Get ready to make perfectly rolled sushi with my recommended sushi-making kits!
When people around the world think of Japanese food, sushi is surely one of the first dishes that springs to mind. Sushi is more than just a few rolls of fish, rice, and seaweed — in fact, it’s united by the use of rice seasoned with sweetened vinegar. And, despite its often beautiful presentation, it’s not too difficult to make at home, especially when you have the best sushi-making kits in your kitchen arsenal.
The best sushi-making kits come with a few essential tools, including a sushi oke (traditional sushi rice mixing tub), utensils like paddles for handling rice, along with handy bamboo mats for making rolled sushi like hosomaki and futomaki.
To create my list of the best sushi-making kits, I considered my own hands-on experience making yummy handrolls. I also looked at tons of customer reviews, ratings, and recommendations from respected food publications. Read on to learn about which one best meets your needs!
My Top Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: JapanBargain Sushi Making Kit with Hangiri – $26.99 at Amazon
- Best with Hangiri: BambooMN Hangiri Oke Sushi Making Serving Accessory Kit – $34.95 at Amazon
- Best Accessories: Delamu Sushi Making Kit, 20-in-1 – $22.78 at Amazon
- Best Basic Kit: Delamu Sushi Making Kit – $9.99 at Amazon
- Best With Ingredients: Global Grub DIY Sushi Making Kit – $35.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Sushi-Making Kits
1. What’s in My Kitchen: JapanBargain Sushi Making Kit with Hangiri
I love this sushi-making kit from JapanBargain! It includes all of the essentials you need, such as rice paddles, bamboo mats for maki (rolled) sushi, and a hangiri (A.K.A., a sushi oke) for seasoning your freshly steamed rice with sweet vinegar.
Beyond its top-tier quality and value, the inclusion of a hangiri is what really sets it apart from most of my other top picks. Unlike a standard kitchen bowl, a wooden hangiri like this one is great for sushi rice. It absorbs excess moisture during the rice seasoning and cooling process, which results in consistently excellent, fluffy rice that’s just as good as what you’ll find at your local sushi restaurant. In fact, if you choose one of the kits on this list that doesn’t include a hangiri, I’d recommend buying one separately, but more on that later.
The Specs:
- Included: 3 wooden rice paddles, 3 bamboo rolling mats, one wooden hangiri
- Material: Wood
- Care: Hand wash only
The Pros:
- Comes with hangiri
- Great price
- Durable wood construction
The Cons:
- If you are looking for a made-in-Japan sushi kit, this is not it.
What Others are Saying:
This kit has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon.
Buy the JapanBargain Sushi Making Kit with Hanigiri:
2. Best with Hangiri: BambooMN Hangiri Oke Sushi Making Serving Accessory Kit
Like my favorite kit from JapanBargain, this set is already a winner because it includes a hangiri, but you can easily switch it out for a larger one if you’re having an at-home sushi party. The BambooMN kit also comes with some extras for serving your finished product, including bamboo spoons, dishes for condiments, and split bamboo sushi plates.
The Specs:
- Includes: One wooden hangiri, two bamboo sushi rolling mats, two rice paddles and two spoons, four round dishes and four square dishes, four split sushi plates
- Material: Bamboo
- Care: Hand wash only
The Pros:
- Can select the size of hangiri to meet your specific capacity needs
- Customers like the build quality and price
- Natural wood construction and finish
- Comes with extras for serving
The Cons:
- If you are looking for a made-in-Japan sushi kit, this is not it.
What Others are Saying:
It has a 4.5-star rating from more than 230 Amazon shoppers.
Buy the BambooMN Hangiri Oke Sushi Making Serving Accessory Kit:
3. Best Accessories: Delamu Sushi Making Kit, 20-in-1
If you’re searching for a sushi-making kit with all the bells and whistles, this 20-in-1 set from Delamu is a great option. It includes a traditional rolling mat for maki, rollers for temaki (handrolls), molds for nigiri, and even an unconventional sushi ‘bazooka’ that extrudes rolls. I love that there are a bunch of different types of rolls you can make with the fun tools and add-ons in this kit! But even if it seems a little overwhelming, it comes with a handy guidebook.
What it doesn’t include, unfortunately, is a hangiri for seasoning your rice. If you opt for this kit, I’d recommend adding a hangiri like this one.
The Specs:
- Includes: 4 different sushi-making tools (maki mats, nigiri molds, temaki rollers, bazookas), rice paddle and spreader, sushi knife, serving accessories
- Material: Bamboo and plastic
- Care: Some parts are dishwasher-safe
The Pros:
- Guide booklet included
- 100% BPA-free plastic parts
- Good value
- Comes with sushi-making tools and serving accessories
The Cons:
- May not want all of the accessories it comes with
- A few reviewers raised concerns about how durable the tools are
What Others are Saying:
It has a 4.7-star rating from more than 5,000 Amazon shoppers. Reviewed has it on its list of sushi-making kits, and The Spruce Eats named it best deluxe.
Buy the Delamu Sushi Making Kit, 20-in-1:
4. Best Basic Kit: Delamu Sushi Making Kit
If you’re looking for a more simplistic sushi-making kit, this 9-piece set from Delamu definitely fits the bill. With two maki rolling mats, a rice paddle and spreader, an e-book guide, and a set of chopsticks, this is a great option for those beginning their homemade sushi journey. Despite its lower price point, it doesn’t sacrifice functionality or appearance, thanks to the premium bamboo design.
The Specs:
- Includes: 2 rolling mats, a rice spreader and paddle, 5 pairs of chopsticks
- Material: Bamboo
- Care: Hand wash only
The Pros:
- Easy for sushi beginners and first-timers
- Helpful e-book guide
- All bamboo construction
- Simplicity keeps your kitchen uncluttered
The Cons:
- Doesn’t include hangiri
What Others are Saying:
This sushi-making kit has nearly 14,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.7-star rating.
Buy the Delamu Sushi Making Kit:
5. Best With Ingredients: Global Grub DIY Sushi Making Kit
I’ve talked a lot about the tools required to make sushi, but what about the ingredients? This kit from Global Grub is a unique option because it includes both tools and shelf-stable dry ingredients, like rice vinegar powder and sesame seeds. In other words, short of getting sushi delivered, this kit is the ultimate convenience pick. There are enough ingredients to make 48 pieces of sushi or 8 handrolls, so it’s not the most reusable option. However, the mat can be reused, and I recommend snagging this set if you’re planning a fun at-home sushi night with friends or a partner.
The Specs:
- Includes: Sushi rolling mat, sushi-making guide, shelf-stable ingredients like sushi rice, nori, rice vinegar powder, sesame seeds, and wasabi powder
- Material: Bamboo
- Care: Hand wash only
The Pros:
- Very convenient
- Good for a one-off event like a date night
- Shelf stable ingredients
The Cons:
- You’ll still need to buy perishable ingredients separately
What Others are Saying:
The Global Grub DIY Sushi Making Kit has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon. The Spruce Eats named it the best with dry ingredients.
Buy the Global Grub DIY Sushi-Making Kit:
Other Sushi-Making Kits to Consider
Alas Sushi Making Kit- Complete 20 Piece Sushi Making Kit
This kit from Alas is great for making at-home sushi and has nifty gadgets to help along the way. In terms of content, it’s comparable to the Delamu 20-in-1 kit I included above. This pick isn’t too much cheaper, though, and it doesn’t come with as many fun features. The Alas 20 in 1 Sushi Making Kit is available at Amazon for $22.99.
Soeos Beginner Sushi Making Kit
This kit is nearly identical to the basic sushi-making kit from Delamu, and is a great choice for anyone who wants to make sushi at home without spending too much money or cluttering their kitchen. However, the Delamu kit just edged this one out because of its lower price point and better Amazon reviews. The Soeos Beginner Sushi Making Kit is available at Amazon for $10.58.
SushiQuik Sushi Making Kit
This beginner-friendly set from SushiQuick features convenient add-ons for making tasty, good-looking sushi. However, reviews indicate that the SushiQuick method, which comes with a unique training frame and a roll cutter, does have a bit of a learning curve, and its all-plastic construction may be less than sturdy. I’d personally recommend sticking with more conventional sushi-making equipment. The SushiQuik Sushi Making Kit is available at Amazon for $19.95.
URED Professional Super Space Sushi Bazooka
While this isn’t strictly a sushi-making kit, this unique bazooka could be a budget alternative to a full kit. However, I would rather use a basic kit with traditional tools as they will last longer and do a better job at making consistently great sushi, once you take the time to master their use. The URED Professional Super Space Sushi Bazooka is available at Amazon for $7.99.
Why You Can Trust Me
Over the years, I’ve made plenty of sushi and eaten even more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from making sushi and watching sushi masters at work, it’s that the quality of your tools can make a major difference in the finished product. That’s why I’ve spent hours vetting the best sushi-making kits on this list, focusing on the tools I’ve found most helpful in my own kitchen. I also considered other important factors, like price, customer ratings and reviews, material, and design.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Sushi-Making Kit
What to Consider Before Buying a Sushi-Making Kit
When purchasing a sushi kit, there are a few things you should consider:
Capacity: Firstly, think about how many people you’ll be making sushi for. This will determine the size of hangiri (sushi oke) you will need. As a rule of thumb, I try not to fill my sushi oke more than ¼ of the way up its side with freshly steamed rice. This provides plenty of room to season and fluff the rice, then let it cool fully. I find that the 10-inch diameter sushi oke that came with my JapanBargain kit can comfortably make enough rice for 2-3 people. If you’re hosting more people than that, I’d recommend a bigger sushi oke.
Materials: Bamboo is the most traditional material for mats and paddles, while a traditional sushi oke (hangiri) is made from hinoki cypress. In general, stick to these materials whenever possible.
Authenticity: In my experience, handmade sushi tools using traditional methods in Japan tend to last the longest (not to mention look the best). However, they come with a price tag to match that quality. Not every kit on my list is made in Japan, but if you’re not planning on using it too often or don’t want to spend too much money, those are good options, too.
How Do You Use a Sushi-Making Kit?
So your new sushi-making kit has arrived – now what? Most of the kits listed come with instruction booklets, so I’d recommend starting there. Your specific steps will vary widely depending on what type of sushi you’re making. (And, if you’re not sure what to make, you can always check out my list of the Best Sushi Recipes to Make at Home!)
In any case, you’ll need to start by making a fresh batch of sushi rice, which is essentially steamed rice seasoned with vinegar, salt, and sugar. From there, you’ll place an even layer of sushi rice on your sheet of nori, followed by your fillings. Then, use the bamboo mat to gently roll it. Once rolled, you can slice your sushi and enjoy!
How Do You Roll Sushi Without a Mat?
While not all sushi is rolled (you can learn about the many sushi varieties in my Ultimate Sushi Guide), the making of rolled sushi ( maki) requires a rolling mat. While a traditional bamboo sushi rolling mat is ideal, it is possible to improvise if you don’t have one.
For example, you can use a thick, hard-textured kitchen towel or even a placemat in place of a bamboo mat. All you need to do is fold it into the rough size of a typical bamboo sushi rolling mat, generally about 9.5 inches by 9.5 inches, and proceed as you would with a proper bamboo mat. It may not be perfect, but it should do in a pinch!
What is the Sushi Rolling Mat Called?
The bamboo sushi rolling mat is known as makisu (巻き簾) in Japanese. Other than sushi, it can also be used to make egg omelets like Tamagoyaki and Datemaki.
How Do You Make Sushi Rice?
Sushi is all about the rice. To make proper sushi, you’ll need Japanese-style short-grain rice. Rinse your rice, then combine it with a 1:1 ratio of water and cook it in your rice cooker or over your stovetop.
For a more detailed set of instructions, including ingredient ratios, you can learn everything you need to know in my “How to Make Sushi Rice” guide.
The Best Sushi Recipes
Now that you’ve chosen the best sushi-making kit for your kitchen, here are some of my favorite sushi recipes to try out.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
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