Sushi Vinegar vs Rice Vinegar: What’s the Difference?

Jun, 27 , 25 Oishii Kit Admin

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the vinegar aisle, scratching your head while clutching a bag of sushi rice, you’re not alone. “Do I need rice vinegar or sushi vinegar for sushi?” is one of the most common beginner questions—and it’s easy to see why.

Below is a clear, relaxed guide to what each vinegar is, how they’re used, and how you can make your own sushi vinegar if you only have plain rice vinegar on hand.

What is rice vinegar?

Rice vinegar (sometimes labelled as “rice wine vinegar”) is made by fermenting rice into alcohol, then acidifying it to become a mild, slightly sweet vinegar. It’s less harsh than white vinegar and less fruity than apple cider vinegar, making it perfect for pickles, salad dressings, and, of course, sushi.

What is sushi vinegar?

Sushi vinegar is pre-seasoned rice vinegar—it has sugar and salt already mixed in, ready to pour directly onto hot rice. It’s specifically balanced to season sushi rice, giving it that subtle sweet-salty tang and glossy texture you recognise from restaurant sushi.

Think of it like this:

Rice vinegar = base ingredient.
Sushi vinegar = rice vinegar + sugar + salt, ready to use.

Why does sushi rice need vinegar?

Sushi literally means “sour rice” in Japanese, as rice was originally fermented with vinegar as a preservation method. The vinegar:
✅ Adds mild tang to balance fish and fillings
✅ Seasons the rice so it isn’t bland
✅ Helps preserve the rice for a few hours at room temperature

Without it, you’re left with plain sticky rice rather than the subtly flavourful base of sushi rolls.

Can I make sushi vinegar at home?

Absolutely. If you’ve only got plain rice vinegar, you can quickly turn it into sushi vinegar. Here’s a standard ratio you can use for 130 g uncooked rice (makes 4 rolls):

DIY Sushi Vinegar:

26 ml rice vinegar
8 g sugar (~1 tsp)
1 g salt (~¼ tsp)

Warm gently in a small saucepan until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool before pouring over your cooked rice.

Should I buy sushi vinegar or plain rice vinegar?

If you…	Best choice
Want simplicity and convenience	Buy sushi vinegar
Prefer control over sweetness/saltiness	Buy plain rice vinegar
Plan to use vinegar for other cooking too	Buy plain rice vinegar
Only making sushi occasionally	Sushi vinegar is handy

Storage tips

Rice vinegar: Keep in a cool, dark cupboard; lasts up to a year.
Sushi vinegar: Same as above, but give it a quick shake before using as sugar can settle.

If you’re using an Oishii Kits Starter Sushi Kit, your pre-mixed sushi vinegar is already portioned perfectly—just pour, fold and cool.

Quick FAQs

Can I use white vinegar for sushi rice?
Technically, yes, but it’s much harsher and lacks the subtle sweetness of rice vinegar. If using, add extra sugar.

Is sushi vinegar gluten-free?
Most are, but check labels, especially with seasoned vinegars that may include soy sauce.

How much sushi vinegar should I use?
About 35 ml of sushi vinegar per 130 g uncooked rice (400 g cooked rice) for 4 rolls.

The bottom line

Rice vinegar is a versatile pantry staple.
Sushi vinegar is rice vinegar pre-seasoned for your rolls.

Whichever you choose, getting your rice seasoned properly is the secret to sushi that tastes as good as it looks.

Happy rolling, and if you try our kit, let us know how your rice turned out @oishiikits!

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