California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published August 27, 2022. Updated July 8, 2023

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California Roll in layered bowl form! These are the simplified way to enjoy all the flavors of a California roll in a fraction of the time! You get a hearty bowl of sushi rice layered together with so many delicious flavors and textures. Who could resist?

California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

California Rolls the Quick and Easy Way!

How could you go wrong with deconstructed sushi piled high in a bowl? It’s destined to be a new go-to weeknight recipe for you!

You get a slightly sweet, slightly tangy, tender sushi rice and atop is a blend of crab (or imitation crab), crisp fresh veggies including carrots, cucumber, and buttery avocado. Then there’s also umami-rich nori, flavorful pickled ginger, a salty soy finish, creamy and spicy sriracha mayo, then buttery little sesame seeds to finish it off with more texture.

Talk about explosion of flavor in every bite!

Plus these are so easy to make. Just cook the rice, chop everything up, then serve it layered together individual bowls. No meticulous cutting and rolling just slice it, dice it, dress it and boom! Dinner (or lunch) is served.

California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (2)Watch the Video!

California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (3)

What Ingredients are in a California Sushi Roll Bowl?

  • seasoned sushi rice (whichreally is so easy to make by the way)
  • avocados
  • cucumbers
  • crab meat (real or imitationeither works)
  • carrots
  • nori (which is just that seaweed which sushi is wrappedin)
  • sesame seeds
  • sriracha mayo

California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (4) California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (5)

How do You Make Deconstructed California Rolls?

  • Rinse and cook rice.
  • Heat vinegar with sugar and salt then toss with rice.
  • Mix mayo and sriracha.
  • In a bowl toss crab, cucumber, carrots, nori, ginger and avocado, OR keep it separate and layer in sections into individual bowls over the rice.
  • Mix soy and vinegar.
  • Layer rice and crab mixture among serving bowls, top with soy vinegar mixture and mayo mixture.

Try Serving in Mini Portions Too!

I think these would be so fun for a party to serve in mini bowls. Everyonewould think you are genius. I think you could easily get10 mini servings out of this, just be sure to set aside a few for yourself, they’ll go quick.

California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (6)

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California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (7)

4.97 from 27 votes

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California Roll Sushi Bowls

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All the flavors of the traditional California Roll in a simplified deconstructed version! Seasoned sushi recipe is layered together with crab, nori, fresh veggies and sriracha mayo for one crave-able bowl you'll want to make again and again!

Watch the video

Servings: 5

Prep15 minutes minutes

Cook25 minutes minutes

Ready in: 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry sushi rice or calrose rice
  • 5 Tbsp rice vinegar , divided
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup light mayonnaise or regular mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp sriracha
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 10 oz imitation crab or lump crabmeat , torn or chopped into small bite size pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups diced English cucumber
  • 3/4 cup roughly chopped matchstick carrots
  • 1 nori sheet , chopped or crumbled into small pieces (add more if you'd like)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp chopped pickled sushi ginger
  • 1 large avocado , peeled and diced
  • Black and toasted sesame seeds , for garnish

Instructions

  • Place rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until water runs clear (it will take about 2 minutes of rinsing). Tap bottom of strainer with palm of your hand until water no longer falls from strainer (it should be well drained).

  • Transfer rice to a medium saucepan along with 2 1/4 cups water. Bring mixture to a full boil then reduce heat to low, cover with lid and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat, keep covered and let rest 10 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan combine 4 Tbsp of the vinegar with the sugar and salt. Heat over medium heat, cook and whisk until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, let cool while rice is resting then pour vinegar mixture over rice and toss to evenly coat.

  • In a small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise with sriracha. Transfer to a sandwich size resealable bag. Set aside.

  • Separately in a small mixing bowl whisk together soy sauce and remaining 1 Tbsp vinegar, set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl gently toss together crab meat, cucumber, carrots, nori, ginger and avocado OR keep it separate and just divide chopped ingredients into sections over a rice layer in serving bowls.

  • Divide prepared rice among 4 or 5 bowls. Top with crab mixture.

  • Spoon soy sauce mixture over top of each serving. Cut a small tip from one corner of the resealable bag and drizzle sriracha mayo over each serving. Serve shortly after preparing (the avocado will start to brown).

Nutrition Facts

California Roll Sushi Bowls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 465Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 1185mg52%

Potassium 400mg11%

Carbohydrates 84g28%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 3325IU67%

Vitamin C 9.3mg11%

Calcium 26mg3%

Iron 1.8mg10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: California Roll

Author: Jaclyn

California Roll Sushi Bowl Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a sushi bowl and a poke bowl? ›

Both bowls often feature similar toppings, such as avocado, cucumber, and furikake seasoning. However, poke rice bowls may also include ingredients that are not typically found in sushi rice bowls like edamame, seaweed salad, or pineapple chunks.

What is the difference between a spicy California roll and a regular California roll? ›

This Spicy California Roll is a common twist on one of the most popular sushi rolls in the US, the California Roll! California Rolls are traditionally made with imitation crab stick, avocado, and cucumber. This version uses a spicy crab salad filling to give it a little kick!

What is golden California roll sushi? ›

Spicy crabmeat, cream cheese, Jalapeno inside / Deep-fried. Sushi Roll.

What is a special California roll? ›

California roll is a type of sushi roll (makizushi 巻き寿司 or rolled sushi in Japanese) made with seasoned sushi rice, crabmeat (real or imitation), avocado, and cucumber. It is an “inside-out” roll, known as uramaki (裏巻き), where the fillings and nori (dried roasted seaweed sheet) are rolled inside the sushi rice.

Is sushi or poke bowl healthier? ›

You can add anything you like, whether it's Tuna, Shrimp, Salmon, or even chicken. Thus, poké bowls can be more nutritious and delicious because of the flexibility of taste and ingredients. You have the option to choose your base, select your source of protein and mix your fillings.

Is sushi rice or white rice better for poke bowl? ›

Is poke healthy? Raw fish contains many Omega-3 oils good for brain function and joints, but go for a smaller portion of brown rice as your base rather than white sushi rice which has a high GI. Hold the mayonnaise and fried onions and use a low salt soy sauce if you are wanting to make this healthier.

What is in a deluxe California roll? ›

The main wrapped ingredients are the avocado and imitation crab (surimi sticks); these are all typically wrapped with seaweed, although soy paper can be used. Premium versions may use real crab, as in the original recipe. The cucumber may have been used since the beginning, or added later, depending on the account.

What is the most popular sushi roll in the world? ›

What Are the Most Popular Types of Sushi Rolls?
  • California Roll. The California Roll is an iconic maki roll known for its simplicity and delightful combination of flavors. ...
  • Spicy Tuna Roll. For those seeking a bold and fiery kick, the Spicy Tuna Roll delivers an exhilarating experience. ...
  • Dragon Roll. ...
  • Cucumber Roll.

What's the difference between a New York roll and a California roll? ›

Though these rolls might seem strikingly similar at first glance, there is one key difference: the type of seafood included. Both rolls contain cooked fish, cucumber, and avocado, but New York sushi rolls include shrimp as the protein, while California rolls are infamous for their inclusion of imitation crab meat.

What is a sunrise California roll? ›

🥑, imitation crab 🦀 & topped with Spicy Tuna, Salmon 🐟, Deep Fried Onion , Garlic Mayo , Spicy Mayo, and Unagi Sauce!

What is a California Sunset roll? ›

Fresh salmon and tuna rolled on the inside, topped with avocado and tobiko.

What is a California king roll? ›

A California roll is a fresh take on traditional Japanese rice rolls. Filled with avocado, crab, and cucumber, it's fresh and crunchy and makes a filling meal. You can use real or imitation crab. Updated on May 23, 2023.

What is a new California roll? ›

Made with crab stick, cucumber, avocado, spicy mayo, seasoned white rice, seaweed, sesame seeds and tempura crunch. Spicy flavor. Great for a quick and easy meal. Convenient, reclosable container with built-in sauce well in the lid for soy sauce or wasabi.

Are there different types of California rolls? ›

When it comes to different filling options for inside-out rolls, the possibilities are endless — smoked salmon, cooked shrimp, very fresh raw tuna and salmon, tofu (firm or silken), eggs (made into an omelet and cut into strips), scallions, mushrooms, snow pea sprouts, asparagus (lightly steamed), and grated carrot.

What are the orange balls on California roll? ›

The mysterious orange balls on sushi do have a name: tobiko. This translates to flying fish roe, which is used in Japanese cuisine and commonly in sushi. Tobiko are small fish eggs in comparison to salmon roe, for example. But Tobiko is larger than masago, which is capelin roe.

Is a poke bowl just sushi in a bowl? ›

Poké bowls (pronounced "poh-kay") are a type of sushi bowl that typically consists of sushi rice, shredded vegetables, and either a fish or meat topping. The word "poke" is Hawaiian for "to cut or slice." Poké bowls first became popular in Hawaii but didn't start making their way to the mainland until a few years ago.

What makes it a poke bowl? ›

A poke bowl (original spelling 'poke bowl', pronounced “poh-KAY bowl”) is a Hawaiian dish that has its roots deeply rooted in Japanese cuisine. “Poke” means “cut into pieces” and the name refers to the slices or cubes of raw fish that are served in a bowl along with rice, dressing, vegetables and seasonings.

What is considered a poke bowl? ›

Locally, a "poke bowl" means poke served over cooked rice. In dining restaurants, it is often served as like tartare (sans egg yolk) or tostada with chips of fried wonton wrappers or with prawn crackers, sometimes referred to as "poke nachos". In casual sushi restaurants, poke fills inari sushi.

Do poke bowls taste like sushi? ›

This variety can appeal to those who enjoy exploring different taste profiles. Sushi-Like Experience: Poke bowls share some similarities with sushi, as they often feature raw fish, rice, and seaweed. People who love sushi but want a different presentation or combination of flavors might find poke bowls appealing.

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