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.

How many calories in a California roll poke bowl? ›

Per serving: 540 calories (90 from fat), 10g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 25mg cholesterol, 1000mg sodium, 94g carbohydrates (7g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 16g protein. Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors!

Are California rolls cooked? ›

California Roll – Imitation crab, avocado and cucumber. The crab is cooked – so this is perfect if you're still not sure about eating raw fish. Spider Roll – Tempura soft-shell crab, avocado, cucumber, and spicy mayo.

What to serve with sushi bowls? ›

6 Lip Smacking Sushi Sides
  • Miso Soup. Miso soup without sushi is just as bad as sushi without rice. ...
  • Wasabi. Wasabi, a spice similar to horseradish, is used in Japanese cuisine. ...
  • Soy Sauce. Soy sauce has seen a rise in popularity due to sushi. ...
  • Gari Or Pickled Ginger. ...
  • Wakame Salad. ...
  • Tempura.

What is another name for a sushi bowl? ›

Chirashi Bowls. Chirashizushi (ちらし寿司) translates to "scattered sushi" and is a style of sushi that entails exactly what the name suggests: pieces of sashimi over sushi rice. Chirashizushi—or chirashi bowls—is probably the simplest way to enjoy what you love about sushi without having to learn how to roll maki.

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

It has a chewier, stickier texture, which is perfect for rolled sushi. Medium-grain rice is also plenty sticky for sushi or poke bowls. I like using sushi rice for poke bowls because I like the texture, plus the stickiness makes eating with chopsticks easier.

Is a Poke Bowl healthier than sushi? ›

In the end, the bowl might be higher in calories compared with the roll, but you'll get a better nutritional profile and fewer empty carbs.

Are poke bowls healthy for weight loss? ›

While poke bowls are inherently nutritious, portion control plays a crucial role in maximizing their health benefits. It's easy to overindulge, especially with add-ons and sauces that can quickly increase the calorie count.

What is the pink stuff in California rolls? ›

The pink stuff often served alongside sushi is called "pickled ginger" or "gari" in Japanese. Pickled ginger is a palate cleanser that is traditionally eaten between different types of sushi or sashimi to refresh the taste buds and cleanse the palate before moving on to a new flavor.

Should you eat sushi in one bite? ›

Open wide (but you don't have to say aaah)

“You always eat sushi in one piece”, Miho says firmly. So there is no taking a bite from it and putting it back on your plate, or – the horror! – cutting it into pieces with a knife and fork (it happens). “If the piece is too big, you can ask your sushi chef to use less rice.”

What's the best sushi for beginners? ›

Basic rolls, like salmon rolls or tuna rolls, are typically made only with sushi rice, seaweed paper and raw fish. For this reason, they are some of the best sushi rolls for beginners who are afraid to try anything too complex. If you already know that you like salmon, ordering a salmon roll is a safe start.

What is the purpose of ginger when eating sushi? ›

The ginger in the sushi helps kill bloodborne parasites from raw fish. Pickled ginger has become a popular palate cleanser since the medical and agriculture industries have learned more about bacteria that live in raw seafood. You should eat a few slices of pickled Ginger between each batch of sushi.

What sauce goes with sushi? ›

Soy Sauce: used for dipping sushi and sashimi, soy sauce has a salty and sweet flavor that makes it ideal for topping off any roll.

Is a poke bowl healthier than sushi? ›

In the end, the bowl might be higher in calories compared with the roll, but you'll get a better nutritional profile and fewer empty carbs.

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.

What makes it a poke bowl? ›

What is usually in a poke bowl? At it's core, it's a raw fish salad made with Ahi that's tossed with a soy sauce based dressing and then occasionally some fried shallots, white rice and perhaps some seaweed.

Are poke bowls all raw? ›

C.C.: Generally speaking, poke would refer to raw pieces of tuna cut into cubes, then marinated with soy sauce and sesame oil and mixed with onion; though the variations go far beyond this generalization. Poke doesn't necessarily have to be tuna or even seafood, nor does it have to be raw or cubed.

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