- 01
Rinse the rice several times to extract as much starch as possible, then soak it in water for at least half an hour. Use a wet cloth to softly wipe the kombu, making sure not to remove the white powdery material on the surface.
- 02
Cook the rice in a rice cooker, adding the amount of water required (look for the marks on your machine). If you are cooking the rice in a covered pot, you will need just over half a liter of water. Throw in some dried kelp for extra flavor.
- 03
Mix rice vinegar, salt, and sugar in a small pan and bring to a boil over a medium-high flame, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Leave to cool.
- 04
Transfer the cooked rice into a dampened flat-bottomed dish, add the sushi vinegar, and mix lightly. Place a wet cloth over the dish and set aside.
- 05
To make hosomaki, cut both ends of the cucumber, then cut it lengthwise in half and repeat the process 2 more times, removing the seeds – you should end up with 8 strips.
- 06
After slicing the tuna into ¼ - ½ " pieces, cut those pieces into ¼ - ½ " thick long strips.
- 07
Season natto with some soy sauce or the seasoning included in the package, then mix until gooey.
- 08
In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup (60 ml) water and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar. Dipping your hands into this vinegared water stops the rice from sticking.
- 09
Halve the longer side of the rectangular seaweed. Shiny side down, place the half sheet on the bamboo sushi mat, the longer side of the sheet parallel with the side of the mat nearest to you. Leave 3-4 slats visible on this nearest side.
- 10
Moisten the measuring cup with vinegared water and scoop a mere ½ cup into your wet hand. After placing the rice on the left-center of the nori sheet, spread it across, leaving a 1" (2.5 cm) space along the top edge. Next, place one filling in the middle of the rice and, holding it down with your fingers, roll the sushi over the filling, landing at the edge of the rice layer. Lightly shape and tighten the roll through the mat. After removing the mat, roll the sushi once more to seal the edge of the seaweed.
- 11
Cut the roll into 6 parts, moistening the knife with a damp cloth perpetually. Serve with condiments.