握(にぎ)り寿 司(ずし)

にぎりずし

noun

hand-pressed sushi; nigiri sushi

1. hand-pressed sushi; nigiri sushi

A style of sushi made by pressing a small mound of vinegared rice by hand and topping it with a slice of raw fish, seafood, or other ingredients. The most iconic form of sushi, originating in Edo (old Tokyo).

握(にぎ)り寿司(ずし)を食(た)べたい。

I want to eat nigiri sushi.

この店(みせ)の握(にぎ)り寿司(ずし)は新鮮(しんせん)でおいしい。

The nigiri sushi at this restaurant is fresh and delicious.

寿司(すし)職人(しょくにん)が目(め)の前(まえ)で握(にぎ)り寿司(ずし)を作(つく)ってくれた。

The sushi chef made nigiri sushi right in front of us.

The most iconic form of sushi, made by pressing vinegared rice by hand and topping it with a slice of fish or seafood. Also called 握(にぎ)りずし or simply 握(にぎ)り.

Counting patterns

一貫(いっかん)、二貫(にかん) — pieces are counted with 貫(かん).

COMMON TOPPINGS (ネタ):

鮪(まぐろ): tuna
鮭(さけ)/サーモン: salmon
海老(えび): shrimp
烏賊(いか): squid
玉子(たまご): egg

Other sushi types

巻(ま)き寿司(ずし): rolled sushi
散(ち)らし寿司(ずし): scattered sushi
押(お)し寿司(ずし): pressed sushi

Cultural note

Originated in the Edo period as a quick street food. Eating at a 回転(かいてん)寿司(ずし) (conveyor belt sushi) restaurant is an affordable way to enjoy 握(にぎ)り寿司(ずし).

Related Words

Related: 押(お)し寿司(ずし) (pressed sushi)

general

Added 2026.3.24 20:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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