Make Sushi Using a Sushi Press

A sushi press is a wooden or plastic box that has a removable bottom as well as a top used to make pieces of sushi that are topped with fish and various ingredients. This type of sushi is called oshi-zushi. Using a sushi press is an easy way to make impressive, hassle free sushi from your home kitchen.

About Sushi Presses

Sushi presses can be found in a multitude of dimensions. No specific dimension is needed. Each resulting pressed sushi can be cut into the bite sized pieces you desire.  A plastic or wooden sushi mold can also be used as both produce the same product. Find sushi presses in your local Asian market that sells sushi-making supplies or order one online. Prices range from $14 – $25.

Tips on Toppings

The key to successful pressed sushi is ensuring that the toppings used are dry enough to adhere to the sushi rice. In most cases, this can be easily remedied by blotting the underside of the desired topping on a paper towel to remove excess moisture before adding to the press.

Ideal toppings are ones that will lie flat and produce little moisture when coming in contact with the sushi rice. Though pretty, thinly sliced cucumber and fruits do not fare well when in direct contact with sushi rice. Each produces excess moisture and will not remain adhered. It is best to add toppings such as these as a garnish after the sushi has been made or place them inside the press first and cover completely with a more suitable topping before adding the sushi rice.

A single topping or several toppings in contrasting colors can be used to create a rainbow like effect.

Suggested toppings

Sashimi grade fish such as hamachi, tuna, snapper, thinly sliced scallops

Smoked fish such as salmon

Cooked Seafood such as shrimp, lump crabmeat

Beef tataki, thinly sliced

Avocado

Nori

How To Make Pressed Sushi

(For my pressed sushi, I used hamachi then topped with thinly sliced cucumber and mango puree.)

 1. Wet sushi press in cold water. I like to submerge mine in container of water. Pat dry, leaving press dampened.

2. With removable bottom of press intact, place a piece of plastic wrap inside the press. It should extend over the sides of the press.

3. Place sushi toppings inside the press. The toppings should cover the bottom of the press. It is okay if the toppings slightly extend up the sides of the sushi press.

4. Cover toppings with a 1/2 inch layer of prepared sushi rice.

5. Dampen the sushi press top before using it to firmly press down on the sushi rice.

6. Push sushi through the press and invert sushi press bottom.

7. With plastic wrap still intact, cut sushi into desired number of pieces using a sharp, wet knife.

8. Gently remove plastic wrap. Add garnish and serve with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce for dipping if desired.