The Negihama Roll

The negihama is an iconic roll and a popular gateway sushi for more advanced items. 

This post is a crash course on its ingredients, variations, and preparation method.  

What is Negihama? 

Negihama is a combination of negi (scallion) and hamachi. The hamachi is finely minced and then mixed with the negi. You’ll often find this classic negi hamachi combo served as a hosomaki. This is a thin sushi roll with nori seaweed on the outside. 

Negihama is closely related to the negitoro. This minced tuna and scallion combo likely came first. 

Hamachi – Japanese Amberjack

Hamachi is one of the most popular fish used for sushi. It’s usually called yellowtail or Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata). 

Hamachi is almost always farm-raised. 

This negi hamachi post is part of an informative sushi and sashimi guide. Check it out if you want to take your sushi game pro.

Negihama Roll 

There are two popular types of negi hamachi rolls. 

Hosomaki 

Hosomaki is the classic way to serve negihama sushi. It’s a thin roll with seaweed on the outside. This sushi roll is usually cut into six pieces. 

How to Make a Negihama Maki

Check out this simple and helpful video from Umami Dream.

Temaki 

A negihama hand roll is a meatier type of sushi. The hamachi and green onion are wrapped with nori seaweed in a conical shape. 

Temaki are a bigger sushi roll with a satisfying texture. They’re also a little easier to make at home. And they have the added benefit of being portable. 

Other Negi Hamachi Dishes

Maki sushi is not the only way you can enjoy negihama. Below are a couple other popular variations. 

Negihama Gunkan

Gunkanmaki is a variation of nigiri sushi. It consists of a finger of rice, with nori wrapped around the outside. The nori holds loose ingredients in place. 

Negihama gunkan looks and tastes great. It’s my favorite way to enjoy negi hamachi sushi. 

Negihama Don

Donburi are rice bowls. A negihama don will be minced hamachi and scallion over cooked rice. The rice is unseasoned (not sushi rice). And adding soy sauce and wasabi is common. 

Donburi doesn’t use sushi rice, so it’s not considered sushi. However, you can substitute sushi rice. It’s technically a chirashi with this substitution. 

31 Days of Sushi

If you find this post useful or enjoyable, I suggest you check out some of the other content in my 31 Days of Sushi campaign. Every day in August I’ll share a new piece of content. Topics are centered around nigiri and maki sushi. I include sashimi info, as well.

Share Your Opinions!

Negihama is one of my favorite rolls. Have you tried it and what do you think?

Also, do you have a favorite restaurant that serves negihama?

Please share your thoughts by commenting below!