There are times sushi rice doesn't yield the texture you desired; hence, you end up with sushi rice so sticky. So sticky that it ends up sticking to your hands. What a mess!
Assuming your sushi rice turned up like that, making "Nigiri" would be a challenge. It would be tough to create a bite-sized mound with gooey rice and a lack of texture.
So what makes sushi rice too sticky?
Short answer. Multiple factors stemmed from this hiccup. Some utilize the wrong type of rice, put too much rice vinegar than required, add extra water than recommended, or prolong the cooking time.
With so many reasons that set off this issue, let's discuss further why your sushi rice is so sticky and offer some resolutions. Please read on.

Sushi rice so sticky?
You may wonder why sushi rice so sticky? One of the factors of this occurrence is the high ratio of starch and moisture present in the rice grains. For that reason, short-grain rice turns out sticky and clingy.
The heat drives rice to emit starch, some kinds better than anyone else. The starch and the liquid molecules accelerate when you heat starch in a liquid while water ooze into the grains.
As a result, the starch blooms and turns to sticky consistency once the rice heats the bubbling water.
Starchy food consists of two starch molecules known as Amylopectin and Amylose. The main feature of Amylopectin is to thicken or gelatinize when cooked. When the ratio of Amylose is less and the Amylopectin is higher, the outcome is stickiness. That's the characteristic of the short-grain rice grown in Japan.
Therefore, if you wish to enjoy that homemade Sushi from scratch, use Japanese short-grain rice with high Amylopectin and low amylose levels.
The problem with sticky sushi rice
I can relate to feeling annoyed when Sushi is so sticky and stuck in your hand. Regardless of what you do about it, it's a challenge to get rid of the sticky rice.
How to stop sushi rice from sticking to your hands?
The resolution is plain and straightforward. Habitually put a bowl half-filled with water next to you. Dip or wet your hands into the bowl whenever you are preparing sushi rice.
- The clever hack here is to add a splash of rice vinegar into the water, which helps keep the rice from sticking to your hands.
So, how to make rice less sticky?
You can minimize the stickiness by washing and pre-soaking the rice most of the time. This extra step will remove some loose starch, making the rice less sticky.
Does adding vinegar make the rice sticky?
Rice vinegar, made from fermented rice, is the best vinegar for making sushi rice. Sushi rice won't get its taste without vinegar's mild and sweet flavor. I, however, wouldn't recommend replacing rice vinegar with other types of vinegar as you will only end up with an odd flavor and taste.
On the other hand, adding vinegar makes your sushi rice fluffier and enhances its overall flavor. Moreover, sushi rice becomes more hygienic, thanks to vinegar's antibacterial properties.
In contrast, adding too much vinegar can make your sushi rice super sticky, but just about enough gives less clumpy grains. Separated rice happens by rinsing the extra starch from the rice, which helps segregate the granules.
But this occurrence only applies when adding vinegar while cooking the rice. You can, however, alternatively add vinegar to cooked rice.
Just follow the vinegar ratio required; for example, add ½ cup of vinegar for every 3 cups of raw sushi rice.
Why season cooked rice with vinegar?
The next question that may pop to mind is why we have to season cooked rice with vinegar instead of eating it plain. It's all because of the history and origins of sushi rice.
Did you know that 'sushi' means 'sour flavor'? Yes, and its origin is an ancient tradition.
The Japanese traditionally used fermented rice to swathe the fish for preservation before consumption. From the 1300s to 1500s, the Japanese gradually halted this process and began integrating vinegar into rice.
Subsequently, they have noticed the importance of vinegar in preserving fish in parallel to enhancing rice taste. This stemmed from the common practice of eating fish with vinegared rice, which eventually unfolded into a beautiful delicacy known as Sushi.
Fast forward to today's generation, the point of adding vinegar to sushi rice is to infuse more flavor. A dash of vinegar accentuates the seaweed roll and fish taste.
How to keep sushi rice from getting too sticky
The main goal is to keep rice sticky to a certain extent but avoid overly sticky rice. Sadly, anything can happen, and we tend to screw up sometime.
Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can try to prevent the rice from getting too sticky in the first place.
1 Buy the right type of sushi rice
First, you need to buy all the necessary ingredients, preferably from an Asian grocery store, to make Sushi at home. And the most important on the list is short-grain rice.
You may find many rice packets labeled sushi rice, referring to short Japanese rice grains, at the store. However, do not assume sushi rice is similar to "sticky rice" as both are entirely different.
Sticky rice produces a gluey texture once cooked and used for other dishes aside from Sushi. However, though consistency is sticky, sushi rice is still manageable. This article tells more about it and its differences from sushi rice.
Shop for Shinmai short Japanese rice grains to make sushi rice. 'Shinmai' means fresh harvest crop in Japanese, giving the best result when cooked.
2 Not washing the rice adequately
What happens if you don't wash rice properly? Good question because not doing so leads to a more sticky rice texture. It is significant to rinse rice several times until the murky water turns clear.
You can achieve positive results for most everyday meals without soaking your rice. However, there are two purposes why rinsing rice is vital.
- Various mill factories outside the U.S. territories sprinkle talc as a milling aid process. This is a necessary procedure for imported rice.
- Proper rinsing unloads loose starch, reducing the rice stickiness when cooking.
However, as sushi rice has to be sticky, it's equally crucial that you do not overdo the washing. You also have to carefully wash the grains so that you don't end up with broken grains.
Broken grains will only give you broken rice and yield different results.
While you may find pre-washed rice options, buying them is not recommended. I also appropriate soaking the rice for half an hour before using it. It will give you perfectly cooked sushi rice.
3 Methods used for cooking rice
You can cook your sushi rice in an electric cooker or a pot. Each method has its pros and cons.
The traditional method is to use a pot for cooking the rice. And the advantage of this cooking method is that you can keep an eye on the rice as it cooks. You can also check its progress and make adjustments where required.
BUT some experts don't recommend this method for beginners, and it is best to let those who already know how to cook perfect sushi rice.
Sushi chefs perfected cooking sushi rice because of their many years of practice. Besides, as you have to cook the rice manually, you will end up with gooey rice if you forget or are too late to turn off the heat.
So if it's your first time cooking rice, you should use a rice cooker instead for ease and convenience. In this case, you wash the rice accordingly and follow the water cup required.
Rice cookers on the expensive side offer multiple options for perfectly cooked umami-flavored rice.
4 Use the right amount of vinegar seasoning
People have been using vinegar to season sushi rice since the inception of the dish. In effect, they never threw rice after starting this tradition and instead started relishing it with fish.
However, there is the risk of sticky or challenging to handle rice if you add too much seasoning. Experts say to let it cool before seasoning with vinegar to get properly textured rice.
Pro tips:
- The rule of thumb is to use ½ cup of rice vinegar for every 3 cups of uncooked short-grain rice. You can then adjust the amount of vinegar to add based on this ratio.
- It's alright to add some sugar and salt to the vinegar if you prefer a bit of salty or sweetness.
- The best way to get properly seasoned is by transferring the cooked sushi rice to a mixing bowl or "hangiri." Make a slicing or cutting motion over the rice and drizzle the sushi vinegar to distribute evenly.
- Keep fanning the rice as you blend vinegar into the hot rice. While this takes a bit of effort, you end up with the perfect sushi rice if done correctly.
5 Don't add too much water
It doesn't matter how good you are at using a pot for cooking sushi rice. Make sure you use a standard cup to gauge the right amount of water for cooking. Not following the required water ratio is the primary cause of overly sticky rice.
I measure the water before cooking because I know how a small measurement mistake can ruin the dish.
The Japanese golden rule for the rice-to-water ratio is 1 to 1.1 (or 1.2). That is 10%-20% more water (that you didn't add)! For one rice cooker cup (180 ml or ¾ U.S. cup) of rice, you will need 200 ml of water, not 180 ml.
When using a pot:
- Soaking the grains for at least 30 to 40 minutes is necessary when using a pot.
- Put the lid on until the water boils, turn the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Always add 120 ml of water for every 100 grams of rice.
When using a rice cooker:
Cook sushi rice in a cooker using a 1:1 ratio of rice and water.
- If you use 2 cups of rice, first rinse it until clouded water turns clear, and soak for at least 40 minutes.
- Drain the water and then add 2 cups of water to get suitably textured rice. Switch on the rice cooker and wait till the rice is done.
6 Cooking longer than required
If you're using a rice cooker, you don't have to worry about this because this appliance has a timer to keep track of the cooking time, and it automatically stops.
Fifteen minutes is perfect for cooking the rice using low heat after the water boils. However, you have to be careful not to overcook the rice longer than needed. Overcooking will leave you with mushy Sushi.
You can check the rice al dente by pressing some granules using your fingers. If it leaves stickiness to the touch, let it cook without the lid.
How to make sushi rice look glossy and fresh
After adding the seasoned vinegar to the rice, continue to fan the rice to bring it to room temperature. Doing this trick yields glossy, polished rice.
The moment you notice the exterior of sushi rice is dry and slick, it implies that the rice is adequately seasoned and good to go. Shield the rice with a moistened paper towel or a damp kitchen towel to maintain freshness.
Don't refrigerate the sushi rice because dried rice is not pliable when molding the sushi roll.
As you can see, time is critical in making perfect Sushi. Having a smartphone or kitchen timer handy is helpful to keep an eye on the soaking and cooking span.
Keep in mind the water ratio is about 10% to 20% more water than the rice volume to make perfect sushi rice.
Are glutinous rice and Sushi rice the same?
The answer is no. Glutinous rice is the main ingredient for cooking Mochi or rice cakes and other Japanese sweets like sekihan. Although sushi rice and glutinous rice belong to the same category, they have some disparities.
Glutinous rice is relatively sweet, so you can use it for cooking savory meals; they are a more popular ingredient in cakes and sweets. However, it has low Amylose and high amylopectin levels, vital components for stickiness.
As the name implies, sushi rice is famous as the chief element used for cooking Sushi. Obviously, it is also applicable to make rice balls or other rice-based delectable fares.
Seasoned sushi rice is perfect for making Nigiri, Temaki and other Sushi rolls prevalent on the dinner table today. While you may try using different rice variants to make Sushi, Japanese short-grain rice is the perfect choice for delicious rolls. The second possible option is Calrose rice.
Read:
- Sushi Rice vs Sticky Rice
- How Long Does Sushi Rice Sit Out
- How to Reheat Sticky Rice and Retain its Fluffiness
Can I substitute sushi rice for glutinous rice?
Technically it's possible. But from my perspective, I would say "no," except you have a higher tolerance in dealing with a gooey mess.
Albeit both exhibit varied characteristics, they are suitable for numerous gastronomies. So there's no point switching one for the other.
Glutinous rice is a fantastic ingredient for making sweet treats. Therefore, using it as a substitute for making sushi rolls might yield undesirable results.
Conversely, substituting glutinous rice with sushi rice is a terrible mistake, particularly if you mention the ingredient seasoned with rice vinegar.
In essence, Sushi is synonymous with the concept of sour-flavored rice. For instance, you're making a dessert treat like Mochi; this alternative evidently won't be a feat. It would appear like dunking chocolate in dressing or gravy.
A mix-up often arises in the supermarket when they use "sushi rice" to label regular Japanese uncooked short-grain rice. Notwithstanding the objective, this kind of rice is ordinary, plain rice that you can use whatever you want.
For instance, if what you have available is raw "sushi rice," whether short-grain or not, it could be highly facilitated as a substitute for glutinous rice when making sweet dishes.
It would be painless to clarify any uncertainty or confusion if they just labeled it "rice for sushi" or short grain, but I digress.
Does sushi rice contain gluten?
To put the record straight, yes, sushi rice itself is gluten-free, but not all Sushi has no gluten. Despite that, there are exemptions to various additives used in sushi rolls that are not gluten-free.
Although we can say that rolls made with raw ingredients irrespective of
fish or vegetables are undoubtedly gluten-free.
Any self-respecting sushi restaurant will only use rice vinegar to season the white rice. All rice vinegar is gluten-free regardless it is a product made in Japan or USA.
Meanwhile, copycat restaurants tend to use artificial and low-cost substitutes in their Sushi and potentially use regular white vinegar or different mixtures that are not gluten-free.
If you have a second thought about what kind of vinegar these restaurants are using, you should be concerned about the integrity of their products.
So, What Sushi is not gluten-free?
Every little thing that is cooked, processed, or fried food items like Tempura are not gluten-free.
1 Unagi or Eel
Eel alone is deemed gluten-free; however, it is laced with barbeque sauce which is not gluten-free.
2 Tempura
Tempura is a traditional Japanese dish characterized by any food covered with batter and deep-fried, making them non-gluten-free. Because of the presence of starch and wheat flour, it is utterly risky for people on a gluten-free diet.
3 Kani or imitation crab
The lion's share of imitation crab brands is NOT gluten-free. However, ingredients may differ from other brands. For the most part, imitation crab is made from surimi, a kind of minced fish that is de-boned, treated, and formed into a shape echoing the real crab meat.
Then they add some flavoring and fillers that often contain some gluten to form the final product. So, if you're a fan of California rolls, stay away from it.
4 The Soy Sauce
Due to the fermented sauce being composed of soy and wheat, most soy sauce selections are NOT gluten-free. If you are looking for an alternative, you can look for a gluten-free soy sauce known as Tamari. It is crafted from a fermented condiment made with soy sans wheat.
5 The Sauces
Considering most sushi sauces are crafted using unique components and kept as the restaurant's top-secret ingredients, it would be prudent to forgo them. Since the ingredients are unknown to their gluten-free diet patron, holding back is worth the effort.
6 The Spicy Rolls
It's a bit tricky when it comes to spicy salmon, spicy tuna, spicy crab, and others. Seeing that spicy rolls are predominantly incorporated with crisp tempura flakes, we can conclude that they are NOT gluten-free.
Indeed, the crunch is not only the main ingredient. There's also the spicy mayo. However, it all comes down to the preparation of the spicy mayo.
Kewpie or Japanese mayo is gluten-free, but condiments are added to it, and some are non-gluten.
It is preferable to refrain from eating spicy rolls if you have harsh reactions to gluten. But there's an option, you can ask for the rolls made without the crunch, and you should be fine.