Sushi Boats & Displays

Sushi Displays: What You Need to Know

Sushi can be presented in many forms. The presentation method you select depends on the unique visual story you're trying to tell through your business's food, so we'll go over your options here. Your main choices for displaying sushi are racks, displays, and boats. Sushi racks and displays share many similarities but differ in a couple areas. Displays have flat surfaces that can be layered in tiers, while racks have grooves that provide stability when sushi is being carried across kitchens and dining areas. We recommend sushi displays for stationary settings and sushi racks for transportation.

If you're looking to create even more visual intrigue, go for a sushi boat. It's perfect for wowing guests and making culinary creations pop. Sushi boats pack an unexpected visual punch, presenting artfully arranged sushi in an innovative vessel. Much like sushi plates, sushi boats are available in various materials. We'll go over your options in more detail below.

Common Questions About Sushi Displays

What materials are sushi boats made of?

Sushi boats are available in bamboo, wood, plastic, melamine, and porcelain. We recommend bamboo over wood because wooden sushi boats can absorb liquids and harbor bacteria. Sushi boats made of wood will also crack and warp over time. They're hard to clean, and you can't wash them in dishmachines. On the other hand, bamboo sushi boats are biodegradable. They're lightweight, and you can clean them quickly with soap and water. Sushi boats constructed of bamboo can be cleaned in dishwashers so long as the smallware is made of one piece, but any piece made from several parts glued together could be damaged. Bamboo is optimal because it's water resistant, doesn't stain, and won't crack and warp. This material is nonporous, so it won't harbor bacteria.

If you want something lighter than bamboo or wood, we recommend plastic or melamine sushi boats. However, there are more risks associated with melamine. It's safe for direct food contact so long as you don't put it in the oven or microwave. Abrasive cleaners such as steel wool and metal scouring pads can't be used on melamine, and you should never use chlorine bleach to wash it. To remove dried food from melamine sushi boats, use a plastic-type bristle or plastic pad. Melamine dishware must be pre-soaked in high-quality dishwashing detergent.

What is crazing?

Crazing occurs only with sushi boats constructed of porcelain. This term describes the formation of fine cracks in the porcelain's glaze – often like a spiderweb in appearance. Stains can set into these cracks and make the crazing more visible, giving porcelain sushi boats a dirty, worn appearance. Crazing appears when the glaze experiences too much tension, which occurs when the glaze contracts more than the clay body does when cooling. Because porcelain sushi boat glazes consist of a thin coating, they'll craze easily.

How do you remove crazing stains from a porcelain sushi boat?

Crazing in porcelain sushi boats can be removed with soap and water. If this method doesn't work, you can move onto more intensive treatments, such as hydrogen peroxide, baking soda paste, or oxygen bleach. However, you should always begin with the gentlest cleaning method.