Nigiri vs. Sashimi vs. Rolls — What's the Difference?

Nigiri is a slice of fish pressed over a small mound of seasoned rice. It's the most direct way to taste a single fish — no distractions, no sauces (typically), just fish quality on display. Nigiri is served in pairs (2 pieces per order at Sushi Brokers).

Sashimi is raw fish without rice. It's purely about the fish — texture, freshness, and flavor. Because there's no rice or other ingredients to balance the experience, sashimi is the purest test of fish quality at any restaurant.

Rolls (maki) are vinegared rice and fillings wrapped in seaweed (nori) and sliced. They're the most versatile format — cooked or raw, simple or complex. The vast majority of what most Americans think of as "sushi" is rolls.

Order nigiri when you want to taste individual fish clearly — it's the best format for comparing tuna vs. salmon vs. yellowtail. Order sashimi when you're very comfortable with raw fish and want to assess quality directly. It's also lower carb if that matters to you.

Order rolls when you want variety, combination flavors, cooked options, or the full sushi experience. Rolls are the best format for beginners and the most approachable entry point. Our beginner's guide to sushi recommends starting with rolls before moving to nigiri or sashimi.

Sushi Brokers is known for its specialty rolls — creative combinations that go beyond standard maki into something distinctly our own. The Chimichanga Roll (tempura-battered), the Lollipop Roll (cucumber-wrapped), and the Surf N Turf (lobster + seared steak) are examples of rolls that don't exist in the same form anywhere else.

We also offer nigiri (2 pieces per order, 20 fish options) and sashimi (5 pieces per order). If you want to compare fish quality directly, our nigiri is an excellent test — fresh fish sourced daily across all three locations. The full Sushi Brokers menu guide covers every category in detail.

From a value perspective, rolls offer the most food per dollar at Sushi Brokers. Specialty rolls at $12–16 include 8+ pieces with multiple premium ingredients. Sashimi and nigiri are priced per piece/order and better for comparing fish quality than maximizing meal value.

During happy hour, rolls are discounted further — 18+ rolls included. It's the best format for exploring the menu at accessible prices. For the complete value picture across our Valley locations, see our guide to the best sushi in Scottsdale for price.