7 Awesome Places to get Unique Maki (that isn’t California Maki!)

Makis are often overlooked in favour of sashimi, tempura, or even the more common sort of nigiri sushi. The word Maki comes from the word ‘maku’, which means to roll or wrap ingredients, usually in seaweed (nori). Choose from this list of 7 Makis when you’re craving something more unique than California Makis!

Senmi Sushi

First up on the list is Dynamite Maki ($16.80) from Senmi Sushi, a store inside Emporium Shokuhin at Marina Square. The Dynamite Maki contains torched wagyu beef, ebi tempura, and avocado, drizzled with Senmi’s secret sweet and smoky sauce.

I like that the flakes on top did not get soggy and provided a nice crunch. The thinly sliced and torched wagyu beef had melted cheese on top, which went well with the beef. The beef was cooked well without being too tough. Inside the maki, the avocado is wrapped around the ebi tempura.

Japanese Curry Express

“Maki only after 12.30pm!” And our faces fell. Note that even though this small eatery in Fortune Centre opens at 11.30am, their makis are only available after 12.30pm, as they are preparing the rice. Well known for their affordable Salmon Mentai Bowl ($10), they have other affordable options as well. We tried their Mango Ebi Maki ($10), which had thick slices of mango laid upon a maki with fried ebi inside. 

The mango was sweet enough to give the maki a refreshing taste, but it doesn’t overpower or distort the taste of the fried ebi. I especially loved the rice, which is extra sticky and seasoned well. Scoops of tobiko sit on top of the mango slices, and mayo is drizzled over the entire masterpiece. Definitely one of my favourites on this list!

P.S. Do say hi to the friendly sushi chef!

Kinsa Sushi

We tried the popular Salmon Mentai Maki ($16.80), which has crabmeat and cucumber topped with aburi salmon mentai, and ikura. 

The coolest part of this maki is not that it has a Healthier Choice symbol, or that it is delivered to you by a robot called Techi, but that it has PURPLE rice!

Purple rice has loads of health benefits. It is a source of iron, which helps the body to metabolise proteins and prevent anaemia.

Though it is a healthier choice, taste is definitely not compromised. I enjoyed the extra bite that the purple rice provided, and they were generous with the crabmeat and cucumber.

Koh Sushi Grill and Bar

This is one of the hottest makis in Singapore. There are 2 ‘generations’ of the Shiok Maki – the original with unagi and avocado and the ‘2nd generation’ with fried ebi and wakame. Everyone gets to order their favourites here. We tried the original ($16.80), which had firm yet tender slices of unagi and avocado nestled together within the rice rolls. The lightly seared salmon pieces were placed on top, along with a generous portion of tobiko for extra crunch.

To complete the whole package, the entire maki is drenched with their special sauce that tastes like a cross between mentaiko and mayo. Doesn’t sound particularly appetising, but the sauce is REALLY shiok. It is creamy and savoury-sweet, the perfect accompaniment to the maki.

By the way, each maki roll is made to order here. We could take apart the warm individual rice grains easily. It’s definitely not the cold, pre-made Japanese sushi rolls. Shiok!

Makisan

The Maki Lemak is a Ramadan Special by Maki-San, a go-to maki for students and working adults alike. A thin egg wrap holds Japanese white rice, boiled egg, shredded cucumber, roasted peanuts, anchovies, tempura otak, and roasted dessicated coconut. The Shiok Sambal, Makisan’s special sauce of the month, brings the ingredients together.

Although it does not exactly remind us of Nasi Lemak, fans of rojak will appreciate the thick and nutty sauce.

The individual ingredients and the Maki Lemak will be available till 31st July 2017.

Tanuki Raw

Perhaps you’d want to give their makis a try the next time you’re at Tanuki Raw! Unlike the other makis which come in 6-8 pieces, Tanuki Raw’s Golden Kani Maki ($18.90) comes in 4 huge pieces. Each piece features deep-fried house-seasoned soft shell crab, fresh snow crab, cucumber and crispy mozzarella. It is then garnished with toasted seaweed and doused with golden salted duck egg hollandaise sauce.

I thought that the portion of crab was great, and the soft shell crab was crispy but not greasy. The rice could use some work though. 

Standing Sushi Bar

After hearing my friends rave about this place, I decided to try one of their signature makis, Under The Sea ($18.90). Think torched scallop with mentaiko sauce on crab stick, avocado and cucumber.

The scallop is lightly seared, and the rice coated evenly with tobiko. Mayo was included to prevent the insides from getting too dry, but I felt that it was not needed because the mentaiko sauce was sufficiently creamy..

They have 50% off all signature rolls on Wednesdays, which means getting a cheap fix of maki rolls! The Rockstar Roll ($16.90) which has a fried mozzarella cheese centre with torched salmon and mentaiko sauce is something I would consider returning for.

*Other branches : Raffles Place and Singapore Art Museum (with different opening hours)

Our favourite Maki was the Dynamite Maki from Senmi Sushi! Its a good alternative for our friends who prefer meat over seafood. However, if you’re looking for a maki with no frills, Japanese Curry Express would be your best bet with their affordable yet scrumptious makis.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visit and paid its own meal at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news in Singapore! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the stalls listed above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!