 A selection of makisu mats with bamboo sticks of different thicknesses The Makisu (Japanese: 巻す) is a mat made of long bamboo strips woven together with a cotton string used in the preparation and presentation of Japanese food. The main use of the mat is to make 巻き寿司 makizushi (rolled sushi), but the mat may also be used to shape other soft materials such as an omelet or to squeeze out excess liquid.
The makisu usually have a size of 25x25cm, although this may vary. There are two different variations in use, one type with thick bamboo strips and another type with thin bamboo strips. Experts consider the mat with thick strips more versatile, whereas the mat with thin strips is specialized for makizushi.
Similar to the zaru, the mats should be allowed to dry well after use and stored in a dry place to extend the lifespan of the tool and to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungi on the mat. Some cooks also cover the makisu with plastic foil to reduce the cleaning effort after use. This is especially necessary for producing 裏巻 (うらまき) uramaki, a type of 巻き寿司 (maki sushi) with the rice on the outside.
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