Can jasmine rice be used for sushi?

Rice is an integral part of Japanese culture and a daily staple eaten by millions of people in this cradle of one of the world’s most popular dishes: sushi.

Although not the most exciting part of the sushi, the rice is perhaps the most essential part. And if you want to master the art of making sushi, you have to learn the basics of rice.

The first thing to understand is that not all types of rice are the same. You may think that rice is rice, right? But no, it’s not like that.

If you want to make a particular rice-centric dish, like sushi, you need to consider the type of rice you choose and how you cook it.

Sushi rice is made from short-grain Japanese rice, which is then seasoned with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.

With that being said, can you use jasmine rice for sushi?

No, if you want to make authentic Japanese sushi, jasmine rice is not the best option. Jasmine rice is long grain rice and does not contain enough starch to hold it together in a sushi roll.

Read on to learn why you shouldn’t use jasmine rice for sushi, how to make the best sushi rice at home, and more.

Why you shouldn’t use jasmine rice for sushi

It can be said that sushi is only as good as the rice with which it is made. The type of rice you use and the way you prepare it can be what separates great sushi from mediocre, or even bad.

Some of the outstanding characteristics of good sushi rice are that it retains its original shape but sticks without being mushy, is both tender and firm, and is well seasoned for a sweet, sour, and salty sushi roll.

Short-grain rice, such as Japanese, tends to be starchier, allowing the grains to stick together when making sushi rolls.

Jasmine rice, on the other hand, is a type of long-grain rice that has a dry, fluffy texture and grains that don’t stick together , both of which are a definite no-no for sushi.

Other popular examples of long-grain rice are Mexican rice, traditional American long-grain white or brown rice, and basmati rice.

Jasmine rice is easily recognizable by its length and cylindrical shape, and it is one of the most widely used varieties, especially in the West, which is probably why some people are inclined to use it to make sushi rolls.

Although it can be a good choice for other dishes, its sponginess and inability to stick make it a poor choice for sushi.

Jasmine rice will not give you the right texture, or authentic flavor, for making traditional Japanese sushi. It will be much drier, lack the necessary stickiness, and you simply won’t be able to enjoy your sushi as you should.

To experience the authentic intended taste of Japanese sushi, you should only use short grain Japanese rice. It is very different from any type of long grain rice and has a unique stickiness that is perfect for making the most delicious sushi.

What kind of rice can you use for sushi?

If you want to go the traditional and more authentic route, you should go for Japanese Short Grain Sushi Rice, also known as Sushi Rice, which is seasoned with vinegar, sugar and salt for a perfectly balanced flavor.

However, if you feel like making sushi and can’t get your hands on Japanese short grain rice, don’t worry, there are other good substitutes you can try!

Before we go any further on this, we feel the need to reiterate that authentic sushi is only made with Japanese short-grain rice, and while you can try other varieties, they will taste different.

So moving on, we recommend using short or medium grain rice for making sushi, and avoiding any long grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati, as it won’t stick together and cause your sushi roll to fall apart.

Short grain rice has a higher level of amylopectin, which is a starch molecule responsible for making rice sticky.

Most varieties of short-grain rice, such as short-grain brown rice, contain this starchy compound, making it a good substitute for sushi rice.

You can try using arborio rice, which is often used to make risotto and is creamy and sticky, both of which are great for making sure your sushi rolls stay put.

If you can’t find good quality short grain rice, you can make your sushi using some medium grain varieties as well, like Calrose rice.

Calrose rice is ideal for dishes like sushi, soups, and salads, as it becomes slightly soft and sticky, has a mild flavor, and can absorb strong ingredients easily.

It was actually cultivated in California in the 1950s as an authentic Western variety of rice and an excellent substitute for Japanese sushi rice. It is widely used in many restaurants and is easily available everywhere.

Another variety of medium grain rice that you can use for sushi is Italian vialone, which is quite similar to Japanese rice.

How to make the best sushi rice

Sushi rice is the foundation of good sushi and countless other delicious dishes, including onigiri, poke bowls, hand rolls, and more.

To make the best sushi rice, you need a few things:

• Japanese short grain sushi rice
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt

The first step is to wash the rice well under running cold water to remove any extra bran and starch residue that may remain in the rice.

For best results, we recommend soaking rice in cold water for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

This small step allows the rice to rehydrate and avoids any texture issues that can arise when immediately boiling dry rice.

Once the rice is soaked and done, cook it with water, making sure to use a little less water than you normally would for that amount of rice. This will prevent it from getting mushy when you mix the rice with the vinegar seasoning.

You can use a rice cooker to make the process even easier, or simply prepare the rice in a saucepan or Instant Pot on the stovetop.

Simultaneously, combine a little rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until everything is dissolved. No need to cook or bring to a boil.

When the rice is cooked, pour the vinegar sushi mix over it and spread it out to allow any excess moisture to evaporate.

Be sure to do this step in a utensil or container with as much surface area as possible, as it will not only prevent the rice from absorbing too much liquid and become soggy, but it will also give it a nice glossy finish.

Related questions

Now that you know how to make the best sushi rice and whether or not jasmine rice is a good choice, here are some additional questions we thought you might have!

Is Japanese rice the same as sticky rice?

In some Western countries, especially the US, you will often hear people refer to Japanese rice as “sticky rice” due to its sticky texture.

As “sticky rice” is not a type of rice, but an informal term used to describe the texture of rice that is sticky, it can have different connotations in different cultural contexts.

While in the US the term “sticky rice” is often used in place of sushi rice, in most Asian cultures it is often used to refer to glutinous or sweet rice.

How long does sushi rice last?

Uncooked, sushi rice can last a long time if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Although it does not expire, it has a preferred consumption date.

Once cooked, you can store it in an airtight box in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also store individual servings in freezer-safe bags and freeze them safely for up to 6 months.

However, if the cooked rice has been seasoned, it should be used immediately. If you store it in the fridge, it will dry out, and if you freeze it, it will become too soft when thawed to make sushi rolls.

Why is vinegar needed for sushi rice?

The word “sushi” comes from the word “su-me-shi”, where “su” means vinegar and “shi” means rice. Therefore, vinegar is an essential part of the dish, without which it would not be considered traditional Japanese sushi.

Sushi vinegar is made by mixing rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, which is then added to freshly prepared rice for a refreshing flavor that is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty.

If you can’t find rice vinegar, you can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, or lemon or lime juice instead.