While both sushi and sashimi are traditional Japanese dishes featuring raw fish, they differ in their preparation and presentation:
Sushi
Sushi is a dish that consists of vinegared rice combined with various ingredients such as seafood (including raw or cooked fish), vegetables, and sometimes even egg. The rice acts as the base and is usually seasoned with sugar, salt, and vinegar.
The ingredients are then placed on top of or rolled within the rice using seaweed sheets (nori) or served as individual pieces called nigiri. Sushi can be enjoyed with accompaniments like soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Sashimi
In contrast to sushi, sashimi refers specifically to thin slices of raw fish or seafood served without any rice. It showcases the pure flavors and textures of the fish itself. Freshness is key in sashimi since the focus lies solely on the quality of the raw ingredient. Like sushi, sashimi may be accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for added flavor.