Sushi for Dummies Reviews

• The best sushi making instructions

  
  By A5KYJZ7DMKS3O on 2005-06-10
  After getting tired of spending $8 for two pieces of sushi at the local sushi bar, I decided to learn to make sushi at home.
  
  I was not interested in spending the next 20 years learning to become a master sushi chef (or "itamae" in Japanese). I just wanted to have some good sushi without paying a fortune for what was basically nothing more than a couple tablespoons of rice and salmon roe.
  
  I ordered and read several sushi books, including Sushi for Dummies. As a basic primer for learning how make sushi, this book can't be beat. Sushi is all about the rice, and hands down, the author has the clearest and easiest description of how to accomplish this task. It is like she is right there in your kitchen telling you exactly how to cook the rice (including soaking it beforehand, something other books neglected to mention) and what proportion of vinegar/sake to use.
  
  The other instructions are equally superb. How to roll both traditional nori covered, and "inside out" sushi, and how to form cone sushi are all easy to understand and follow along.
  
  Because I just wanted to learn how to make sushi, I skipped all the intro and history stuff. However, this information is included in case anyone else is interested.
  
  Once you learn how make and roll sushi, it's time to look at some recipes. Admittedly, I have not yet tried any of the sushi recipes in this book, but intend to do so in the future. In the meantime, I did try some of the exotic recipes in D.K.'s Sansei Sushi from Hawaii, a book which I highly recommend.
  
  
  

• Everything about sushi, from A to Z!

  
  By AI6A8MJX4JU04 on 2004-04-01
  Wow. I just finished reading Sushi For Dummies, and was amazed at just how much I learned. The authors have created what must be THE most complete and detailed guide to sushi available anywhere at any price -- and they have done so in a highly readable way, with just the right amount of humor. If you've ever been curious about sushi -- all the different ingredients and styles of sushi, how to make proper sushi rice (an important step in the process, which merits an entire chapter in this book), safe handling techniques, cutting and storing, history and traditions, proper sushi bar etiquette, and much, much more, then you will do no better than buying this book. Five stars!
  
  

• Simply the best

  
  By on 2004-05-16
  As a sushi fan and amateur chef, I've struggled with this simple but challenging fare for years. This is the handbook I've always wanted. Concise, user friendly, smart and entertaining - here is the book that we've been waiting for.
  I'm giving copies to friends and keeping mine right by my chopping block and rice cooker.
  
  

• Look out! Here comes the Sushi expert...

  
  By on 2004-04-14
  After purchasing the book and reading a few of the recipes, I decided to give some of them a try for dinner. The instructions were so easy that I pulled off a sushi dinner for my family that they thought I had practiced making for days. I have taken a sushi making course before, but having the book with me while making dinner proved to be a much needed aid and I am glad I made the small investment. I have also been enjoying the other areas of the book that talk about Sushi Bar manners/etiquette, terms and definitions, and sushi party planning. Most cookbooks I have purchased are just used for recipies and not for reading or cultural education. This dummies book is actually interesting to read from cover to cover and gives the reader more depth than other cookbooks.
  
  

• Sushi demystified

  
  By on 2004-04-09
  This book actually gives you enough information to go to a sushi bar and NOT be a barbarian. It's easy to read and understand, and well organized. If you want to go the extra mile and prepare your own sushi, the directions are clear and easy to follow, with tons of side information (like how to know if the fish is REALLY fresh) and fun ideas. I found the part on correctly making the vinegared rice especially helpful, and the diagrams on how to cut things are great! There is also a section on manners which I found fascinating. This book is interesting as well as useful!
  
  
• I don't feel so dumb any more!
  By on 2004-04-28
  This book is terrific. Sushi is all about technique and the authors have managed to convey those techniques clearly and simply. It demystifies the process and explains all those Japanese terms that I can never remember. I only wish it were bigger (next edition, Wiley???)
  
  
• No Longer A Dummy!
  By on 2004-04-10
  I have been a sushi lover for some time now and have just recently realized that I have been a dummy when it came to how vast and versatile sushi really is. (I never thought about having fruit, cheese, or guacamole as ingredients). This book has so many great recipes, I can't try them fast enough. And who would have thought that it is this easy? Beyond the recipes I love all the history and information on Japanese culture. This book was truely enjoyable to read and will be of permanent use in my kitchen!
  
  
• I thought I'd be making sushi at home
  By AP7CLSORSS5T9 on 2004-09-29
  After years of my husband asking me to learn how to make sushi at home, I discovered Sushi For Dummies. Was I surprised when my husband started reading the book. Just as I thought he was going to give me a list of what recipes he favored for me making, he said, "Let's go to a sushi bar, I just read all about it and know what to do.". So hats off and thanks to these authors for giving me a night out. But I can't wait to make some of the fabulous sounding recipes at home, like Crystallized Ginger Creme Brulee, Sake Brownie Souffles, and Grilled Yellowtail Sushi Tamales with Spicy Mango Salsa.
  
  
• Like having a teacher right with you
  By A3HJVAQKELOM8F on 2006-11-09
  I loved this book. I have bought other sushi books that SAY they can teach you sushi, but end up just being picture books of one style. This book has all of the favourites from the restaurants and an outstanding set of directions for how to CUT the sashimi! This is the only book you will ever need.
  
  
• Outstanding Book!
  By A2MDD1D5AUN6BB on 2006-08-30
  This is a great book on how to make sushi. I haven't been able to make every recipe exactly as described since it is tough to find many of the ingredients where I live, but the food has still come out great and the book is very helpful. I strongly recommend it if you have never tried making sushi before.
  
  
• "For Dummies" marches on!
  By A2WAVA5INPCNG4 on 2007-05-30
  This is the first "For Dummies" book I've seen with pictures. It's a nice try, but I wouldn't make this my only sushi cookbook. The explanations are pretty good and well in keeping with the "for dummies" tradition. I think sometimes they waffle a little bit on principles (saying one thing, but then admitting that they do it another way).
  
  After reading reviews for this rather unlikely book and for another book with reputedly superb photography, I elected to purchase both and I wasn't disappointed: the other book with the amazing illustrations wasn't expensive and the two really complement each other: The Complete Book Of Sushi! The price is right: buy both.
  
  
• Review of Mineko
  By A25VTUX31UFZRQ on 2005-12-15
  I have to say I have not read this book, but I took a class from Mineko Moreno last night and she is delightful! The dishes she made were delicious. Who ever thought of handrolls with roastbeef and Daikon!! Not me, but I plan to serve it soon.
  
  
• Well-written and informative
  By A362AGCVT0YZ2F on 2007-04-03
  I used this book to make sushi over the weekend and found it to be very instructive and simple to use (as well as humorous and pleasant to read). I followed the directions for making the rice on the stove top and it turned out perfect! The detailed maki-rolling instructions/diagrams were easy to follow, and my rolls ended up looking (and tasting) great! My friends were all impressed. I also learned a ton about the cultural aspects of sushi that I didn't know before, and I considered myself fairly knowledgable.
  
  The only reason I give four stars instead of five is that I didn't feel there were enough recipes for different types of rolls, or nearly enough pictures. But the focus of this book is on technique and the process of making sushi (not necessarily recipes) and for that it was invaluable. I plan to purchase another book to use solely for recipes.
  
  Side Note: The only other special equipment I purchased was the Joyce Chen Sushi Mat and Rice Paddle Set. You can make great sushi using the techniques in this book without buying a lot of extra kitchen gadgets. I turned my rice out onto a large plastic bowl and it worked great.
  
  
• Great even for non-dummies!
  By A2X61KKXXR6WNP on 2007-12-19
  Don't let the title fool you -- this is the best book I've seen for explaining how to make sushi rolls for the first time. I had never done one before, or even seen it done, and this book had me making rolls in just a few minutes. No, they weren't all perfect, but practice helps too!
  
  
• Excellent!
  By A2Z009GPXDCAK3 on 2008-01-03
  I was able to successfully make basic sushi rolls at home after only reading a few chapters of this book. Excellent for beginners!
  
  
• Very informative
  By AB595UZ5GFT2K on 2007-01-16
  Great book for the sushi novice. I gave this to my husband as a gift...
  he uses it as a sushi bible! Everything is layed out well, and includes very helpful tips.
  
  
• Excellent for the novice
  By AHFT1TU6FEFQ8 on 2007-02-14
  Perfect for the novice who loves sushi but is tired of going out for it. Great tips on what you need; making perfect rice, how to cut ingredients, products you need to do it like the pros. Good recipes, too, altho I wish there were more of them. Well worth the investment if you are interested in making sushi at home.
  
  
• Blessing from the gods
  By A1TJT6A5TP3MBY on 2007-05-12
  I had no idea how to prepare sushi before I got this book but i really wanted to learn how becuase i love the stuff and its to expensive at sushi bars. I was very impressed with this book. Its very simple to understand (hence the title!) and has a great layout with lots of superb recipes, enjoy!
  
  
• Perfect book for sushi beginners.
  By A2R9CORUNO0GSI on 2007-05-18
  I read this book from cover to cover twice. It's well laid out and covers most of the aspects of sushi making. It was a very easy read.
  
  I wish it had more pictures. Had lots of illustrations though.
  
  
  
  
• Sushi for Dummies
  By A25NNOM4UZM5RQ on 2007-09-22
  Excellent detailed book. Best part was the details on making the best rice you can as that is the main ingrediant.
  
  

• Joyce Chen Sushi Kit
• Sushi Deluxe Book & Kit
• The Complete Book of Sushi
• Sushi: Taste and Techniques
• The Best 50 Sushi Rolls (Best 50)