Oshinko Roll (Japanese Pickle Sushi Roll Recipe)

5 from 4 votes

Learn how to make an easy Oshinko Roll filled with pickled vegetables called oshinko. Enjoy this refreshing and authentic Japanese maki sushi at home!

Looking for sushi roll recipes? Try my Avocado SushiRoll, Cucumber Sushi Roll, or Kanpyo Sushi Roll!

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This oshinko roll is a classic sushi roll with pickled radish (takuan).
Perfect for beginners who want to try making sushi at home.
It’s a great vegan-friendly sushi option everyone will enjoy!

Types of Sushi Rolls

The sushi roll, known in Japanese as Maki sushi or Nori maki, is made by wrapping a nori sheet (seaweed) around a layer of vinegared rice and some fillings in the center. There are three types of maki sushi: Hosomaki (“thin roll” with a single filling), Futomaki (“thick roll” with a variety of fillings), and Uramaki (“inside-out roll”).

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Oshinko Roll Recipe:

Cooked Rice: Use Japanese short-grain rice, which is sticky, fluffy, and perfect for making sushi rolls. If you are not familiar with the rice, see this recipe: “How to cook Japanese short-grain rice on the stove.”
Takuan: A Japanese pickled daikon radish, typically sliced and served as a side dish. Its vibrant flavor and crunchy texture make it a perfect complement to various Japanese meals.
Nori Sheets are crisp dried seaweed in sheet form. In this recipe, use a full-size nori sheet and divide it in half.
Rice Vinegar, Sugar, and Salt for vinegared rice. Other types of vinegar might be too strong for the rice, so I highly recommend using rice vinegar. You can also use store-bought seasoned rice vinegar.

Makisu (Bamboo Sushi Mat)

A makisu, a bamboo mat or sushi rolling mat, is a traditional tool for rolling sushi. It is made from thin bamboo strips woven together with string. The Makisu provides support and helps shape the sushi roll while keeping the ingredients tightly wrapped.

*If you don’t have a Makisu, you can still make sushi using a sheet of plastic wrap as a substitute.

How To Make Oshinko Roll: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Cut takuan into thin strips.

Step 2

Blend rice vinegar, salt and sugar.

Step 3

Add the sushi vinegar to the cooked rice and blend well.

Step 4

Place a nori sheet on a sushi mat and spread the sushi rice.

Step 5

Place the takuan slices in the center of the rice.

Step 6

Roll from the front and apply gentle pressure to shape the roll.

Cut the oshinko maki roll into small bites and serve them alongside soy sauce for dipping. For added flavor, you can also offer wasabi (Japanese horseradish) and pickled ginger on the side. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

When spreading the rice, wet your hands with water to prevent the sticky rice from clinging to your fingers, or use a rice paddle to make spreading easier.
Nori sheets have a shiny side and a rough side. Always place the shiny side down when assembling the roll.
When cutting, have a wet cloth ready. Moistening the knife before slicing makes the rice not stick and makes it easy to cut.

Your Questions Answered

What is Oshinko?

Oshinko refers to Japanese pickled vegetables, often including daikon radish, cucumber, or other vegetables. It is a traditional side dish served in many Japanese meals.

What does Maki Sushi mean?

In sushi terminology, “maki” refers to a roll. Japanese sushi rolls are named by combining the main ingredient with “maki,” such as oshinko maki (pickled daikon roll) and natto maki (fermented soybean roll).

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