Mastering 3 Techniques to Create Salmon Sushi, Fresh and Flavorful - Mytour

Sushi is a traditional dish of Japan. There are many different types of sushi, but undoubtedly, the most delicious and impressive one is salmon sushi. The fresh and delicious taste of salmon combined with the rich flavor of Japanese rice will leave anyone impressed after tasting it. Join Mytour now to learn 3 ways to make salmon sushi without any fishy taste, just as good as in restaurants below!

1. Things You Might Not Know About Salmon Sushi

Salmon sushi is known as a famous traditional dish of the Land of the Rising Sun - Japan. This delicious dish is a combination of fresh salmon and Japanese rice mixed with sugar, vinegar, salt... When eating, people often dip it in soy sauce, wasabi, and accompany it with Japanese ginger and shiso leaves.

Photo: Funi Japan

Not only is salmon sushi delicious, but it is also very nutritious and beneficial to health. Salmon contains a lot of nutrients such as Omega, antioxidant Astaxanthin, provides protein, and reduces diseases. In Japan, there are many ways to prepare salmon sushi. However, the simplest is to use cooked and raw salmon. Below, Mytour will reveal to you 3 simple but delicious ways to make salmon sushi just like in restaurants!

2. How to Make Cooked Salmon Sushi (Salmon Avocado Rolls)

Avocado is one of the common ingredients used by Japanese chefs to accompany salmon sushi. Avocado contains a lot of fiber, fat combined with the nutrients in salmon, so it is particularly beneficial to health. You can combine avocado with vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers to make salmon avocado rolls!

Ingredients Needed

• 3 cups of white rice (preferably cooked with Japanese rice) 
• 200g salmon fillet (skin removed) 
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• 2 cucumbers, sliced rectangularly
• ½ avocado, thinly sliced
• 4 nori seaweed sheets
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Photo: collected

Instructions for Making Salmon Avocado Sushi Rolls

Step 1: After cooking the rice, mix it with 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. 

Step 2: Marinate the salmon with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper for about 5 minutes, then grill in the oven at 200°C for 8 to 10 minutes until the salmon is cooked. Once the salmon is cooked, let it cool and then use a fork to flake it into small pieces. 

Step 3: Place a bamboo sushi mat on a flat surface, then place a sheet of nori seaweed on top (shiny side down). Before rolling the sushi, wet your hands to prevent sticking and spread a layer of filtered water on the surface of the seaweed. 

Photo: collected

Step 4: Evenly spread the rice over the entire surface of the seaweed. Then, layer the carrot, cucumber, 1 tablespoon of salmon, and 2-3 slices of avocado in sequence. Finally, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top. 

Step 5: Use your index finger to hold the filling and start rolling the bamboo mat. The tighter you hold, the firmer and tighter the sushi will be. Once rolled, remove the sushi from the bamboo mat and place it on a clean cutting board. Use a knife dipped in water to prevent sticking, then cut the sushi into small pieces. 

Photo: collected

Finished Product

Salmon avocado sushi roll has a firm texture, not easily broken. The rice part has a rich, fragrant taste. The salmon is tender, blending perfectly with the creamy avocado. To enhance the flavor of the dish, you can dip it in soy sauce and enjoy it with Japanese ginger. 

3. How to Make Live Salmon Sushi Rolls

Live salmon is a favorite dish for many people. Because raw salmon retains more nutrients compared to processed ones. Below, Mytour will suggest you a recipe for making delicious live salmon sushi rolls that are still very hygienic and good for health. 

Ingredients Needed

• 1 bowl of Japanese rice
• 4 seaweed sheets
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 
• ½ cucumber, sliced into rectangular pieces
• 150g salmon fillet (skin removed) 
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• ½ avocado, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons fine salt
• 3 teaspoons white sugar
• A dash of sesame oil

Photo: collected

Instructions for Making Live Salmon Sushi Rolls

Step 1: Mix the rice with 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons of fine salt, 3 teaspoons of white sugar, and a dash of sesame oil. Divide the salmon into 2 parts: one part cut into rectangular pieces, and the other thinly sliced into larger pieces to cover the sushi.

Image: collected

Step 2: Place a seaweed sheet on a flat surface. Then evenly spread rice over the entire surface of the seaweed (avoid making the rice too thick).

Image: collected

Step 3: Place the seaweed and rice layer side down onto the bamboo mat for rolling sushi (rice side facing downwards).

Step 4: Layer cucumber, carrot, avocado, and salmon on the seaweed sheet, one by one, with salmon on top.

Step 5: Secure the filling by tightly rolling the bamboo mat with your index finger. The tighter the roll, the firmer the salmon sushi. After rolling, remove the bamboo mat and thinly layer the salmon on top (rice side). Roll again with the bamboo mat to firmly attach the salmon onto the sushi.

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Step 6: Dip a knife into water and cut into bite-sized pieces. Then, arrange the salmon sushi on a plate for serving.

Mytour suggestion: How to make delicious fresh salmon salad

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Final Product:

Fresh and delicious salmon salad. The salmon is not fishy, with a certain softness. The sushi rice is soft, fragrant, and not hard or dry. Live salmon sushi will taste even better when enjoyed with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Note: It is advisable to consume fresh salmon sushi immediately after preparation. Avoid leaving sushi overnight. 

Image: collected

4. How to make salmon Nigiri sushi

Nigiri is one of the popular sushi types in Japan. Perhaps you didn't know, in Japanese, Nigiri means “to press tightly”, “to squeeze”. That's exactly how the famous Nigiri sushi is made. Unlike traditional round-shaped sushi, Nigiri is longer and thinner. The rice is mixed with rice vinegar, then a layer of wasabi is spread on it before topping it with a slice of fresh salmon. 

Ingredients Needed

• 1 bowl of Japanese rice (short-grain rice)
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ½ tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 150g salmon fillet
• 2 teaspoons mustard

How to Make Salmon Nigiri Sushi

Step 1: Slice the salmon thinly at a 30 – 45-degree angle, about 1cm thick. Mytour recommends cutting it into pieces about 7cm long and 2.5cm wide.

Step 2: After cooking the rice, let it cool slightly then mix in rice vinegar, ½ tablespoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt until well combined. 

Step 3: Take about 2 tablespoons of rice and press it firmly into an oval shape. Shape the sushi with a flat bottom and rounded top. Keep your hands wet while shaping the sushi to prevent the rice from sticking. 

Step 4: Place a small amount of wasabi under the salmon piece, then place the salmon on top of the shaped sushi rice. 

Finished Product After Completion

Nirigi-style salmon sushi will allow you to fully savor the flavor of fresh salmon. The rice should be tender, not dry, hard, or too mushy. The salmon slice should be just right, not too thick or too thin. The salmon should be tender, not mushy, and still retain its fresh deliciousness.

5. Some Tips for Making Salmon Sushi

To ensure your sushi tastes as good as those from a restaurant, pay attention to the following tips:

• Choosing the right rice for sushi

One of the crucial factors determining the success of the dish is the rice. You should opt for authentic Japanese rice with round grains. The advantage of this type of Japanese rice is that it's very sticky but doesn't become mushy or overly soft when cooked.

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• How to cook the best rice for delicious salmon sushi

Firstly, when washing Japanese rice, you only need to wash it 2-3 times and should not rub it too hard to avoid losing its nutritional value. Soak the rice for about 5-10 minutes, then discard the soaking water, add fresh water, and cook. After the rice is cooked, mix it with 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt (proportions apply to 3 cups of rice).

• How to preserve live salmon

When making salmon sushi, you should choose salmon from reputable sources with clear import origins. To preserve the freshest salmon, rinse it with diluted salt water and refrigerate if using on the same day. Alternatively, if you want to preserve the salmon for a longer period, store it in the freezer compartment (up to 3 months maximum).

Here are 3 simple yet delicious salmon sushi recipes. Hopefully, with the recipes suggested by Mytour Blog above, you can easily prepare them for the whole family to enjoy!

Explore more delicious recipes: 

• How to Make Delicious Tomato Salmon Sauce
• 3 Delicious Pan-Seared Salmon Recipes with Soy Sauce