【Reading】れいんぼーろーる

【English Name】Rainbow roll

The rainbow roll is a leading example of inventive rolled sushi (uramaki) that originated in the United States. Based on the California roll, it has several kinds of sashimi arranged colorfully on the outside, and was named because its appearance evokes a rainbow.

A typical composition is an inside-out (uramaki) style with imitation crab (or crab meat), avocado, and cucumber rolled inside and vinegared rice on the outside. On top of that, thin slices of tuna, salmon, yellowtail (hamachi), shrimp, avocado, and so on are placed alternately to create rainbow-like coloring. It may be finished with a scattering of flying-fish roe (tobiko) or sesame.

A characteristic of the flavor is that several kinds of seafood can be enjoyed at once. The umami of the lean red meat, the fattiness of the salmon, the light delicacy of the white fish, and the sweetness of the shrimp change with each piece, while the creaminess of the avocado ties the whole together.

It spread at sushi restaurants in North America from the 1980s onward and is now a standard menu item at overseas sushi restaurants. Within Japan, too, it is increasingly offered at conveyor-belt sushi chains and creative sushi restaurants. Because of its showy appearance, it is also popular at parties and special occasions.