Sushi at home without a bamboo mat – it’s easy

A bamboo mat is essential for making sushi rolls. However, there are times when you don’t have one at hand: it’s late, all the shops are closed, the mat is damaged or lost, but you still have all the ingredients for making sushi at home and you want to cook your favorite dish right here and now. So, the question arises – what can be used as a replacement for the sushi mat?

What can replace a bamboo mat?

If you don’t have a bamboo mat (makisu) available, there are several options that can be used instead:

• food film;
• parchment;
• foil;
• bamboo napkin from separate segments.

How to wrap rolls without a special mat?

You can roll quite decent sushi without a special mat, using alternative tools at hand. Here are some proven methods for making rolls without a mat:
Using foil.

1. Before making sushi without a mat, cut several rectangular sheets the size of a real bamboo mat (the usual size is 27×27 cm).
2. Put them on top of each other to get one fairly dense sheet.
3. Wrap the roll as you would with a regular mat – with your thumbs, holding the filling with your forefingers. Then cut the roll into 6-8 pieces and serve.

Using parchment.

1. Cut a sheet of thick parchment the size of a mat.
2. Cover it with cling film or a cellophane bag.
3. Put a sheet of nori with the rough side up, spread a thick layer of rice, add the filling and wrap the roll as usual.

Using a bamboo napkin.

1. Wrap the napkin with several layers of cling film.
2. Lay out a sheet of nori, put a layer of rice on it and add the filling.
3. Wrap sushi at home without a bamboo mat, as you would normally do with a makisu.

Of course, there are situations when a makisu is not at hand and you have to look for alternative options, how to roll sushi without a mat. But if you just want to try to prepare your first roll, it is better not to use improvised means so that the result does not disappoint you – you still need to train with the right tools. For an ideal result, it is best to use a special bamboo mat, because sushi wrapped with it have its own advantages.

1. Aesthetic appearance. Due to the fact that the plates of the mat are flat on one side, the surface of the rolls always turns out to be flat and smooth. In addition, they allow you to form not only round but also square or triangular sushi, which will allow you to make a beautiful original set.
2. Density. With the help of fairly hard plates, a tight roll is obtained that will not fall apart from the first touch.
3. Proper structure. The mat facilitates quick and precise roll formation, preventing the layers of nori, rice, and filling from getting mixed up. This ensures clean and visually appealing cuts while preserving the taste of the dish.

Now you know how to make rolls at home without a mat. We are sure that with our tips you will always get nice and tasty sushi!