By Bryanna SantosIn this story:
We all have our go-to sushi order. Maybe it’s spicy tuna. Maybe it’s avocado-forward and drizzled with eel sauce. But have you ever wondered how to make your own sushi like the pros? With sushi-making classes in NYC, sushi isn’t just something you order — it’s something you can learn, laugh through, and happily eat at the end of the night. And once you try it in a hands-on workshop with your friends, your usual takeout order may never feel quite the same.
In a sushi-making class, you won’t just learn how to roll, you’ll also dive into the different types of sushi. So the next time you’re dining at Michelin-starred NYC spots like Nobu 57 or grabbing dinner at your local mom-and-pop sushi counter, you’ll confidently know your maki from your nigiri.
Curious which styles are the most fun to make with friends on your next night out? Read on for five different types of sushi that are as satisfying to make as they are to eat, each with its own unique process and taste. You can’t go wrong with any!
Roll Maki sushi like a pro
Maki is where most sushi journeys begin. The word “maki” literally means “to roll,” which makes it the perfect starting point for sushi making. This is the classic thin roll — the one that immediately looks like “real sushi.” In a hands-on workshop, maki is fantastic for beginners who want to get a traditional sushi-making experience. You spread pillowy rice over crisp seaweed, line up your fillings, and use a bamboo mat to roll everything together. Once you feel that “click” when the mat rolls over, you’ll want to prepare your own sushi all the time.
A maki sushi-making class teaches the fundamentals without feeling overwhelming, and it’s easy to chat, laugh, and peek at your friends’ creations while you work. Pair these rolls with something light and refreshing, like a cold Japanese lager or a citrusy yuzu soda, and suddenly the class feels more like a party than a lesson.
Maki class pick:
In this Forest Hills hand-rolled sushi making class, you can request a private class for you and your friends for an exciting, intimate night out! Discover how to make your own maki rolls, plus learn how to distinguish the different types of sushi. Next time you go out to order, you’ll be the expert.
Sushi class vibe: Social and made for chatting
This is a pretty basic roll, so while you learn the fundamentals, you can still chat away with your friends while rolling your maki.
Maki wow factor: Low-fuss, high payoff
Simple, but still impressive. This is super beginner-friendly, but the results look straight out of a restaurant.
Make inside-out sushi in a uramaki class
Uramaki is where things start to feel fancy, in the best way. This is the inside-out roll style most people recognize from colorful menus, with rice on the outside and toppings that sparkle with sesame seeds or fish roe. It looks impressive, but learning it in a sushi class in NYC makes the whole process much more accessible. The key moment here is the rice flip, and once an instructor shows you how to keep everything from sticking to your hands and your mat, you’ll ace it.
This style was originally created to help people who were hesitant about seaweed ease into sushi, which makes it perfect for sushi workshops where everyone’s comfort level is a little different. Uramaki encourages you to think about color, contrast, and presentation. A crisp ginger mocktail or a chilled sake spritz pairs beautifully with these bold, flavor-forward rolls.
Uramaki class pick:
Join Red Inside Culinary in Greenwich Village for their handmade sushi rolls class where you will make an assortment of urmaki including spicy tuna, Alaskan rolls, and your classic California roll. Three rolls in one class? Yes, please.
Sushi class vibe: Playful with a perfect snapshot moment
Requires a little more attention, but you can definitely still socialize. Urakami is colorful, so this makes for the perfect Instagram shot.
Uramaki wow factor: Colorful and crowd-pleasing
This is a “Wait, you made that?” moment. No shame in flexing your skills after making this.
Craft showstopping nigiri
Nigiri is the quiet showstopper of the sushi world. Simple, elegant, this hand-pressed style feels like a true level-up. There’s no rolling here, just warm rice shaped gently in your palms and topped with buttery slices of fish. The focus is on touch, learning how to form rice that holds together without being too dense or squished.
In traditional sushi training, chefs can spend years perfecting this single bite. In a NYC workshop setting, the intimidation melts away. With encouraging guidance, you quickly understand the “hand-hug” technique and how to perfectly assemble your nigiri. Nigiri naturally slows the pace of the room; people get quieter, more focused, but still connected. A dry sake or classic green tea lets the flavors shine and completes the experience.
Nigiri class pick:
Learn more about Japan's history and rich culture while enjoying nigiri and sashimi with this Japanese sushi-making class in Manhattan. Create melt-in-your-mouth sushi using traditional sushi-making techniques and leave with the skills to impress your next dinner party.
Sushi class vibe: Calm and focused
This one requires a little more concentration, but you’ll feel like you’re learning as the chefs did, and that makes it more impressive.
Runs regularly
Greenwich Village
1 to 16 guests
$135 - $145
8 years in business
9k followers
Nigiri wow factor: An impressive classic
If the chef flexes making this type of sushi, you absolutely get to as well. Nigiri can take chefs years to master, and you attempted it in an hour or two!
Throw a temaki party and make hand rolls
If any sushi style feels made for groups, it’s temaki! These hand rolls are casual, interactive, and very forgiving. Instead of rolling tightly, you fold the seaweed into a cone, almost like a bouquet, and fill it with rice, fish, vegetables, and crunch. No two temaki ever look the same, and that’s part of the charm.
Temaki is meant to be eaten with your hands, so it naturally breaks down formality. People stand, move around, and build rolls based on what they want rather than rules. It’s sushi that feels like a dinner party. Bold flavors work especially well here, so pairing temaki with something playful like wine or a citrus-forward cocktail keeps the energy light.
Temaki class pick:
Request a private class and make a temaki trio including spicy tuna with shiso, miso-marinated eggplant, and salmon with pickled daikon with this omakase style sushi class in Park Slope. Making temaki is plenty social when you swap add-ins and ideas, so make it more of a party with your favorite company.
Sushi class vibe: Interactive and casual
Making temaki offers tons of room for socializing. It’s made to be eaten with your hands, so no need for chopsticks. You can focus on having fun instead of sitting still with a plate.
Temaki wow factor: Creative and effortless
You have a lot of space for creativity here, so you can swap rolls with each other and taste test them. Either way, you made the ultimate sushi hand snack.
Assemble battleship sushi in a gunkan class
Gunkan sushi is small but mighty. Often called “battleship sushi,” this style features an oval of rice wrapped with a tall band of seaweed, creating a little vessel that holds softer, more luxurious toppings. Think spicy tuna or creamy scallops piled high.
In a workshop setting, gunkan is where people really start to feel creative. You shape the rice by hand, wrap it snugly with crisp nori, and then build upward instead of inward. Making gunkan is especially fun in a group. Everyone ends up experimenting with textures and flavors, comparing toppings, and sneaking bites of each other’s creations. Pair gunkan with something clean and crisp, like chilled sake or sparkling water with citrus, to let those rich flavors shine.
Gunkan class pick:
Discover how to make different types of sushi in this Lower East Side norimaki sushi making class where you will learn how to craft norimaki-style sushi, including gunkan. A friendly and encouraging instructor will show you the ingredients, tools, and techniques needed to replicate these rolls at home!
Sushi class vibe: Collaborative and creative
Create your own sushi, swap ideas and toppings with your group, and make this an even more social experience!
Gunkan wow factor: Small but mighty impressive
You and your partner or group will be amazed at how your gunkan turned out. It served like a little ship, making it all the more whimsical!
Once you experience making different types of sushi in a hands-on workshop setting, you’ll understand why it’s so much more exciting than a sit-down restaurant. Learning sushi side by side with friends, guided by an expert, turns what can feel intimidating into something relaxed, social, and genuinely fun. You’re not just following instructions, you’re rolling, shaping, tasting, and laughing your way through the process, surrounded by great company.
Sushi making is the ultimate group project when you're looking for a hands-on night out in the city. It’s tactile, creative, and social. Whether you’re planning a birthday hang, a date night, or just looking for genuinely fun things to do in NYC, a sushi-focused cooking class hits that sweet spot between learning and social hour. By the end of a class, sushi making feels more approachable, and you walk away with skills you’ll actually use. Join a sushi-making class in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens and explore how sushi-making is one of the most exciting NYC activities you can book. It isn’t just about learning a new recipe — it’s about sharing a memorable night out with a loved one or friends while making something delicious.
