Why Make Sushi at Home?

Some benefits of making sushi at home are obvious, however I didn't realize all of them when I first started. Below are some of the reasons I enjoy making sushi at home!

Save Money (and Eat More Sushi)

Saving money was the #1 reason I started making sushi at home! A typical sushi dinner out for myself and my husband costs us around $80 for a few specialty rolls, some nigiri, and drinks. Even the cheap takeout sushi near us costs around $40 to feed two people and leaves a lot to be desired. Ingredient costs for my homemade batches vary depending on the type of seafood used, but average around $25 per batch. For that price I can get incredibly high quality fish that compares to top sushi restaurants. (Fish availability will vary by your location, see the Sourcing Fish for Sushi guide to learn more). Saving money by making sushi at home made it affordable for me to enjoy sushi more often!

Most people believe that sushi is expensive because of the cost of the fish, however this is only part of the reason. Sushi is time-consuming to prepare, which really drives up the price due to high labor costs. While high quality sushi fish is more expensive than other fish, sushi still marked up significantly. Take for example salmon nigiri which are often sold for at least $6 a pair, the same could be made at home with high quality fish for around $1.50 in supplies.

Unlimited Customization

When I first started making sushi I planned on simply recreating my favorite rolls, but as I became more comfortable I realized that there's an unlimited number of things I could try! There have been so many times I've read roll descriptions on menus and wished I could tweak a few things (like subbing out a sauce I don't like, or making a roll with a different kind of fish) but most sushi places don't allow this. Everyone has different tastes and preferences, so being able to modify ideas to suite your taste is a big bonus. Coming up with new roll ideas and new ingredients to try is one of my favorite things about making sushi at home!

Full Quality Control

If you've ever questioned the quality of fish in the spicy tuna mix at your local sushi spot - you're not alone. It's no secret that restaurants use the lowest quality cuts for their mixes like spicy tuna, but by the time it reaches your plate the fish is completely unrecognizable. When making sushi at home you can see the exact quality of the fish you're using before you even decide to buy it. You're in full control of the quality, and can choose to use high quality fish for your mixes if you want to. In most cases I use the end pieces from my fillets to create my mixes, so the tuna in my spicy tuna is just as high quality as my tuna nigiri.

There have been many times out where I'll order some sushi and what comes is not as high quality as I expected, even at pricey restaurants. It's nearly impossible to see what the fish looks like before you order it most places, and by the time it's on your table it's too late to change your mind. When making sushi at home I can select my fish upfront, and only use fish that is the quality level I'm looking for.

It's Fun!

Making sushi is a fun hobby, and even more fun when enjoyed with family and friends! If you already like to cook, or enjoy projects where you work with your hands, it's likely you'll enjoy making sushi as well. To me, making sushi feels like doing a fun little craft project, and in the end you get to eat your creation!