The difference between sushi and sashimi - and other confusions

Nigiri sushi is a hand-formed combination of vinegared rice overlayed with a slice of raw fish, glazed eel, pickled or fresh vegetables, or strip of omelette.

Maki sushi is nigiri sushi rolled inside a wrap of nori - a dried and compressed sheet of seaweed.

Sashimi is sliced raw fish on its own.

Which tuna is which?

Maguro is Japanese for the common, dark coral red tuna. Chu-toro is richer in fattiness and lighter in color. Toro is the most fatty tuna, pale pink and often marbled or striped with fat. It is the most highly-prized and expensive - the fishy difference, in both texture and price, as you'll find between Parma ham and Iberico ham.

What's that day-glo orange stuff?

Ikura is the 'caviar' topping of the tiny orange beads of a salmon roe that crunch delectably between the teeth. 

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