What Is A New York Sushi Roll And What Goes Into One?

While sushi is beloved across the world, the prospect of eating raw fish can be daunting for the uninitiated. In this case, a New York sushi roll is the perfect introduction to the cuisine, as the main ingredient is cooked shrimp, as opposed to the raw fish found in other preparations. Other components of New York rolls include cucumber, avocado, dried seaweed, and sushi rice, which is typically a short-grain rice derived from Japan and cooked with rice vinegar.

While New York rolls are quite flavorful on their own, thanks to the cooked shrimp, they're often served with a spicy mayonnaise concoction for a bit of added heat. Otherwise, they can be enjoyed with soy sauce for dipping (a common sushi accompaniment). New York rolls are quite ubiquitous, which means you can find them in most sushi establishments. Thanks to the simplicity of the recipe, they're also easy to make at home.

Making sushi can be intimidating, but New York rolls are a great starting point if you want to be your own personal sushi chef. Begin by boiling the shrimp, which you should skewer to ensure they remain straight while cooking. (When the time comes to create the roll, it will be much easier if the shrimp aren't curled up.) Add your preferred seasonings to the water and transfer the cooked shrimp to a bowl containing ice water after cooking to ensure a nice, toothsome texture.

After chopping the cucumber and avocado, roll out a bamboo sushi mat to facilitate easier rolling. Next, place a half-sheet of dried seaweed on the mat and spoon sushi rice over it, then turn it over so the seaweed side faces up. Add cooked shrimp to the center of the dried seaweed and flank it with avocado and cucumber on either side. 

Carefully roll the mat with the ingredients on top of it so that you end up with a tube shape. Cut the roll into several pieces and serve alongside your desired sauces.

Using chopsticks for the first time can be a bit challenging, but keep in mind that it's perfectly fine to eat sushi with your hands. What's most important is that you eat the roll as soon as it's served to ensure you fully enjoy the delectable flavors and textures of the preparation. Wasabi adds a bit of kick to sushi, but it shouldn't be placed directly onto the roll. Instead, add it to your dish of soy sauce and dunk the roll into it. You should also have a separate soy sauce dish if you're enjoying multiple preparations during one meal.

Ginger is a common accompaniment to sushi, but it's not meant to be incorporated with the roll. Save it to eat between preparations, as fresh ginger can cleanse the taste buds to prepare them for the next tasty dish. However, you should only eat a small amount of ginger, as its potent flavor could overwhelm the delicate flavors of different types of sushi. 

These tips are ideal when eating a New York sushi roll for the first time, whether you're dining at a restaurant or enjoying a meal at home.