Norimaki facts for kids
Norimaki (海苔巻) means "seaweed roll" in Japanese. It's a name for many different Japanese foods that are wrapped in nori, which is a type of seaweed. The most famous kind of norimaki is probably makizushi, also known as rolled sushi.
Besides makizushi, other foods like onigiri (rice balls), senbei (rice crackers), and even chikuwa (fish cakes) can be called norimaki if they are wrapped in seaweed.
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What is Norimaki?
Norimaki describes any food that has a nori seaweed wrapper. This makes the food easy to hold and adds a unique salty, umami flavor.
Makizushi: Rolled Sushi
Makizushi (巻き寿司, meaning "rolled sushi") is a very popular type of norimaki. It was first written about in a Japanese cookbook called "Ryori SanKaigo" in the 1750s. Later, in 1787, it was mentioned on menus in sushi restaurants in Edo (which is now Tokyo). People liked it because it was easy to eat without getting their hands messy!
In the past, makizushi wasn't always wrapped in seaweed. Sometimes, it was rolled in thin cooked eggs, or even in different types of seaweed like wakame, or bamboo bark. Today, a classic type of makizushi in Tokyo is kampyo-maki (干瓢巻), which is made with dried gourd.
A common combination you might see is inarizushi (sushi rice in a fried tofu pouch) and makizushi served together. This combo is often found in bento boxes and is called sukeroku (助六). This name is a fun play on words from a famous Kabuki play.
Norimaki-Onigiri: Seaweed-Wrapped Rice Balls
Onigiri (おにぎり) are Japanese rice balls, and when they are wrapped in nori seaweed, they are often called Norimaki-onigiri (海苔巻きおにぎり). The seaweed makes them easy to hold and adds a tasty crunch.
Norisenbei: Seaweed Rice Crackers
Senbei (煎餅) are Japanese rice crackers. When a senbei is wrapped in nori seaweed, it's usually called Norisenbei (海苔煎餅). You might also hear its full name, Norimaki-senbei (海苔巻煎餅).
Smaller versions of senbei are called arare. If these tiny crackers are wrapped in seaweed, they become Norimaki-arare (海苔巻あられ). There's also a stick-shaped version called Shinagawa-maki (品川巻).
Other Norimaki Foods
Sometimes, other foods are wrapped in nori seaweed, especially for home cooking or bento lunches.
- Chikuwa (竹輪): These are fish cakes shaped like bamboo rings. People sometimes try to wrap nori around them to add flavor. Since chikuwa isn't sticky, it can be tricky to make the seaweed stay. Sometimes, they are deep-fried like Tempura to hold the nori in place.
- Mochi (餅): This is a chewy rice cake. A popular way to eat mochi is isobeyaki (磯辺焼き). The mochi is baked, dipped in shōyu, and then wrapped in nori. This dish is called Isobeyaki-mochi (磯辺焼き餅).
- Chicken Nuggets: Some convenience stores in Japan, like 7-Eleven Japan, sell frozen Norimaki-chicken (海苔巻きチキン). These are chicken nuggets that come wrapped in seaweed.
