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? ›

Unlike a sushi rice bowl, poke rice bowls often contain larger chunks of fish, such as tuna or salmon, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil. Additional poke bowl ingredients can include cucumber, avocado, edamame, seaweed salad, and tobiko (fish roe).

What is golden California roll sushi? ›

Spicy Crabmeat and Tuna, Shrimp Tempura, Cucumber rolled together, then Eel and Spicy Mayo sauce drizzled over Crunch Panko bits.

What is a special California roll? ›

It is a variation of the traditional Japanese sushi rolls, known as “makizushi.” Unlike traditional sushi rolls, the California roll does not use raw fish as its main ingredient. Instead, it features avocado, imitation crab (also called kani), cucumber, and sushi rice, all wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed).

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.

Are poke bowls healthier than sushi? ›

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. Top it off with some fresh veggies and chia seeds or black seeds.

Is sushi or poke bowl healthier? ›

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.

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 Royal California roll? ›

The Royal California Roll is deep-fried and contains crab, avocado and cucumber and is topped with eel sauce and sesame seeds.

What is a California Sunset roll? ›

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

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 in a Super California roll? ›

This sushi bar classic combines imitation crab, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado, all snugly wrapped in nori and seasoned sushi rice. Once you've got the basics down, you can get creative by swapping in your preferred fish, veggies, and spices.

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.

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.

What is on a crunchy California roll? ›

Crunchy California rolls are considered an uramaki roll, or inside out sushi roll, where the rice is on the outside of nori sheet and the fillings are on the inside. The fillings consist of crab (usually imitation as it's less expensive), cucumber, avocado and tempura batter flakes.

What sushi is best 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 makes a poke bowl a poke bowl? ›

Standard poke bowl recipes have a few key components: A base (usually sushi rice), protein (traditionally Ahi tuna, salmon, chicken, or tofu), a sauce (used to flavor the protein), and a garnish (often pickled ginger, wasabi, and sliced green onions).

What defines 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.

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 is the point of a poke bowl? ›

At their core, poke bowls consist of lean protein from fish like tuna or salmon, which are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart health and cognitive function. The inclusion of fresh vegetables adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals, enhancing the meal's overall nutritional profile.

References

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