Maki VS Temaki | What is the Difference Between Maki and Temaki?

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maki vs temaki

Maki and temaki both are two popular kinds of typical sushi. Sushi is a traditional Japanese food that comprises rice, seafood mostly tuna, salmon, and squid, or sometimes vegetables. There are numerous different kinds of sushi, among which maki and temaki are most popular and common. However, what is the difference between maki and temaki? Or let’s see some maki vs temaki facts.

Maki roll and hand roll are other common names of maki and temaki, respectively. Although, these are kinds of sushi but are quite different from each other.

For instance, they vary in appearance, serving style, size, rolling, and way of eating. So, let’s discuss these differences in detail.

What Is the Difference Between Maki and Temaki?

Although maki and temaki are two typical forms of sushi, but they differ from each other in many aspects. For instance, maki roll is more common and popular in Japanese restaurants while hand roll is casual in-home kitchens.

The primary ingredients of maki roll are nori, vinegared rice or sushi meshi, and sea food or vegetables as toppings. On the other hand, sushi rice, nori, sea food mostly salmon or tuna, and pieces of vegetables or fruits are the main ingredients of temaki.

In addition, the method of preparation of both these sushi types is also different. Maki roll is usually made on the mat of bamboo sticks, whereas hand roll is usually made by hand.

Besides these differences, maki and temaki differ from each other in many other ways. So, let’s make a comparison between maki sushi and hand roll or maki vs temaki.

Maki Vs Temaki

Maki and temaki have different ingredient nature, size, shape, preparation and eating methods. So, let’s discuss them one by one in detail.

Appearance

  • Cylindrical Vs Conical

The most obvious and prominent difference that one can notice at a glance is the final look. As maki roll looks more like savory Swiss role while temaki looks like a flat ice cream cone to showcase the filling on the top.

Maki or sushi roll is long cylindrical in appearance that is usually cut into 6 to 8 bite-size pieces. The preparation of maki sushi requires more skill to layer every ingredient tight and finally getting a clean clear cut.

However, temaki or hand roll has a conical shape. As compared to maki sushi, it’s quite easier to prepare hand roll by just spreading rice on one side with a filling of your choice, and then roll it by hand.

Ingredients

  • Seafood Vs Fruits Or Vegetables

Vinegared rice is a prime ingredient of both sushi kinds. Although, they differ from each other on the basis of other optional ingredients.

Traditionally, maki contains seafood, mostly fish, and often fresh vegetables with rice. The most common filling ingredients are eel, tuna, fried eggs, and shrimp. In addition, several regional versions of maki sushi also contain pickled vegetables like radish, cucumber, and carrots.

On the other hand, temaki contains raw fish, sometimes vegetables and fruits with rice. Raw fish usually yellow tail, uni, and scallops go great in making hand roll. In fruits, avocado, plum, and pine apple strips are the great option to go with.

However, you can also make variations in the ingredient profile of temaki. Just break the rules and follow your taste choices to explore new delicious flavors.

How To Make

  • Bamboo Mat Made Vs Hand Made

Sushi roll and hand roll also differ in their making method. Maki is made by wrapping all the ingredients in nori by using a bamboo mat. First of all, nori is placed on the bamboo mat and then filled with rice and other fillings.

After that, nori is tightly rolled in a cylindrical shape to hold maki ingredients. Maki is traditionally served with soy sauce after cutting into bite-size pieces.

In contrast, temaki is made by wrapping all the ingredients in a conical shape by hand. First of all, cut down the nori in half and place rice on one side. Put filling on rice and sea food on the top, and then fold the nori sheet to give a conical shape. And, that’s it, delicious hand roll is ready to enjoy.

Availability

  • Common Vs Rare

Maki sushi is quite common in contrast to temaki. As, you can easily order it from restaurants, supermarkets, and stores. It is a typical sushi type that you see everywhere.

However, temaki is a version of sushi that people typically prepare in their homes. And, it is not so common among people as it is less showy as compared to maki roll.

Maki Vs Temaki (Other Differences)

There are also some other differences between maki and temaki that are worth noticing, including serving, types, and size. So, let’s see.

Maki Is for More Than One Person, While Temaki Is for One Person

A single serving of maki sushi is good when you want to share it with your friends or family. As maki roll is meant to be cut into small round pieces. And thus, you can easily share the small pieces of sushi with others.

However, the temaki roll goes well when you order it for yourself. Because its single serving could be a little difficult to share with others.

Maki Is Small in Size, While Temaki Is Large

Sushi roll is small in size than hand roll because the serving of sushi roll comprises 6 to 8 small pieces. As it is small, so people eat maki roll by using chopsticks.

On the other hand, temaki is large in size and serve as a whole. Its flat conical shape is much larger than maki sushi, and people eat it usually by hand instead of chopsticks.

Maki Has Different Types, While Temaki Is Single Type Sushi

Maki roll has several other types, including Uramaki, Hosomaki, Futomaki, and Chumaki. Mostly, maki roll is divided into types according to their different size. However sometimes, it also has various types varying in shapes and ingredients.

While, temaki or hand roll is a single type and has no other kinds like maki. However, you can still change its ingredients according to your taste preferences.

Maki Is Skillfully Made, While Temaki Is Kid-Friendly

As it is clear now that maki requires more skill and experience to make perfect sushi pieces. Moreover, it requires perfect quantity of rice and filling to evenly roll and cut into pieces. So, it is not so common in households.

Whereas, temaki is kid-friendly. It is pretty much easier to prepare your own temaki roll by placing rice and filling. So, if you are a beginner, start with the hand roll to get experience.

Maki Is Eaten by Chopsticks, While Temaki Is Eaten with Hand

Maki is usually eaten using chopsticks as it is the easiest and the simplest method. Therefore, many Japanese prefer this method to enjoy their favorite sushi rolls. However, some people also eat maki roll by hand after dipping into soy sauce.

Whereas, temaki is always eaten by hands. Simply dip the hand roll in savory sauce and take a big bite and enjoy. Here, it is advisable that eat your hand roll immediately after the preparation because the crunchiness of nori will tend to be soggy within minutes.

So, here I describe all the differences between maki and temaki or maki vs temaki facts. Although these are quite different from each other, they also have some things in common.

For instance, both are kinds of popular sushi dish. Both have rice in them as a prime ingredient. In addition, both are wrapped in seaweed usually known as nori. Both are the good source of nutrients.

Moreover, maki and hand roll are best as a meal or an appetizer. Both are the best choice for guests because they can choose their favorite filling for preparing rolls.

Read also: Does Cheesecake Have Cheese in it?

Other Famous Types of Maki Roll

There are a lot more different types of maki sushi depending upon the size, filling, and shape. But the most popular maki sushi kinds are hosomaki, futomaki, nakamaki, gunkan maki, and uramaki. So, let’s know more about them.

Hosomaki

Hosomaki
Hosomaki

Hosomaki is literally a thin sushi roll made using one ingredient to maintain its thin shape and texture. So, the main ingredients of hosomaki are sushi rice, nori, and a filling ingredient.

There is a wide variety of hosomaki filling that you can choose according to your taste. In fact, there are further different types of hosomaki depending upon their filling.

For instance, Kappa-maki contains cucumber, Tekka-maki contains sushi grade fish tuna, and Shinko-maki contains Oshinko or pickled daikon as a filling.

In addition, Kanpyo-maki use dry gourd strips and Natto-maki use fermented soy beans as a filling. All these filling ingredients create a lovely colorful pop at the centre of cute little rolls, and goes great as a delicious appetizer.

Futomaki

Futomaki
Futomaki

In contrast to hosomaki, futomaki is a thick large sushi roll containing more than one filling ingredients. Usually, seafood such as crab, eel, and shrimp go great in futomaki with different vegetables.

Futomaki is literally all about eye-catching colors and delicious flavors. So, colorful vegetables like carrot, cucumber, and spinach are the best options to start with.

Ehomaki is a popular form of futomaki, and Japanese believe that eating ehomaki on the last day of winter brings good luck and happiness.

Nakamaki

Nakamaki is a maki sushi type containing two to three filling ingredients. It is a medium-size sushi roll folded within a nori sheet with sushi rice.

Gunkan Maki

Gunkan Maki
Gunkan Maki

Gunkan maki is a maki sushi roll containing ingredients such as salmon roe and sea urchin. In contrast to other maki sushi rolls, gunkan maki contains a thick and tall nori sheet within sushi rice and fillings are packed.

Uramaki

Uramaki
Uramaki

Uramaki is a popular maki sushi roll in the United States, and is more attractive and eye-popping version of sushi. In uramaki, rice is lying on the outside while nori sheet wrapped inside. Seafood such as eel, or salmon roe are popular as filling of uramaki.

Get Crazy About the Filling of Maki and Temaki

There isn’t any rule to make maki sushi and temaki or hand roll with specific filling ingredients. So, get creative and crazy as much as you like with sushi rolls filling. Here, I have a list of different delicious filling ideas that you can try to enjoy sushi.

You can use seafood such as prawn, shrimp, and mushroom to prepare either maki or temaki roll. Moreover, fish like tuna, salmon roe, and eel also go great. And, use colorful vegetables as topping of sushi rolls to maki it more stunning and mouth-watering.

For instance, thin slices of cucumber, carrot, spinach, or ginger are the best choice to go with. And in fruit profile, you can use juicy and thin slices of plums, pineapple, or avocado.

Besides this, there is a variety of other tasty combinations or options to prepare maki or temaki roll. Many restaurants also offer you to choose sushi filling of your own taste choice. So, try new combinations and get crazy about the topping or filling of sushi rolls.

Final Thought

I hope, this article will help you a lot in understanding all the differences between sushi roll and hand roll or maki vs temaki. Although maki and temaki are sushi types, but still differ from each other in many aspects. For example, they have different size, shape, serving, eating, and preparation method. So, don’t consider them similar as many people do.