for its simplicity and delicious taste, making it a popular choice among sushi enthusiasts.
    • Main Ingredient: Tuna
    • Seaweed: Roasted Nori
    • Rice: Sushi Rice
    • Texture: Soft
    • Shape: Cylindrical
  5. 5
    15
    votes
    A sushi roll with salmon, avocado, and cucumber. It is a popular sushi roll in Japan due to its mild and delicate flavor.
    The Salmon Roll is a popular sushi roll in Japan that features fresh salmon as the main ingredient. It is a maki roll, which means that the rice and filling are wrapped in a sheet of seaweed called nori and then cut into bite-sized pieces. The salmon used in the roll is typically raw or lightly seared, resulting in a buttery texture and a delicate flavor. The roll is often accompanied by additional ingredients such as cucumber, avocado, or cream cheese to enhance its taste and texture.
    • Main Ingredient: Salmon
    • Roll Type: Maki
    • Seaweed Wrap: Nori
    • Cooking Style: Raw or Lightly Seared
    • Texture: Buttery
  6. 6
    6
    votes
    Unagi is a popular sushi ingredient due to its rich and savory flavor. It can be found in various sushi rolls, such as Unagi Nigiri and Unagi Roll.
    Unagi sushi, also known as Nagoya-style unagi, is a popular sushi roll in Japan that features grilled freshwater eel served on top of vinegared rice. The eel is marinated in a sweet soy-based sauce before being grilled to caramelized perfection. The combination of the tender and smoky eel with the tangy rice creates a delightful flavor profile that is loved by sushi enthusiasts.
    • Type: Sushi Roll
    • Main Ingredient: Unagi (Freshwater Eel)
    • Flavor Profile: Sweet and Smoky
    • Texture: Tender and Succulent
    • Sauce: Sweet Soy-based
  7. 7
    11
    votes
    A sushi roll made with soft-shell crab, avocado, and cucumber. It is a popular sushi roll in Japan due to its crispy texture and unique flavor.
    The Spider Roll is a popular sushi roll in Japan that is known for its unique presentation and delicious taste. It is a type of inside-out roll, which means that the rice is on the outside and the nori (seaweed) is on the inside. The key ingredient of the Spider Roll is crispy deep-fried soft-shell crab, which gives it a crunchy texture and a distinct flavor. The roll is typically filled with other ingredients such as avocado, cucumber, and spicy mayonnaise to add a creamy and spicy element to the dish. The Spider Roll is often garnished with tobiko (flying fish roe) or sesame seeds for added visual appeal.
    • Roll type: Inside-out
    • Key ingredient: Deep-fried soft-shell crab
    • Filling ingredients: Avocado, cucumber, spicy mayonnaise
    • Texture: Crunchy
    • Flavor: Distinct
  8. 8
    5
    votes
    A large sushi roll made with various ingredients, such as tamagoyaki (sweet omelet), cucumber, kanpyo (dried gourd), and shiitake mushroom. It is a traditional sushi roll that is popular in Japan.
    Futomaki is a traditional and widely beloved sushi roll in Japan. It is a large cylindrical roll that typically contains a variety of colorful and flavorful ingredients, such as strips of cooked egg, cucumbers, pickled vegetables, and seasoned fish like tuna or salmon. The ingredients are tightly wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed) and surrounded by a layer of sushi rice. Futomaki is often sliced into bite-sized pieces and served with soy sauce and wasabi.
    • Size: Larger than regular sushi rolls, typically 2-3 inches in diameter
    • Number of Ingredients: Commonly contains 4-6 different ingredients
    • Nori Placement: Nori is wrapped around the rice and ingredients, forming the outer layer
    • Flavor Profile: A balanced combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors
    • Texture: Offers a satisfying chewy texture from the nori and various fillings
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    A sushi roll made with fatty tuna and scallions. It is a popular sushi roll in Japan due to its rich and savory flavor.
    The Negitoro Roll is a popular sushi roll in Japan that consists of fatty tuna belly, called toro, and finely chopped green onions, or negi, wrapped in a sheet of seaweed and rice. The combination of the melt-in-your-mouth toro and the refreshing crunch of the negi creates a delectable balance of flavors and textures.
    • Main ingredients: Fatty tuna belly (toro) and finely chopped green onions (negi)
    • Seaweed: Nori
    • Rice: Sushi rice
    • Texture: Creamy and crunchy
    • Flavor: Rich and savory with a refreshing onion taste
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    Inari Sushi
    Ocdp · CC BY-SA 3.0
    A type of sushi made with fried tofu pouches filled with sushi rice. It is a popular sushi dish in Japan due to its sweet and savory flavor.
    Inari sushi is a traditional Japanese sushi roll that consists of sweet and tangy flavored sushi rice filled inside a pouch made of fried tofu (abura-age). It is often enjoyed as a finger food or a light snack. The tofu pouch absorbs the flavor of the marinade, making it soft and delicious. Inari sushi is commonly served at celebratory occasions, bento boxes, or found in sushi restaurants throughout Japan.
    • Sushi Rice: Sweet and tangy
    • Tofu Pouch: Fried tofu (abura-age)
    • Flavor: Soft, sweet, and tangy
    • Presentation: Small, bite-sized rolls
    • Usage: Finger food, light snack, bento box, celebratory occasions

Missing your favorite sushi roll?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular sushi roll

  1. Some key factors that can be taken into account while ranking popular sushi rolls in Japan are
  2. Taste
    The taste of the sushi roll is very important and can make or break its popularity. Sushi rolls with unique or delicious flavors may be more popular.
  3. Ingredients
    The quality and freshness of the ingredients used in the sushi roll is also crucial. Sushi rolls made with high-quality fish or unique ingredients may be more popular.
  4. Presentation
    The presentation of the sushi roll is important as it can add to the overall experience. Sushi rolls that are aesthetically pleasing and well-presented may be more popular.
  5. Price
    The price of the sushi roll can also influence its popularity, as people are often willing to pay more for high-quality or unique sushi rolls.
  6. Availability
    The availability of the sushi roll is also important, as it may be more popular if it is widely available and easily accessible.

About this ranking

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

Statistics

  • 1717 views
  • 191 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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

More information on most popular sushi roll in japan

Sushi is a popular Japanese dish that has become a global sensation. Originating from the Edo period, sushi has evolved over the centuries and includes a variety of ingredients and styles. In Japan, sushi rolls, or maki, are a popular choice among sushi lovers. Maki rolls are made by wrapping rice and a variety of ingredients inside seaweed, also known as nori. These ingredients can include raw fish, vegetables, and other seafood. With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which sushi roll is the most popular in Japan. However, through various polls and surveys, it has been discovered that the salmon roll, or sake maki, is one of the most beloved sushi rolls in Japan.

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