Sushi in Japan vs North America is a tale of tradition meeting creativity. While Japanese sushi focuses on simplicity like nigiri and hosomaki, North American sushi often takes the form of bold, inventive rolls with rice on the outside.
In Japan, sushi tends to be much simpler. You’ll find nigiri (a slice of fresh fish over rice) or hosomaki (thin rolls with just one filling, like tuna or cucumber). But once sushi made its way to North America, it evolved into something more creative, playful, and fusion-focused.
Food always adapts to its culture, and sushi is no exception. To see the difference up close, we visited three local Vancouver spots to try both classic Japanese styles and the creative North American twists.
🍣 Sushi Han – Richmond
📍Location: 8180 No 2 Rd #182, Richmond
At Sushi Han, the rolls lean into that creative North American flair. We tried:
- Mango California Roll
- Chopped Scallop Roll
- Cheese Hill Roll
- Aburi Seafood Roll
From creamy scallops to smoky aburi and even tropical mango, Sushi Han’s menu shows how sushi in Vancouver has evolved into fusion comfort food.
🍣 Sushi Mura – Richmond
📍Location: 6928 Pearson Wy #115, Richmond
A local favourite, Sushi Mura (check out our review!) is known for large portions and value. We ordered:
- Chopped Scallop Roll
- Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Roll
- Dynamite Roll
The smoked salmon cream cheese roll was a standout for us — a perfect example of that rich, indulgent North American sushi style.
🍣 Yuki Cafe – Vancouver
📍 3612 Kingsway, Vancouver
Yuki Cafe blends tradition with creativity. Featured on our instagram reel were:
- Aburi Salmon Toro Trio
- Assorted Hosomaki
The hosomaki here is simple and clean, reflecting the more traditional Japanese approach. But the aburi toro trio brought in that Vancouver signature flame-seared touch, bridging both worlds.
🎥 Sushi in Japan vs North America: What’s the Difference?
We broke down all the differences between Japanese sushi and North American rolls, highlighting how sushi has evolved into something much more creative here in Vancouver. From classic nigiri and hosomaki in Japan to uramaki and fusion rolls in North America, the contrast is fascinating — and delicious. To bring this to life, we visited some of our favorite Vancouver sushi spots and captured everything in action.
👉 Watch the full reel on BiteBuddy Instagram to see the rolls up close!
🌏 Sushi Evolves Wherever It Goes
Whether you prefer the simplicity of Japanese nigiri and hosomaki, or the bold creativity of North American rolls, one thing is certain — sushi is loved worldwide, and it continues to evolve with every culture it touches.
👉 What’s your go-to order: a classic tuna hosomaki, or a loaded dynamite roll?
Interested in reading more about food? Check out our review of Jimoco Cafe & Pasta!