Japanese food recipe has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up in Brazil, I fell in love with sushi, hot rolls, and sashimi served in the many local Japanese restaurants. After moving to the United States, I found it hard to enjoy the same comforting flavors I was used to. Many rolls here were overly spicy or missing the ingredients I loved, like cream cheese or crunchy textures. That’s when I decided to learn how to make them myself.

However, when I arrived in the U.S., I noticed that many sushi options were different. Spicy mayo seemed to be in almost everything, and many rolls didn’t have the same familiar flavors I had grown up loving. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn how to make sushi, hot rolls, and sashimi from scratch.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the basics of making these delicious dishes at home, step by step. I’ll also share some tips and personal insights from my experience—and yes, I’ll link the YouTube videos that helped me the most along the way!

Why I Fell in Love with Japanese Food

Before diving into the how-to part, let me explain a little more about why Japanese food has such a special place in my heart. In Brazil, it’s very common to go out for “rodízio japonês” – an all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet. I loved the wide variety of sushi rolls, especially the fried ones, known as “hot rolls,” as well as fresh sashimi and colorful combinations with mango, cream cheese, or crispy onions. It wasn’t just food—it was comfort, tradition, and celebration.

After arriving in the U.S., my craving for that familiar taste only grew stronger. But since the local restaurants didn’t quite match what I was looking for, I began exploring recipes and tutorials to recreate my favorite dishes at home.

Tools and Ingredients for a Successful Japanese Food Recipe

Before getting started, here’s a quick list of tools and ingredients you’ll need for making sushi, hot rolls, and sashimi:

Tools:

• Bamboo sushi mat (makisu)
• Sharp knife (very important for clean cuts!)
• Plastic wrap (to cover the bamboo mat)
• Small bowl with water and vinegar (to wet your hands and prevent rice from sticking)

Sushi Making Kit BY AMAZON

Essential Ingredients:

• Sushi rice
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar and salt (for seasoning the rice)
• Nori (seaweed sheets)
• Fresh fish (like salmon or tuna – buy sushi-grade if possible)
• Cream cheese
• Cucumber, avocado, parley, and other fillings you like
• Tempura flakes or panko breadcrumbs (for hot rolls)
• Soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for serving

Preparing the Sushi Rice

The foundation of any good sushi is properly prepared rice. Sushi rice is short-grain and gets sticky when cooked, which helps it hold together when rolling.

Here’s how I prepare mine:

1. Rinse 2 cups of sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Cook it according to the instructions (I use a rice cooker).
3. While the rice cooks, mix ¼ cup of rice vinegar with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt.
4. Once the rice is ready, gently mix in the vinegar mixture and let it cool to room temperature.

This part is essential for flavor and texture. Don’t skip it!

How to Make Traditional Sushi Rolls for Any Japanese Food Recipe

Now for the fun part—rolling sushi! This is the version with seaweed on the outside and the rice and fillings on the inside.

Instructions:

1. Place a sheet of nori on your bamboo mat, shiny side down.
2. Wet your fingers with the vinegar water, then spread a thin layer of rice evenly over the nori, leaving 1 inch at the top free.
3. Add your fillings (I love using cream cheese, cucumber, and fresh salmon or kani).
4. Roll it tightly with the help of the mat.
5. Use a sharp knife (wet it slightly) to slice your roll into 6-8 pieces.

I learned this technique from this helpful YouTube video, which shows how to create several types of rolls step by step.

Making Inside-Out Rolls (Uramaki)

Inside-out rolls have rice on the outside and seaweed on the inside. These are a bit trickier but definitely worth it!

1. Cover your bamboo mat with plastic wrap.
2. Place the nori on the plastic, then spread the rice on top.
3. Flip the whole sheet over so the rice is now on the bottom.
4. Add your fillings and roll as usual.
5. Top with sesame seeds or avocado slices if desired.

These rolls are especially good for adding texture or toppings.

Creating Delicious Hot Rolls (Fried Sushi Rolls)

Hot rolls are deep-fried sushi rolls, and they’re very popular in Brazil. Here’s how to make them at home:

1. Make a traditional roll using cream cheese, cooked shrimp or salmon, and avocado.
2. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
3. Dip the whole roll in flour, then beaten egg, and then panko breadcrumbs.
4. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy (it only takes a few minutes).
5. Let it rest for a minute, then slice with a sharp knife.

This recipe was inspired by this YouTube tutorial, which is in Portuguese and perfect for Brazilians learning from home.

Hot rolls are perfect for impressing friends and family. They’re crunchy, creamy, and full of flavor!

Fresh Sashimi: The Simplest Part of a Japanese Food Recipe

Sashimi is all about the fish. It’s simple, elegant, and requires the highest quality ingredients.

Tips for slicing sashimi:

• Use sushi-grade salmon or tuna (you can find it in specialty markets).
• Freeze the fish for 24 hours to kill any potential parasites, then thaw before slicing.
• Use a very sharp knife to cut thin, even slices at an angle.

Serve it cold with soy sauce, wasabi, and a few slices of cucumber or daikon for decoration.

This YouTube guide helped me understand how to slice properly and handle fish safely at home.

Tips for a Perfect Sushi Night at Home

Here are some personal lessons I’ve learned after several sushi nights:

• Make it a family event: My kids love helping with simple rolls or decorating plates.
• Don’t stress about perfection: My first rolls looked funny, but they still tasted great.
• Use what you have: It’s okay to adapt the ingredients to local availability.
• Practice makes perfect: The more I rolled, the better my sushi got!
• Keep it chilled: Store sushi in the fridge if you’re not serving it immediately.

Adapting the Brazilian Way

One thing I’ve come to love is how Brazilian-style sushi is very adaptable. We’re not afraid to mix flavors like cream cheese, fruits (like mango), and even fried bananas. If you’re Brazilian like me—or just curious—try combining different textures and flavors. Japanese purists may disagree, but food is meant to bring joy!

Final Thoughts: Bringing Home Closer with Every Roll

Learning to make sushi, hot rolls, and sashimi was not just about food. It became a way to reconnect with my roots and bring a little piece of home to my kitchen here in the U.S. Each roll is a reminder of the dinners I used to share in Brazil, and a celebration of how we can always create something beautiful—even in a new country, even far from everything familiar.

If you’re feeling homesick or simply want to try something new, give homemade sushi a chance. You might be surprised by how rewarding it is.

And remember: you don’t have to be a professional chef. Just someone who loves food and wants to share that love.

Videos that helped me:

• Como fazer sushi simples em casa (YouTube – Sushi com salmão e cream cheese)
• Hot Roll – Sushi Frito Brasileiro (YouTube – Aprenda o passo a passo)
• Como cortar salmão para sashimi (YouTube – Corte japonês profissional)

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