Hand rolls, also called temaki sushi, are exactly what they sound like: sushi rolls made by hand. They’re a great way to start experimenting with making sushi at home, as you don’t need specialized equipment like a sushi mat. Plus, they’re incredibly flexible; you can fill them with anything you want to, from raw fish and veggies to more surprising fillings. So if you want to try your hand out at making temaki (pun intended), here are some tips you should follow.
Get Creative
When it comes to hand roll filling, try to combine contrasting flavor and texture combinations. For example, you can do cucumber with avocado and sautéed mushrooms or salmon with mango and tobiko.
Keep a Bowl of Water Around
The most important tip to keep in mind when making hand rolls is to keep a bowl of water around to wet your fingers before pressing your rice into your nori. After all, sushi rice can get pretty sticky, so this is a great way to avoid making a mess.
Pro tip: Keep a wet towel around, too, for wiping your hands off in between rolls.
Don’t Overstuff
Like with any type of sushi, it’s a good idea to try to be careful not to overstuff your hand rolls. In particular, we recommend not using too much rice, as then you won’t have space for all of your delicious temaki fillings.
