Sushi Means Raw Fish

Sushi does not mean raw fish; it refers to the rice. The word sushi describes the seasoned, vinegared rice that is the actual heart of the dish, and the term is thought to relate to its sour, vinegared taste. That rice can be topped or rolled with all sorts of things, including cooked seafood, egg, tofu, vegetables, or no fish at all, and it is still sushi. Plain raw fish served on its own, with no rice, is not sushi at all; that is sashimi. So a cucumber roll is sushi, and a plate of raw tuna slices is not. The confusion is understandable, because a lot of popular sushi does feature raw fish, but the defining ingredient is the rice, not the fish, and certainly not its rawness. So you can be a sushi fan and a raw-fish avoider at the same time, with a clear conscience and a plate of cooked or vegetarian rolls. The rice is the point.