Also, western “Sushi” is not the same thing as Japanese Sushi.

What Japanese people would consider “normal” Sushi we call Nigiri. These items will make up the majority of consumed items in Japan, where here we would consume primarily rolls.

They do not have these jam packed inside out rolls we see here, the only rolls you’ll get in Japan are maki (one or two ingredient, very thin rolls, with the nori on the outside) and you usually only get 2 or 4 pieces at a time for these.

Dammit, now I want to get back to Japan for some good food again.

In my experience, the jam-packed, inside-out, sauce-drenched rolls are characteristic of restaurant chains and shopping districts in the west. If you’re near a big city, chances are there are plenty of small, independent restaurants that make more traditional nigiri and maki. These are the only ones I ever seek out, so what they serve is what I consider “normal” sushi.

Normal is not defined as what you seek out, but what’s most common in the area.

I can only think of one Nigiri only place, and it’s a specialty place in Vancouver in an absolute sea of 600 (this is around the actual number) sushi restaurants across the metro which do serve rolls.

If you go to Osaka, it’s the exact opposite, 600 nigiri places to 1 roll place.