Is Sushi Vegetarian? (What’s Actually In It)

Sushi sounds like it could be vegetarian: rice, seaweed, vegetables. But the word describes the rice, not the toppings, and the toppings are often raw fish. Here is how to tell vegetarian sushi from the rest.

Key Takeaways

• Sushi is not automatically vegetarian: the rice is plant-based, but the toppings are often fish.
• Nigiri is usually fish, and roe, eel and tamago (egg) are not vegetarian.
• Vegetarian options exist: cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, vegetable rolls and inari.
• Watch the sauces: eel sauce and spicy mayo are not vegetarian or vegan.

TL;DR: Sushi is not automatically vegetarian. The word describes vinegared rice, which is plant-based: but the most common toppings are raw fish, eel, crab and egg. Vegetarian sushi (vegetable rolls, inari, avocado rolls) is widely available.

The rice is fine: the toppings decide

Sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar and salt: all vegetarian. The question is what goes on top or inside:

Not vegetarian:

• Nigiri with salmon, tuna, shrimp, eel (unagi) or octopus
• Roe (ikura, tobiko, masago)
• Tamago (sweet egg omelet)
• Imitation crab (kani): usually surimi, which contains egg white

Vegetarian / vegan:

• Kappa maki (cucumber roll)
• Avocado roll
• Vegetable rolls (carrot, asparagus, kampyo)
• Inari (sweet tofu pouch)
• Nori (seaweed) and rice

Watch the sauces and fillings

Spicy mayo, eel sauce (made from fish), and some glazes are not vegetarian: even on an otherwise vegetable roll. If in doubt, ask for no mayo and no eel sauce.

The bottom line

• Vegetarian? Stick to vegetable rolls, inari and avocado rolls; skip fish, roe, eel and egg.
• Vegan? Same, minus tamago and any mayo/eel sauce.

See our Sushi dish guide for the full breakdown.

Check before you eat. The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more). Download on the App Store - Android is coming soon.

Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.

Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.