A sushi kit sounds like a shortcut, but most of the work is the rice, the fillings and a sharp knife. What a kit really decides is how you will shape the roll: on a bamboo mat as a sushi cook does, on a frame that measures the rice for you, or with a plastic tube that does the rolling.
That choice is what this page is about. Amazon is full of near-identical boxes with dozens of pieces, so we stuck to makers we could identify and leaned on two named sources where they cover a kit.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working kitchen looks for, makers’ specifications, verified buyer reports and the published reviews named on this page. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which sushi kit to buy
Buy the Delamu Bamboo Sushi Making Kit, 9-in-1 if you want to learn the traditional way. Just One Cookbook names it the best basic kit. Choose the SushiQuik Sushi Making Kit if getting an even layer of rice is what worries you, and the Delamu 20-in-1 if you want one box with a knife and several rolling methods.
Whichever you choose, none of these make your rice for you, and good rice matters more than any tool.
Five sushi kits side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of beginner, with what is in each box. All seven options are reviewed in full below.
| Kit | Best for | How it rolls | Knife | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Delamu Bamboo Sushi Making Kit, 9-in-1Best overall
|
Learning the traditional way | Bamboo mats | No knife | View on Amazon |
SushiQuik Sushi Making KitBest for rice control
|
Even rice for beginners | Plastic frame and mat | No knife | View on Amazon |
Joyce Chen 3-Piece Sushi Making KitBest simple kit
|
A plain set with a booklet | Bamboo mat | No knife | View on Amazon |
Delamu Sushi Making Kit, 20-in-1Best with a knife
|
Gifts and big sushi nights | Bamboo, bazooka, temaki rollers | Knife included | View on Amazon |
Roll Model Sushi Silicone Making KitBest silicone kit
|
Frequent rollers | Silicone mat and slicer | No knife | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Contents are as stated in each listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best sushi making kit
These seven range from a three-piece bamboo set to a 20-piece box. We note what each kit leaves out as well as what it includes, since the missing knife is what catches most beginners out.
1. Delamu Bamboo Sushi Making Kit, 9-in-1 – The Traditional Basics
This is the kit that teaches you to roll sushi the way it is usually done. You get two bamboo rolling mats, a rice paddle, a rice spreader and five pairs of chopsticks, and the listing says the buyer gets a downloadable beginner guide.
Namiko Chen, the cook behind Just One Cookbook, names this her best basic kit and calls it “easy for sushi beginners and first-timers.” That lines up with why we chose it. There is nothing here you need to learn to operate, only the mat itself, which is the skill you came for.
What it leaves out is a knife and anything to mix rice in, so plan to use a sharp knife you own and a large bowl. Bamboo mats need drying well after use. Delamu is an Amazon-first brand and the set is bamboo throughout, per the listing.
Why we like it
- Two bamboo rolling mats
- Named best basic kit by Just One Cookbook
- Paddle and spreader for the rice
- Beginner guide available to download, per listing
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated in this listing |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 9 |
| Rolling method | Bamboo mat |
| Main material | Bamboo |
| Knife | None |
| Guide | Downloadable e-book |
| Care | Not stated in this listing |
| Sold by at check | Delamu Official |
Why we recommend it
It suits a first-timer who wants to learn the real technique for very little outlay. If you enjoy it, you have not wasted money on gadgets.
Skip it if you do not want to use a mat at all. The SushiQuik is built for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Teaches the traditional method
- Named recommendation
- Simple to store
Cons
- No knife
- Amazon-first brand
- Bamboo needs careful drying
2. SushiQuik Sushi Making Kit – A Frame That Measures the Rice
The hardest part of a first roll is getting the right amount of rice in an even layer. SushiQuik goes straight at that problem. It has a training frame that sets your rice layer, along with a paddle, a rolling mat that snaps apart for cleaning, a roll cutter and a base, all in plastic.
The mat sections snap apart, and the maker says the pieces go in the dishwasher, which solves the rice-in-the-gaps problem with bamboo. The roll cutter guides your knife, but no knife is included.
Reviews are mixed, and you should know that. Just One Cookbook says it “does have a bit of a learning curve” and that its all-plastic build “may be less than sturdy,” and it prefers conventional equipment. Reviewed calls it an unconventional kit with a learning curve, a mat of middling quality and no knife. Both still mention it, since it does solve a real problem.
Why we like it
- Training frame sets the rice layer
- Mat snaps apart for washing
- Roll cutter guide included
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | KIT-SUSHIROLLER |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 7 |
| Rolling method | Plastic mat with training frame |
| Main material | Plastic |
| Knife | None; cutter guide only |
| Guide | Not stated in this listing |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Sold by at check | NAVIRA. |
Why we recommend it
It suits a beginner or a family with kids who care more about even rolls than about traditional tools. Easy washing is its other strength.
Skip it if you want to learn the traditional mat technique, or want sturdy tools. Reviewers find the plastic less convincing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Directly addresses uneven rice
- Easy to clean
- Made as a teaching tool
Cons
- Learning curve, per two named reviews
- All plastic
- No knife
3. SushiQuik Plus Sushi Making Kit – The Same System With Onigiri Molds
SushiQuik Plus is the same plastic system as the original with more in the box: the base, training frame, rolling mat, cutter and paddle, along with soy sauce caps, onigiri molds and chopsticks, for 18 pieces in all.
The onigiri molds are the main reason to choose this over the original. Rice balls are easier for children to shape than a roll, so a family can get more out of one kit, and the listing pitches this at beginners and kids.
It shares the original’s strengths and weaknesses. It should be simple to clean, and the same reviewer concerns about the plastic apply, although those reviews looked at the original kit. There is still no knife.
Why we like it
- Includes onigiri molds and chopsticks
- 18 pieces in all
- Same training frame
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | SushiQuik Plus |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 18 |
| Rolling method | Plastic mat with training frame |
| Main material | Plastic |
| Knife | None; cutter guide only |
| Guide | Not stated in this listing |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Sold by at check | NAVIRA. |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that wants a sushi night with kids helping, where onigiri give younger cooks an easy win.
Skip it if you do not need the extras. The original SushiQuik has the same rolling system.
Pros and cons
Pros
- More to do for kids
- Same simple frame
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Reviewers question the plastic on the original kit
- More pieces to store
- No knife
4. Joyce Chen 3-Piece Sushi Making Kit – Just the Tools, From a Known Name
Joyce Chen is a long-standing name in Asian cookware in the US, and this is about as simple as a kit can be: a bamboo roller mat, a bamboo rice paddle and an instruction and recipe booklet. There is nothing else to store or figure out.
The booklet is what separates it from a bare mat. It gives a first-timer a printed place to start, without having to find a download. The maker says to hand wash for best results.
It does not include chopsticks or a spreader, but you do not really need those. You do need a sharp knife, nori, rice and a big bowl. It is sold by Amazon at the time of checking, so returns are simple.
Why we like it
- Bamboo roller mat and paddle
- Printed instruction and recipe booklet
- Identifiable long-running maker
- Sold by Amazon at the time of checking
Key specifications
| Model | J33-0022 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 3 |
| Rolling method | Bamboo mat |
| Main material | Bamboo |
| Knife | None |
| Guide | Printed booklet |
| Care | Hand wash |
| Sold by at check | Amazon.com |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who prefers a small, plain set from a known maker with a booklet in the box.
Skip it if you want more than one mat, or extras for a group. The Delamu kits include more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple
- Printed guide
- Named maker
Cons
- Only one mat
- No knife
- Fewer extras than other kits
5. Delamu Sushi Making Kit, 20-in-1 – The Everything Box
If you want a box with everything, this is it. The Delamu 20-in-1 has two bamboo mats, a bazooka roller, two temaki rollers, a rice mold, a paddle, a spreader, chopsticks, sauce dishes, a guide book and a chef’s knife. So it covers most of what you would otherwise need to buy separately.
Just One Cookbook names it the “best accessories” kit, for those “searching for a sushi-making kit with all the bells and whistles,” and notes that reviewers raised durability concerns. Reviewed makes it a top pick, saying reviews mention that the rollers are nice and the knife is very sharp.
Expect the included parts to be more about variety than quality, and a real sushi fan will likely upgrade the knife. The bazooka is a useful option for people who struggle with a mat. Its listing says the materials are food-safe and BPA-free.
Why we like it
- Includes a chef’s knife
- Bazooka, temaki rollers and mats
- Named pick from Just One Cookbook and Reviewed
- Guide book in the box
Key specifications
| Model | sushi roller 001 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 20 |
| Rolling method | Bamboo mat, bazooka, temaki rollers |
| Main material | Bamboo, plastic |
| Knife | Included |
| Guide | Guide book |
| Care | Not stated in this listing |
| Sold by at check | Delamu Official |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host or a gift buyer who wants one box that covers rolls, temaki and nigiri shapes without any extra shopping.
Skip it if you already own a good knife and do not want gadgets. The 9-in-1 is enough.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most complete set here
- Two named recommendations
- Several rolling methods to try
Cons
- Durability concerns noted by reviewers
- Many parts to store
- Amazon-first brand
6. Roll Model Sushi Silicone Making Kit – A Silicone Mat That Washes Clean
Roll Model uses silicone for its mat rather than bamboo. You get a 9 by 9.5 inch silicone mat, a rice paddle, a roll slicer that guides a standard eight-piece cut, and a recipe book with 25 recipes, according to the listing.
Silicone solves the two usual complaints about bamboo: rice stuck in the slats and a mat that takes time to dry. The maker says the set is dishwasher safe, which is a real plus if you will make sushi often.
We could not find a named independent review of this kit, so this pick rests on the listing. The roll slicer does not replace a good knife, and you will still need one. It is an Amazon-first brand, and a silicone mat does not give quite the same feel as bamboo if you are learning traditional technique.
Why we like it
- Silicone mat, 9 x 9.5 inches
- Roll slicer for an eight-piece cut
- Recipe book with 25 recipes, per listing
- Dishwasher safe, per the maker
Key specifications
| Model | 3170 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | Mat, paddle, slicer, book |
| Rolling method | Silicone mat |
| Main material | Silicone, plastic |
| Knife | None; slicer guide only |
| Guide | Recipe book |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Sold by at check | New Bounce |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who plans to make rolls regularly and wants a simple mat that goes in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you want to learn with bamboo. Pick the Joyce Chen or the Delamu 9-in-1.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to wash
- Includes a slicer
- Recipe book in the box
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- No named independent review found
- No knife
7. Helen’s Asian Kitchen Non-Stick Silicone Sushi Mat – Not a Kit, Just a Better Mat
This is not a kit, and we say so plainly. It is a single 9 by 9 inch silicone mat for someone who already has a paddle and a knife, or who bought a kit and finds the bamboo mat fiddly. It is worth including because it fixes that particular problem so well.
Helen’s Asian Kitchen says the non-stick, non-absorbent mat needs no plastic wrap and will not stick to or tear seaweed, and rolls release without trouble. It lists hosomaki, futomaki and inside-out uramaki as uses, the last being where bamboo usually needs plastic wrap.
It rolls up for storage, it is dishwasher safe, and it will not mildew, per the maker. On its own, it gives you nothing else, so buy it to fill a gap, not as a first and only purchase unless your kitchen already has the rest.
Why we like it
- Needs no plastic wrap, per the maker
- Dishwasher safe
- Works for inside-out rolls
- Rolls up for storage
Key specifications
| Model | 97155 |
|---|---|
| Pieces | 1 |
| Rolling method | Silicone mat |
| Main material | Silicone |
| Knife | None |
| Guide | None |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
| Sold by at check | Cooking on Mars |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who has the rest of the gear and wants an easier way to roll, especially rice-on-the-outside rolls.
Skip it if you want everything in one purchase. This is a single mat.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No plastic wrap needed
- Simple to clean
- Won’t mildew, per the maker
Cons
- Only a mat, not a full kit
- Third-party seller at the time of checking
- Different feel from bamboo
How to choose a sushi rolling kit
Mat or gadget. A bamboo mat is the traditional tool, and it takes a little practice. A training frame like SushiQuik’s or a bazooka gets you consistent shapes quicker, but you will not learn the mat technique. Just One Cookbook prefers conventional tools for that reason.
Bamboo or silicone. Bamboo is cheap and classic, but rice gets into the slats and it needs to dry properly. Silicone washes easily and does not need plastic wrap, though it feels different in the hand.
Do you need a knife? A clean cut matters for how a roll looks, and most of these kits do not include a blade. If you have a sharp slicing knife, wet it and you are set. If not, the Delamu 20-in-1 includes one, or look at our best Japanese knife guide.
How much you will use it. A one-time party needs a simple kit. If you will roll every week, it pays to choose something easy to wash and to skip extras you will not use.
What a kit does not include. None of these contain rice, nori or fish, and you will need a rice cooker or pot for the rice. Our Japanese rice cooker guide covers that part. For fillings, start with cooked or vegetable fillings, and if you use raw fish, ask your fishmonger what is sold for eating raw.
How we picked these sushi kits
We looked for kits from identifiable makers that were in stock. We read each listing for what is in the box, and we used two named sources: Just One Cookbook’s sushi kit guide, by Namiko Hirasawa Chen, and Reviewed’s roundup. Reviewed says its picks draw on user reviews, specifications and only limited direct experience, so we treat it as a useful summary rather than a test. There are dozens of look-alike kits on Amazon, and we limited this page to two Amazon-first brands. The Roll Model and Joyce Chen picks rest on listing details, and the Helen’s Asian Kitchen pick is included openly as a mat rather than a kit.
Sushi kit questions, answered
What do I actually need to make sushi at home?
A mat, a paddle, a sharp knife, a large bowl, seasoned rice and nori. A kit covers the first two, and sometimes the knife. The rest comes from your kitchen and the store.
Is a bazooka easier than a bamboo mat?
It is easier to get a uniform roll, because you press rice and fillings into a tube and push them out. You give up some of the tightness and feel of a hand-rolled roll, which is why Just One Cookbook prefers a basic kit with traditional tools.
Is SushiQuik good for beginners?
It is designed for beginners, and it does help with even rice. Both Just One Cookbook and Reviewed mention a learning curve, so it is not automatic, but its frame can still be a good way into it.
How do I clean a bamboo sushi mat?
Hand wash it, then dry it fully before you put it away, as damp bamboo can mildew. Many cooks wrap the mat in plastic wrap while rolling inside-out sushi to keep it cleaner.
Do these kits come with ingredients?
Not the ones here. Just One Cookbook names a kit with ingredients from Global Grub, but it was low on stock when we checked, so we did not list it.
Our final word on rolling sushi at home
Related guide: Best gifts for sushi lovers.
Start with the Delamu 9-in-1 if you want to learn the real technique, and the SushiQuik if an even rice layer is what worries you. For the rest of the setup, read our best Japanese rice cooker guide, the best rice colander page and the best Japanese cookbook page if you want more recipes. If tonight is not the night for rolling anything but tacos, call to order from Julia’s.