Sushi rolls are the most popular form of sushi. Japanese and American restaurants serve two types of sushi to their patrons.

Seaweed called nori on outside of sushi is one variety of sushi rolls. The second type has nori inside the roll.

Whether or not the nori is on the outside or inside of the roll can dramatically change the flavor and texture of the sushi. Nori enthusiasts often prefer seaweed on the outside of their sushi rolls.

This style of sushi roll is called futomaki. Sushi rolls that have nori inside them are called uramaki. Futomaki is preferred to uramaki as it is more popular and and traditional in form.

A sushi restaurant or sushi bar, even a grocery store, would supply you the futomaki variant. Even though futomaki is vegetarian it is served with toppings of fish eggs.

Generally futomaki is cut into pieces and then served. However, on certain Japanese festivals it is offered as a roll. Since Japanese prefer to eat with their fingers, uramaki is not a preferred choice. As uramaki is has a tendency to be sticky and it falls apart under pressure, it is difficult to eat it either with fingers or chopsticks.

A uramaki sushi roll, on the other hand, is non-vegetarian in nature and is served with sesame or fish egg toppings. Uramaki has primarily originated in North America since its natives are not fond of coating on futomaki.

Hosomaki stands out in the entire sushi rolls family. Like futomaki, hosomaki is wrapped with the nori on the outside of the roll.

There are four primary types of hosomaki. These include Kappamaki, Tekkamaki, Negitoromaki and Tsunamayomaki.

- Kappamaki that has cucumber as its main ingredient is said to cleanse the palate after eating raw fish dishes and its accompaniments.

- The red color of tuna fish gives tekkamaki its name and base ingredient.

- Negitoromaki is filled with tuna and scallions. Fatty tuna is commonly used in this type of sushi roll.

- Lastly Tsunamayomaki has canned tuna and mayonnaise in it. This is considered a home style sushi, and can be made by virtually anyone easily.