It is made with vinegared rice, known as "shari" or "sushi-meshi," combined with various ingredients, including raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, and sometimes tropical fruits. The term "sushi" encompasses a wide variety of styles and preparations, each with its distinct characteristics. 

Most Popular Types of Sushi

Nigiri:

Description: Nigiri is a hand-pressed sushi consisting of a small ball of vinegared rice topped with a slice of raw or cooked fish or seafood. It is often garnished with a small amount of wasabi and sometimes bound together with a thin strip of nori (seaweed).

Popular Toppings: Tuna (maguro), salmon (sake), shrimp (ebi), eel (unagi), and octopus (tako).

Sashimi:

Description: While not technically sushi since it does not include rice, sashimi is often served alongside sushi. It consists of thinly sliced raw fish or seafood served without rice, typically accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

Popular Varieties: Tuna, salmon, yellowtail (hamachi), scallop (hotate), and squid (ika).

Maki:

Description: Maki sushi, or makizushi, is rolled sushi made by spreading vinegared rice on a sheet of nori, adding fillings, and rolling it into a cylinder using a bamboo mat (makisu). The roll is then sliced into bite-sized pieces.

Varieties:

Hosomaki: Thin rolls with a single filling, such as cucumber (kappa maki) or tuna (tekka maki).

Futomaki: Thick rolls with multiple fillings, often including vegetables and fish.

Uramaki: Inside-out rolls with rice on the outside and nori on the inside, such as the California roll.

Temaki:

Description: Temaki, or hand rolls, are cone-shaped pieces of nori filled with sushi rice, fish, vegetables, and other ingredients. They are meant to be eaten with the hands and offer a more casual sushi experience.

Popular Fillings: Crab (kani), avocado, cucumber, and spicy tuna.

Chirashi:

Description: Chirashi sushi, or chirashizushi, is a "scattered" sushi where a bowl of vinegared rice is topped with a variety of raw fish, vegetables, and garnishes. It is often enjoyed as a more relaxed and varied way to enjoy sushi ingredients.

Common Toppings: Sashimi-grade fish, tamago (sweet egg omelet), and pickled vegetables.

Ingredients and Accompaniments

Rice: The foundation of sushi is short-grain Japanese rice seasoned with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.

Nori: Dried seaweed sheets used to wrap rolls or as a garnish.

Fish and Seafood: Sashimi-grade fish such as tuna, salmon, and yellowtail, as well as other seafood like shrimp, squid, and eel.

Vegetables: Common vegetables include cucumber, avocado, and pickled daikon radish.

Condiments: Wasabi, soy sauce, and pickled ginger (gari) are traditional accompaniments to sushi.

Etiquette and Enjoyment

Sushi is often enjoyed with chopsticks or by hand, depending on the type. It's customary to dip the fish side of nigiri lightly into soy sauce rather than the rice to avoid overpowering the delicate flavors and causing the rice to fall apart. Pickled ginger is eaten between different types of sushi to cleanse the palate.

Sushi is not just a dish but an art form that reflects the skill, precision, and creativity of the sushi chef. Whether enjoyed in a high-end sushi restaurant or a casual eatery, sushi offers a culinary experience that delights the senses with its fresh ingredients, intricate preparations, and exquisite presentations.