Gunkan Maki(gunkanmaki)

Gunkan maki, also known as “battleship sushi”, is a popular variety of sushi characterized by its unique shape and method of preparation. This type of sushi consists of an oval-shaped lump of sushi rice wrapped in a strip of nori (dried seaweed leaves). The nori strip protrudes above the rice and forms a kind of boat, with the upper edge serving as a holder for a variety of toppings. Typically, loose or fine ingredients that would not hold up well on regular sushi pieces, such as fish roe, finely chopped tuna, or sea urchins, are stuffed into the “hull”.

The kanji 軍艦巻 and 軍艦巻き (gunkanmaki) are made up of several elements that together clarify the meaning and shape of this specific type of sushi. The first kanji 軍(ぐん) (gun) means “military” or “army”, the second kanji 艦(かん) (kan) stands for “ship” or “warship”, and the third kanji 巻(まき) (maki) means “roll” or “wrap”. Translated together, 軍艦巻 therefore means “warship roll”, alluding to the unique shape of this sushi variant, which resembles a battleship.