Roll vs. Hand Roll — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 16, 2023
A roll is a cylindrical sushi item cut into pieces, while a hand roll is a cone-shaped sushi wrapped in seaweed and eaten with hands.
Difference Between Roll and Hand Roll
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In the realm of sushi, a roll typically refers to maki sushi, where rice, fillings, and sometimes nori (seaweed) are rolled into a cylindrical shape and then cut into bite-sized pieces. These pieces are usually consumed using chopsticks and are often presented beautifully on a plate. The artistry of a sushi chef can truly shine in crafting intricate and flavorful rolls.
A hand roll, known as temaki sushi, is different in its presentation and consumption method. It's sushi ingredients wrapped in a cone-shaped piece of nori, and it's designed to be eaten with one's hands. The experience of eating a hand roll is a bit more personal and interactive, as the sushi chef often hands it directly to the diner, and it's consumed immediately to enjoy the crispiness of the nori.
Though both roll and hand roll encompass the essential elements of sushi – rice, nori, and various fillings – they offer distinct experiences. A roll might be shared among a group, allowing everyone to taste different flavors, while a hand roll is more individualistic, providing a single serving for the diner.
Choosing between a roll and a hand roll can often boil down to personal preference. Some diners enjoy the convenience and textural contrast of a freshly made hand roll, while others prefer the familiar and shareable format of the sliced roll.
Regardless of preference, both roll and hand roll capture the essence of sushi – a delightful combination of flavor, texture, and presentation that showcases the skill of the sushi chef and the freshness of the ingredients.
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Comparison Chart
Shape
Cylindrical, sliced into pieces.
Cone-shaped, whole.
Eating Method
Typically with chopsticks.
With hands.
Presentation
Arranged on a plate.
Handed directly to the diner.
Sharing Capability
Easily shared among multiple people.
Typically for individual consumption.
Texture of Nori
Might soften over time.
Consumed immediately for crispness.
Compare with Definitions
Roll
A cylindrical sushi made of rice, fillings, and often wrapped in seaweed, then cut into pieces.
I ordered a spicy tuna roll for lunch.
Hand Roll
A cone-shaped sushi consisting of rice, fillings, and wrapped in seaweed, eaten with hands.
He savored every bite of his salmon hand roll.
Roll
A small piece of baked bread, usually round.
She buttered her dinner roll before eating.
Hand Roll
Typically consumed immediately after being made to maintain the crispness of the seaweed.
The chef handed me a fresh hand roll, and the nori was perfectly crispy.
Roll
To move by turning over and over on an axis.
The ball began to roll down the hill.
Hand Roll
Emphasizes the texture contrast between the ingredients and the seaweed.
The freshness of the tuna in my hand roll was highlighted by the crunchy nori.
Roll
A list or register, typically one recording attendance.
His name was struck off the roll of members.
Hand Roll
Sushi designed for individual consumption, often not shared.
I love the personalized experience of eating a hand roll.
Roll
To move forward along a surface by revolving on an axis or by repeatedly turning over.
Hand Roll
A casual and interactive sushi eating experience.
At the sushi bar, we each had our own hand roll made to order.
Roll
To travel or be moved on wheels or rollers
Rolled down the sidewalk on their scooters.
Roll
To travel around; wander
Roll from town to town.
Roll
To travel or be carried in a vehicle.
Roll
To be carried on a stream
The logs rolled down the cascading river.
Roll
To start to move or operate
The press wouldn't roll.
Roll
To work or succeed in a sustained way; gain momentum
The political campaign finally began to roll.
Roll
To go by; elapse
The days rolled along.
Roll
To recur. Often used with around
Summer has rolled around again.
Roll
To move in a periodic revolution, as a planet in its orbit.
Roll
To turn over and over
The puppy rolled in the mud.
Roll
To shift the gaze usually quickly and continually
The child's eyes rolled with fright.
Roll
To turn around or revolve on an axis.
Roll
To move or advance with a rising and falling motion; undulate
The waves rolled toward shore.
Roll
To extend or appear to extend in gentle rises and falls
The dunes roll to the sea.
Roll
To move or rock from side to side
The ship pitched and rolled in heavy seas.
Roll
To walk with a swaying, unsteady motion.
Roll
(Slang) To experience periodic rushes after taking an intoxicating drug, especially MDMA.
Roll
To take the shape of a ball or cylinder
Yarn rolls easily.
Roll
To become flattened by pressure applied by a roller.
Roll
To make a deep, prolonged, surging sound
Thunder rolled in the distance.
Roll
To make a sustained trilling sound, as certain birds do.
Roll
To beat a drum in a continuous series of short blows.
Roll
To pour, flow, or move in a continual stream
Tourists rolling into the city.
Roll
To enjoy ample amounts
Rolled in the money.
Roll
To cause to move forward along a surface by revolving on an axis or by repeatedly turning over.
Roll
To move or push along on wheels or rollers
Rolled the plane out of the hangar.
Roll
To impel or send onward in a steady, swelling motion
The sea rolls its waves onto the sand.
Roll
To impart a swaying, rocking motion to
Heavy seas rolled the ship.
Roll
To turn around or partly turn around; rotate
Rolled his head toward the door.
Roll
To cause to begin moving or operating
Roll the cameras.
Roll the presses.
Roll
To extend or lay out
Rolled out a long rope.
Roll
To pronounce or utter with a trill
You must roll your r's in Spanish.
Roll
To utter or emit in full, swelling tones.
Roll
To beat (a drum) with a continuous series of short blows.
Roll
To wrap (something) round and round upon itself or around something else. Often used with up
Roll up a poster.
Roll
To envelop or enfold in a covering
Roll dirty laundry in a sheet.
Roll
To make by shaping into a ball or cylinder
Roll a cigarette.
Roll
To spread, compress, or flatten by applying pressure with a roller
Roll pastry dough.
Roll
(Printing) To apply ink to (type) with a roller or rollers.
Roll
(Games) To throw (dice), as in craps.
Roll
(Slang) To rob (a drunken, sleeping, or otherwise helpless person).
Roll
The act or an instance of rolling.
Roll
Something rolled up
A roll of tape.
Roll
A quantity, as of cloth or wallpaper, rolled into a cylinder and often considered as a unit of measure.
Roll
A piece of parchment or paper that may be or is rolled up; a scroll.
Roll
A register or a catalogue.
Roll
A list of names of persons belonging to a group.
Roll
A mass in cylindrical or rounded form
A roll of tobacco.
Roll
A small loaf of bread, portioned for one individual and often served as a side dish or appetizer or used to make a sandwich.
Roll
A portion of food wrapped around a filling
Cinnamon roll.
Sushi roll.
Roll
A rolling, swaying, or rocking motion.
Roll
A gentle swell or undulation of a surface
The roll of the plains.
Roll
A deep reverberation or rumble
The roll of thunder.
Roll
A rapid succession of short sounds
The roll of a drum.
Roll
A trill
The roll of his r's.
Roll
A resonant, rhythmical flow of words.
Roll
A roller, especially a cylinder on which to roll something up or with which to flatten something.
Roll
An amount of rotation around a longitudinal axis, as of an aircraft or boat.
Roll
A maneuver in which an airplane makes a single complete rotation about its longitudinal axis without changing direction or losing altitude.
Roll
(Slang) Money, especially a wad of paper money.
Roll
(transitive) To cause to revolve by turning over and over; to move by turning on an axis; to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a supporting surface.
To roll a wheel, a ball, or a barrel.
Roll
(intransitive) To turn over and over.
The child will roll on the floor.
Roll
(intransitive) To tumble in gymnastics; to do a somersault.
Roll
(transitive) To wrap (something) round on itself; to form into a spherical or cylindrical body by causing to turn over and over.
To roll a sheet of paper; to roll clay or putty into a ball.
Roll
(transitive) To bind or involve by winding, as in a bandage; to enwrap; often with up.
To roll up the map for shipping.
Roll
(intransitive) To be wound or formed into a cylinder or ball.
The cloth rolls unevenly; the snow rolls well.
Roll
(ergative) To drive or impel forward with an easy motion, as of rolling.
This river will roll its waters to the ocean.
Roll
(ergative) To utter copiously, especially with sounding words; to utter with a deep sound; — often with forth, or out.
To roll forth someone's praises; to roll out sentences.
Roll
(transitive) To press or level with a roller; to spread or form with a roll, roller, or rollers.
To roll a field;
To roll paste;
To roll steel rails.
Roll
(intransitive) To spread itself under a roller or rolling-pin.
The pastry rolls well.
Roll
(ergative) To move, or cause to be moved, upon, or by means of, rollers or small wheels.
Roll
To leave or begin a journey.
I want to get there early; let's roll.
Roll
To compete, especially with vigor.
OK guys, we're only down by two points. Let's roll!
Roll
(transitive) To beat with rapid, continuous strokes, as a drum; to sound a roll upon.
Roll
(geometry) To apply (one line or surface) to another without slipping; to bring all the parts of (one line or surface) into successive contact with another, in such a manner that at every instant the parts that have been in contact are equal.
Roll
(transitive) To turn over in one's mind; to revolve.
Roll
To behave in a certain way; to adopt a general disposition toward a situation.
I was going to kick his ass, but he wasn't worth getting all worked up over; I don't roll like that.
Roll
To throw dice.
Roll
To roll dice such that they form a given pattern or total.
If you roll doubles, you get an extra turn.
With two dice, you're more likely to roll seven than ten.
Roll
(RPG) To create a new character in a role-playing game, especially by using dice to determine properties.
I'm gonna go and roll a new shaman tonight.
Roll
To generate a random number.
Roll
To rotate about the fore-and-aft axis, causing its sides to go up and down. Compare pitch.
Roll
To travel by sailing.
Roll
(transitive) To beat up; to assault.
Roll
To cause to betray secrets or to testify for the prosecution.
The feds rolled him by giving him a free pass for most of what he'd done.
Roll
To betray secrets.
He rolled on those guys after being in jail two days.
Roll
To be under the influence of MDMA (a psychedelic stimulant, also known as ecstasy).
Roll
To (cause to) film.
The cameras are rolling.
It's time to roll the cameras.
Roll
To slip past (a defender) with the ball.
Roll
(intransitive) To have a rolling aspect.
The hills rolled on
Roll
To perform a periodical revolution; to move onward as with a revolution.
The years roll on.
Roll
(intransitive) To move, like waves or billows, with alternate swell and depression.
Roll
To move and cause an effect on someone
Roll
(intransitive) To make a loud or heavy rumbling noise.
The thunder rolled and the lightning flashed.
Roll
(transitive) To utter with an alveolar trill.
Many languages roll their r's.
Roll
To enrobe in toilet-paper (as a prank or spectacle).
The kids rolled the principal's house and yard.
Roll
(transitive) To create a customized version of.
Roll
2010, page 208, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Io7hHlVN3qQC&pg=PA208&dq=%22roll%22]
Roll
To engage in sparring in the context of jujitsu or other grappling disciplines.
Roll
To load ocean freight cargo onto a vessel other than the one it was meant to sail on.
Containers will be rolled to another mother vessel.
Roll
The act or result of rolling, or state of being rolled.
The roll of a ball
Look at the roll of the waves.
The roll of her eyes
Roll
A forward or backward roll in gymnastics; going head over heels. A tumble.
Roll
Something which rolls.
Roll
A heavy cylinder used to break clods.
Roll
One of a set of revolving cylinders, or rollers, between which metal is pressed, formed, or smoothed, as in a rolling mill.
To pass rails through the rolls
Roll
A swagger or rolling gait.
Roll
A heavy, reverberatory sound.
Hear the roll of cannon.
There was a roll of thunder and the rain began to pour down.
Roll
The uniform beating of a drum with strokes so rapid as scarcely to be distinguished by the ear.
Roll
The oscillating movement of a nautical vessel as it rotates from side to side, about its fore-and-aft axis, causing its sides to go up and down, as distinguished from the alternate rise and fall of bow and stern called pitching; or the equivalent in an aircraft.
Roll
(nautical) The measure or extent to which a vessel rotates from side to side, about its fore-and-aft axis.
Roll
The rotation angle about the longitudinal axis.
Calculate the roll of that aircraft.
Roll
An instance of the act of rolling an aircraft through one or more complete rotations about its longitudinal axis.
The pilots entertained the spectators at the airshow by doing multiple rolls.
Roll
The act of, or total resulting from, rolling one or more dice.
Make your roll.
Whoever gets the highest roll moves first.
Roll
A winning streak of continuing luck, especially at gambling and especially in the phrase on a roll.
He is on a roll tonight.
Roll
A training match for a fighting dog.
Roll
An instance of the act of righting a canoe or kayak which has capsized, without exiting the watercraft, or being assisted.
That was a good roll.
Roll
(paddlesport) The skill of righting a canoe or kayak which has capsized, without exiting the watercraft, or being assisted.
She has a bombproof roll.
Roll
(finance) Any of various financial instruments or transactions that involve opposite positions at different expiries, "rolling" a position from one expiry to another.
Roll
That which is rolled up.
A roll of fat, of wool, paper, cloth, etc.
Roll
A document written on a piece of parchment, paper, or other materials which may be rolled up; a scroll.
Roll
An official or public document; a register; a record.
Roll
A catalogue or list, (especially) one kept for official purposes.
Several people sued the state after finding out that they'd been removed from the voter rolls for having died, despite their not actually being dead.
Roll
A quantity of cloth wound into a cylindrical form.
A roll of carpeting; a roll of ribbon
Roll
A cylindrical twist of tobacco.
Roll
A kind of shortened raised biscuit or bread, often rolled or doubled upon itself; see also bread roll.
Roll
(obsolete) A part; an office; a duty; a role.
Roll
A measure of parchments, containing five dozen.
Roll
To cause to revolve by turning over and over; to move by turning on an axis; to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a supporting surface; as, to roll a wheel, a ball, or a barrel.
Roll
To wrap round on itself; to form into a spherical or cylindrical body by causing to turn over and over; as, to roll a sheet of paper; to roll parchment; to roll clay or putty into a ball.
Roll
To bind or involve by winding, as in a bandage; to inwrap; - often with up; as, to roll up a parcel.
Roll
To drive or impel forward with an easy motion, as of rolling; as, a river rolls its waters to the ocean.
The flood of Catholic reaction was rolled over Europe.
Roll
To utter copiously, esp. with sounding words; to utter with a deep sound; - often with forth, or out; as, to roll forth some one's praises; to roll out sentences.
Who roll'd the psalm to wintry skies.
Roll
To press or level with a roller; to spread or form with a roll, roller, or rollers; as, to roll a field; to roll paste; to roll steel rails, etc.
Roll
To move, or cause to be moved, upon, or by means of, rollers or small wheels.
Roll
To beat with rapid, continuous strokes, as a drum; to sound a roll upon.
Roll
To apply (one line or surface) to another without slipping; to bring all the parts of (one line or surface) into successive contact with another, in suck manner that at every instant the parts that have been in contact are equal.
Roll
To turn over in one's mind; to revolve.
Full oft in heart he rolleth up and downThe beauty of these florins new and bright.
Roll
To move, as a curved object may, along a surface by rotation without sliding; to revolve upon an axis; to turn over and over; as, a ball or wheel rolls on the earth; a body rolls on an inclined plane.
And her foot, look you, is fixed upon a spherical stone, which rolls, and rolls, and rolls.
Roll
To move on wheels; as, the carriage rolls along the street.
Roll
To be wound or formed into a cylinder or ball; as, the cloth rolls unevenly; the snow rolls well.
Roll
To fall or tumble; - with over; as, a stream rolls over a precipice.
Roll
To perform a periodical revolution; to move onward as with a revolution; as, the rolling year; ages roll away.
Roll
To turn; to move circularly.
And his red eyeballs roll with living fire.
Roll
To move, as waves or billows, with alternate swell and depression.
What different sorrows did within thee roll.
Roll
To incline first to one side, then to the other; to rock; as, there is a great difference in ships about rolling; in a general semse, to be tossed about.
Twice ten tempestuous nights I rolled.
Roll
To turn over, or from side to side, while lying down; to wallow; as, a horse rolls.
Roll
To spread under a roller or rolling-pin; as, the paste rolls well.
Roll
To beat a drum with strokes so rapid that they can scarcely be distinguished by the ear.
Roll
To make a loud or heavy rumbling noise; as, the thunder rolls.
Man shall not suffer his wife go roll about.
Roll
The act of rolling, or state of being rolled; as, the roll of a ball; the roll of waves.
Roll
That which rolls; a roller.
Roll
That which is rolled up; as, a roll of fat, of wool, paper, cloth, etc.
Busy angels spreadThe lasting roll, recording what we say.
Roll
Hence, an official or public document; a register; a record; also, a catalogue; a list.
The rolls of Parliament, the entry of the petitions, answers, and transactions in Parliament, are extant.
The roll and list of that army doth remain.
Roll
A kind of shortened raised biscuit or bread, often rolled or doubled upon itself.
Roll
A quantity of cloth wound into a cylindrical form; as, a roll of carpeting; a roll of ribbon.
Roll
The oscillating movement of a vessel from side to side, in sea way, as distinguished from the alternate rise and fall of bow and stern called pitching.
Roll
A heavy, reverberatory sound; as, the roll of cannon, or of thunder.
Roll
The uniform beating of a drum with strokes so rapid as scarcely to be distinguished by the ear.
Roll
Part; office; duty; rôle.
Roll
Rotary motion of an object around its own axis;
Wheels in axial rotation
Roll
A list of names;
His name was struck off the rolls
Roll
A long heavy sea wave as it advances towards the shore
Roll
Photographic film rolled up inside a container to protect it from light
Roll
A round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
Roll
A roll of currency notes (often taken as the resources of a person or business etc.);
He shot his roll on a bob-tailed nag
Roll
Small rounded bread either plain or sweet
Roll
A deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
Roll
The sound of a drum (especially a snare drum) beaten rapidly and continuously
Roll
A document that can be rolled up (as for storage)
Roll
Anything rolled up in cylindrical form
Roll
The act of throwing dice
Roll
Walking with a rolling gait
Roll
A flight maneuver; aircraft rotates about its longitudinal axis without changing direction or losing altitude
Roll
The act of rolling something (as the ball in bowling)
Roll
Move by turning over or rotating;
The child rolled down the hill
Turn over on your left side
Roll
Move along on or as if on wheels or a wheeled vehicle;
The President's convoy rolled past the crowds
Roll
Occur in soft rounded shapes;
The hills rolled past
Roll
Flatten or spread with a roller;
Roll out the paper
Roll
Emit, produce, or utter with a deep prolonged reverberating sound;
The thunder rolled
Rolling drums
Roll
Wrap or coil around;
Roll your hair around your finger
Twine the thread around the spool
Roll
Begin operating or running;
The cameras were rolling
The presses are already rolling
Roll
Shape by rolling;
Roll a cigarette
Roll
Execute a roll, in tumbling;
The gymnasts rolled and jumped
Roll
Sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity
Roll
Move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion;
The curtains undulated
The waves rolled towards the beach
Roll
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
Roll
Move, rock, or sway from side to side;
The ship rolled on the heavy seas
Roll
Cause to move by turning over or in a circular manner of as if on an axis;
She rolled the ball
They rolled their eyes at his words
Roll
Pronounce with a roll, of the phoneme /r/;
She rolls her r's
Roll
Boil vigorously;
The liquid was seething
The water rolled
Roll
Take the shape of a roll or cylinder;
The carpet rolled out
Yarn rolls well
Roll
Show certain properties when being rolled;
The carpet rolls unevenly
Dried-out tobacco rolls badly
Roll
A motion or sound of something rolling.
The distant roll of thunder could be heard.
Common Curiosities
Can I eat a hand roll with chopsticks?
Hand rolls are designed to be eaten with your hands, not chopsticks.
Do all rolls contain raw fish?
No, rolls can contain various ingredients, including cooked fish, veggies, or other proteins.
Is it rude to share a hand roll?
Hand rolls are typically meant for individual consumption, so it's uncommon to share them.
Are all sushi rolls sliced into pieces?
Most sushi rolls are, but hand rolls are an exception, remaining whole.
Is the rice outside or inside in a roll?
It can be both. Traditional rolls have rice inside, but there are also inside-out rolls with rice outside.
How quickly should I eat a hand roll?
It's best to eat a hand roll immediately to enjoy the crispness of the nori.
Is a hand roll bigger than a roll?
A hand roll is usually bigger than a single piece of a roll but is meant for one person.
Can rolls be made without seaweed?
Yes, some rolls use soy paper or cucumber as a wrapper instead of seaweed.
Why is my roll's seaweed soggy?
Over time, moisture from the rice can soften the seaweed in a roll. Hand rolls are eaten quickly to avoid this.
Are there vegetarian hand rolls?
Yes, vegetarian hand rolls with ingredients like avocado or cucumber are popular.
Do rolls originate from Japan?
Sushi rolls have roots in Japan, but many modern variations are Western adaptations.
Why is my hand roll's filling at one end only?
Hand rolls are cone-shaped, so ingredients might be more concentrated at the wider end.
Is making a hand roll difficult?
With practice, making a hand roll can be straightforward, but it requires some skill to perfect.
Why do some hand rolls have a twist at the end?
The twist helps seal the hand roll and keeps the ingredients inside.
Are rolls always cold?
While many sushi rolls are served cold, there are also tempura or baked rolls served warm.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
