Difference between: sushi and sashimi

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Can’t believe I haven’t written about this one before – we see them both on all sushi place menus: what’s the difference between sushi and sashimi?

sushi and sashimi

Definitions

Sushi: cold boiled rice moistened with rice vinegar, usually shaped into bite-size pieces and topped with raw seafood or formed into a long seafood-wrapped roll, often around strips of vegetables or raw fish, and sliced into bite-sized pieces

Sashimi: raw fish cut into very thin slices

Sushi

Sushi literally means “vinegar rice.” The vinegared rice is the key here – that’s what sushi has that sashimi doesn’t.

While sushi often contains raw fish, it doesn’t always, as with a California roll, for instance.

Sushi is simply vinegared rice that is mixed with other ingredients, which may or may not include raw fish. If there’s no rice, it’s not sushi.

Sashimi

Sashimi is raw sliced seafood which is usually served with a dipping sauce and is typically draped over a garnish like daikon radish.

Although the technical definition of sashimi only states fish, other sources indicate sashimi can be created from raw meat as well.

Conclusion

Sushi is vinegared rice paired with other ingredients, usually raw fish. Sashimi is raw fish with no rice that’s typically served over a garnish and with a dipping sauce.

See the difference between crab meat and imitation crab meat >>

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