What is the Difference Between Sushi and Maki?

Sushi and maki are both popular Japanese dishes, but they have distinct differences. The primary difference between the two is their shape and the ingredients used in their preparation. Here are the main differences between sushi and maki:

• Shape: Sushi comes in various shapes, while maki is cylindrical in shape. Sushi is made with vinegared rice, which can be combined with various ingredients like fish, shellfish, vegetables, and tofu. On the other hand, maki is a rolled form of sushi that wraps a sheet of seaweed called nori around vinegared rice and other ingredients like vegetables and raw fish.
• Ingredients: Maki contains nori, vegetables, and fish, while sushi uses many ingredients, including raw or cooked fish, shellfish, vegetables, and tofu.
• Preparation: Maki sushi is made by firmly rolling a sheet of seaweed with vinegared rice and fillings, creating thin tubes. These tubes are then sliced into bite-sized pieces.

There are different types of maki rolls, such as hosomaki, kappa maki, tekka maki, and futomaki. On the other hand, sushi can come in several forms, including nigiri, chirashi, and inari.

Comparative Table: Sushi vs Maki

The main difference between sushi and maki is the shape. Sushi is a broad term referring to a variety of dishes that combine vinegared rice and other ingredients, while maki is a cylindrical version of sushi with ingredients wrapped in seaweed. Here is a table comparing the differences between sushi and maki:

There are four main types of maki:

1. Futomaki: Large rolls with various ingredients.
2. Hosomaki: Small rolls with a single ingredient.
3. Uramaki: Reverse rolls with the rice on the outside and the seaweed on the inside.
4. Temaki: Hand-rolled cones made without a bamboo mat and eaten without being cut.

While sushi can come in various shapes and types, maki is specifically the cylindrical variant of sushi with ingredients wrapped in seaweed.