Rice Paddles

A rice paddle, also known as a "shamoji" is an important part of the sushi-making process. It is a flat utensil, generally made from wood that is used to mix vinegar rice and transfer the vinegar rice from the bowl to the dried seaweed or nori. Rice paddles are usually made out of wood so that they can absorb any excess moisture left on the vinegar rice or sushi rice. Bamboo rice paddles are traditional, but nowadays plastic and stainless steel rice paddles are becoming more popular, partly because they are easier to clean and less likely to mold. Stainless steel paddles will generally last the longest.