Fun and Fancy Sushi: Nigiri-Zushi, Onigiri and Maki-Zushi for Every Day and Parties [Paperback]

There are many sushi preparation books in the market and there are simple books that are effective in detailing the steps and preparations specifically for the beginner and then there are some that may have good photography of the sushi but not really beginner-friendly steps on preparation.

So, I was definitely willing to see how "FUN & FANCY SUSHI" compares to other sushi books. With Seiko Ogawa, Ine Mizuno and 2-time winner of the "All Japan Professional Sushi Contest" (courtesy of TV Tokyo), was definitely interested to see how the three would prepare their book.

The book is broken down to the following chapters and in those chapters a good number of recipes of different types of sushi.

1. NEW WAVES OF ONIGIRI (RICE BALLS): Make Onigiri more appetizing - Canape style Onigiri, Substancial rice and side dish (Side-dish Onigiri) and variations with Tempura
2. TRADITIONAL ONIGIRI: Rice mixed with a variety of ingredients, Accompaniements to Onigiri for Lunch Boxes
3. NIGIRI-ZUSHI (Squeezed Sushi): How to make Nigiri-zushi, Gunkan-Maki (Battleship Wrap), Variations of Nigiri-Zushi, Mini-nigiri and Animal-Nigiri
4. FANCY ONIGIRI: Four variations of Inari-Zushi
5. COOKED ONIGIRI: Toasting, Deep-Frying, Steaming, Boiling
6. FANCY MAKI ZUSHI: Basic fancy Maki-Zushi, Fancy Maki-Zushi Calendar
7. ONIGIRI STORIES - History of sushi, nutritional value and more

Right off the bat, this book definitely has a good presentation with its overall layout and introducing the various types of sushi. Many don't have all the pictures, nor do they go into detail. As you can see from the image above on "Canape-style Onigiri", the writers not only feature the pictures of the Onigiri but also showcase what is inside it and overall method of preparing the different types of Onigiri.

It's very important to sushi preparation book where you can see the visuals of the sushi. Not paired with other sushi but separately and also showing you what is inside and giving you a clear idea of what you may want to make.

So, that's one positive about this book that it's detailed by showcasing the various types of sushi.

The next positive that I give to this book is in the actual recipe and preparation. Like most cookbooks, you get the step-by-step instructions but "FUN & FANCY SUSHI" also displays the actual preparation while things are getting mixed, cooking in a pan, etc. These photos are a nice touch to the full color photos of the sushi that is presented.

For example, the chapter on tempura. The writers showcase a basic onigiri with tempura but then show a picture of the prawns and salt being sprinkled. Then beating the egg with cold water and flour and then dry patting the prawn and putting it into the pan and then making a rice ball. These are not just copies of text, there is an accompanied photograph and this is very important for the beginner.

One chapter even goes as far as showing how to make rice, washing out the rice and when it's ready. So, that's what I mean by user-friendly. Really simple steps that the beginners need to know and fortunately, the writers include that. Many sushi cookbooks don't go that far into detail on the basics but this is another positive for this sushi preparation book.

Another chapter is "nigiri-zushi", this is the type of sushi that you would most likely find at a restaurant (pre-prepared). This book shows step-by-step with the actual hands of how much rice is in a hand and then how the fingers are used to flatten the prawn or shellfish right on top of the rice. Again, very simple!

And for maki-zushi fans (rolled up sushi), the same goes with this chapter on pictures showing how each step is made.

"FUN & FANCY SUSHI" is actually a very well-done sushi preparation book and targeted towards beginners and intermediate sushi makers. The step-by-step photography and it's simple communication towards the beginner is what makes this book shine.

Not only does the book go into basic sushi but a few delicious and advance style of sushi as well but again, the instructions are concise, straightforward and beginners will be able to understand it. Again, there are photos with each step to help the beginner along the way.

As a person who owns a few sushi cookbooks, "FUN & FANCY SUSHI" is probably the best sushi preparation book I have seen targeted towards the beginner. I've spent money on quite a few sushi books that don't have photos for it's step-by-step instructions. Just the usual high-res photo of the end product and how it should look like and next to it, a verbose instruction that sometimes goes over my head.

So, I was definitely pleased with this book. A lot of positives reasons to buy this book for anyone interested in making sushi and many different types of sushi as well. Highly recommended!

I got this cookbook for my girlfriend and myself since we are into making sushi and onigiri. It has a great number for variations on the later, with some very very cool sushi rolls. Wanna do a panda face? A flower? They have some very detailed pictures (verbal instructions just don't work) as to how you fold each set of ingredients into forming the "picture" in the rolls. A great book for inspiring "roll-your-own-sushi-night". A great buy, and I actually got a second book shortly after for my girlfriend to give to one of her friends whom also loves to make rice balls and sushi.

This was a birthday present and I was really excited to get it. There are many onigiri recipes and the kind of home made sushi that my Japanese friends make for their bentos lunches and parties. I got tired of bringing fried rice, steamed plain rice, for my bento lunch, and was looking for gluten-free one hand food items that I can eat while driving. Small size onigiri to the rescue.

I've tried several onigiris from this book. The difference between rice balls and sushi is simple - rice balls are usually made at home, with different cooked toppings that can be placed on top on stuffed in the center of the rice balls. (like rice sandwiches) it is very handy and easy to make. I really make a lot of rice balls these days, and like sandwiches, you can put whatever you like within the rice ball.

The rolled sushi part is great. If you have kids and want to make some cute rolls, these are the recipes and step by step photos that show you how (sushi roll with panda pictures, flower pictures, etc.) very creative.

It's getting to the point that I went out to Japanese markets and bought a bunch of different molds so I can make the cute rice balls for myself and hubby. I use this book ALMOST DAILY for bentos.