National Hand Roll Day
July 6, Sunday
What is a hand roll?
A hand roll (temaki) is a type of sushi in which rice, fish, vegetables, and other ingredients are wrapped by hand in a sheet of nori (seaweed), forming a cone shape. It is convenient to hold in the hand and eat without chopsticks. Temaki is especially popular in Japanese home cooking and at sushi parties, as it is easy to make and allows for a wide range of creativity.
Origin of the holiday
The holiday was established in 2018 by American sushi restaurateur Philip Chiou, owner of the KazuNori restaurant chain. The aim of the holiday was to promote temaki as a fresh, convenient, and accessible sushi option that differs from traditional cut rolls.
The date of July 6 was chosen in connection with the opening of the first KazuNori restaurant on this day.
How is a hand roll different from regular sushi?
* Shape: a hand roll is a cone, while classic rolls are cut into round pieces
* Serving: temaki is eaten immediately after preparation so the nori remains crispy
* Convenience: it is eaten with the hands, without chopsticks
* Variety: it is easy to experiment with fillings — from classic tuna to vegetarian options
How is the holiday celebrated?
On this day, fans of Japanese cuisine:
* visit sushi restaurants and order temaki
* learn how to make hand rolls at home
* host themed parties
* share photos and recipes on social media with the hashtag #NationalHandRollDay
* try new flavor combinations and ingredients
Where is it celebrated?
National Hand Roll Day is primarily celebrated in the USA, but thanks to the global popularity of Japanese cuisine, it is also embraced in other countries where sushi is part of urban food culture.
Interesting facts
* Temaki is one of the simplest and most accessible types of sushi for beginners
* In Japan, these rolls are often prepared at home for family dinners
* Classic fillings include tuna, salmon, eel, crab, cucumber, avocado, and mayonnaise