
We had some yellowtail sashimi the other day so I made Yellowtail Sushi Roll as appetizer.
Unlike other kinds of sushi roll, this thin roll (we call it Hosomaki 細巻き) is really easy to make. Plus, these are not inside-out rolls (裏巻き) which require a bit more practice, so it’s perfect if you are trying to make sushi for the first time.
Yellowtail Sushi Roll
With a high fat content and buttery tender texture, sushi grade yellowtail (or Hamachi) is greatly enjoyed in Japan in sashimi or in sushi roll. To make sushi roll, you just need to chop up the fish into fine pieces before rolling them up with rice in nori sheets. If you’re not a fan of yellowtail (hamachi), you can easily substitute with tuna or salmon.
I’ve included a tutorial video below on how make delicious Sushi Rolls (Hosomaki) at home. For step-by-step instructions, you can head over to this post for more tips and techniques.

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Yellowtail Roll
Ingredients
- 1½ cups sushi rice (cooked and seasoned) (divided; see my post on how to make sushi rice)
- 3.3 oz sashimi-grade yellowtail (chopped and divided)
- 1 sheet nori (dried laver seaweed) (cut in half crosswise)
- 3 Tbsp green onions/scallions (chopped and divided)
For the Tezu (vinegared finger-dipping water)
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tsp rice vinegar (unseasoned)
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients. If you haven‘t made 1½ cups sushi rice (cooked and seasoned) yet, please see the step-by-step photos and instructions in my blog post How to Make Sushi Rice.
- Cut 3.3 oz sashimi-grade yellowtail into ¼-inch (6-mm) cubes, then chop the cubes into smaller pieces. Finely chop 3 Tbsp green onions/scallions.
- Cut your 1 sheet nori (dried laver seaweed) in half crosswise. Lay ½ sheet nori, shiny side down, on the plastic-covered bamboo mat. Wet your fingers in the tezu vinegared dipping water made with ¼ cup water and 2 tsp rice vinegar (unseasoned). Then, spread ¾ cup (110 g) of the rice evenly onto the nori sheet.
- Divide the chopped yellowtail and spread one portion on the sushi rice across the bottom end of the nori sheet. Divide the chopped green onions and spread one portion alongside the yellowtail.
- Check that the bottom edges of the nori sheet and bamboo mat are aligned. Next, lift up the bottom edge of the mat and nori with your thumbs while holding the fillings in place with your fingers. Then, start rolling it into a tight cylinder. Lift the edge of the bamboo mat and continue to roll it forward while keeping gentle pressure on the mat.
- With a very sharp knife, cut the roll in half crosswise and then cut each half into 3–4 sushi roll pieces. Clean the knife with a damp cloth every few slices. Serve the sushi with pickled red ginger (beni shoga or kizami beni shoga), wasabi, and soy sauce on the side.
To Store
- It‘s best to enjoy the sushi rolls on the same day you make them. Rice gets hard and dry in the refrigerator. Therefore, if you really want to keep sushi rolls in the refrigerator, my recommendation is to cover them with plastic and then with a thick kitchen towel, so the rice will stay cool and safe, but not become cold.
Nutrition
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