Temaki Sushi (Hand Rolls)

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Learn how to make sushi right at home with this simple Temaki sushi, or hand roll. No complex rolling, it's not too much more than making a taco or a burrito!

Plus, we're using amazing fillings like rich avocado, sashimi, salmon roe and pickled daikon (among others) all together with a creamy wasabi sauce.

If you're intimidated by making sushi, don't be! This recipe is a great way to get started as you don't have to make a neat and tidy roll.

And if it's a little messy at first, that's ok. The flavors are still incredible and it can be so much fun making it your own. This is also why it's perfect for parties - it's fun to make your own combination of fillings!

Not to mention the absolutely amazing wasabi mayonnaise we slather on the inside of the roll to take it over the top.

And if you want to make it even more decadent, top it with some Ikura (cured salmon roe). Although it is still delicious with just pain salmon roe (I LOVE the Ikura though).

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Ingredients
• Step By Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• Options and Variations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Storage Instructions
• Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

• It is versatile - you can put whatever you want in the roll - make it yours!
• The ingredients are so fresh and rich it makes for an amazing appetizer or meal.
• It is relatively easy to roll up if you have never made sushi before.
• It's great for parties as you can have a "make your own temaki" station!
• This can easily be made vegetarian by replacing the fish with vegetable or tofu.
• It's a healthy snack or meal with all the vegetables and fresh seafood!

Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Sheets of nori (or seaweed, but it will be called nori in the store) are a must to make this temaki. I recommend buying the best you can afford - most Asian markets will have it.

To make this recipe easy, I highly recommend using my Instant Pot sushi rice recipe so you don't really have to worry about the rice at all. It comes out perfect every time.

I am personally a sucker for salmon, but you can use any raw fish of your choosing - just make sure it is sashimi quality to ensure it is safe to eat raw. You can also use this sushi crab mix!

This recipe uses cucumber, avocado, shiso leaves, radish sprouts and pickled daikon radish, but you an use whatever you like for the accompaniments.

Mayonnaise (you can use kewpie mayonnaise too for even better results) and wasabi paste are used to make the wasabi mayonnaise. You can adjust it to your preference (I like a good amount of wasabi in mine).

Salmon roe (also try this Ikura) is an amazing topping to this temaki sushi giving it an extra burst of umami. If you can't find it, you can omit this.

Step By Step Instructions

Cut a sheet of nori in half and place it in the palm of your hand, diagonal (shiny side down).

Place about ¼ cup of sushi rice toward the left side and spread it out.

Add the shiso leaves, a smear of the wasabi mayonnaise, cucumber, radish, avocado and sashimi (being careful not to overfill).

Roll the bottom left corner up toward the middle to create a cone. Secure the nori with a little sushi rice or water.

Sprinkle salmon roe and radish sprouts in the top of the hand roll and serve.

Wasabi Mayonnaise Instructions

To make the wasabi mayonnaise, mix the wasabi and mayonnaise together well. Add more or less wasabi as desired.

Expert Tips

1. Wet your fingers before pressing the rice onto the nori to prevent it from sticking to your hands.
2. Be sure to buy fresh sashimi/sushi quality fish (or fish meant to be eaten raw). Ask the fishmonger if is is meant to be eaten raw to make sure.
3. Adjust the amount of wasabi in your mayonnaise depending on preference.
4. Use small amounts of fillings to ensure you don't overfill your hand roll (this makes it hard and messy to eat).
5. Make sure the sushi rice is made in advance so it's ready when you are.
6. Make it vegan by using vegetables only and replacing the mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise.

Options and Variations

You can use a variety of ingredients and toppings to make a handroll. Try some of these fun ideas:

• Instead of (or in addition to), use pickled ginger in your handroll.
• Use tamago (egg) - this is one of my favorites if you can find time to make the tamago (it's easy).
• Spicy tuna, sushi crab mix or maguro (marinated tuna)- all of these work amazing in a hand roll!
• Marinated seaweed.
• Surimi (imitation crab), uni (sea urchin roe), shrimp, scallop, marinated tofu, any other kind of fish roe for topping. You can even use a good quality canned tuna or canned salmon to make this in a pinch.
• This air fryer chicken karaage or pieces of this delicious sous vide teriyaki chicken work perfectly in this if you prefer to stay away from seafood. Also consider this chicken katsu with the gravy.
• Try this sous vide bulgogi and kimchi as a filling (so good!!).
• Any kind of dipping sauce - soy sauce, eel sauce, sweet soy sauce, this premade Japanese creamy togarashi sauce, and tamari.
• Carrot, green onions, mango, corn, sprouts, sesame seeds, kimchi (yes, this can be fun).

And if you're feeling a little lazy, you should definitely try this ultra comforting sushi bake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Instructions

This temaki is best served fresh. If you have leftovers, the vegetables can be stored in covered containers in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Leftover fish (and roe) can be stored for 1 days MAX in a covered container (separate from vegetables). It may be unsafe to eat raw if kept for longer than this.

Store leftover nori in a ziplock bag at room temperature to keep it fresh.

If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below and let us know your favorite thing about it. We'd also love to connect on Instagram! Follow us at @went_here_8_this for awesome recipes and all sorts of fun food stuff 🙂

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