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 are the ingredients of a California 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.

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!

What is the difference between Japanese sushi and California roll? ›

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).

How do you assemble California rolls? ›

Arrange, in a horizontal row 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the bottom, the crab followed by a row of avocado and a row of cucumber. Grabbing both nori and the mat, roll the mat over the filling so the extra space at the bottom touches the other side, squeezing down to make a nice tight roll.

What is the orange stuff on the California roll? ›

Tobiko is the tiny, orange, pearl-like stuff you find on sushi rolls. It's actually flying fish roe, which technically makes it a caviar (albeit less expensive than its sturgeon cousin). Tobiko adds crunchy texture and salty taste to the dish, not to mention artistic flair.

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.

Do you use white or sushi rice for poke bowls? ›

Base - sushi rice is commonly used, but regular white and brown rice could also be used.

What is a good substitute for sushi rice in a poke bowl? ›

Sushi Rice Substitute: 9 Delicious Alternatives
  • Short-Grain White Rice.
  • Arborio Rice.
  • Calrose Rice.
  • Sticky Black Rice.
  • Brown Rice.
  • Pudding Rice.
  • Bomba Rice.
  • Cauliflower Rice.
Dec 27, 2022

What sushi rolls are the healthiest? ›

Sashimi, vegetable rolls, salmon and avocado rolls, and rainbow rolls are just a few examples of healthy sushi options.

Is California roll sushi healthy? ›

There is such a wide range of nutrients packed into this roll that it's a complete meal all on its own. California roll. California rolls contain a combination of cucumber, crab (or imitation crab) and avocado and contain a healthy balance of carbs, fiber and healthy fats all rolled up together.

What is the lowest calorie sushi? ›

For the lowest calorie options, choose tuna, yellow tail, shrimp (not tempura) or salmon rolls. Order steamed, grilled or raw. Ask for brown rice sushi instead of regular white rice. Brown rice is loaded with fiber for the maintenance of healthy digestion.

What is in the Alaska roll? ›

A typical filling for an Alaskan roll is cooked or smoked salmon, cucumber, and avocado, which are then encased in a layer of sushi rice and seaweed. The combination of fresh veggies and premium salmon gives these rolls their very light, delicate flavor and creamy texture.

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 sushi without fish called? ›

The sushi is called sushi due to the vinegared rice. So, it is still sushi without the fish. If you need to be precise, it is called sushi meshi or sushi gohan. Sushi generally mean sour or vinegared while meshi or gohan mean rice.

Does California roll contain cream cheese? ›

A California roll is another form of uramaki sushi, with the rice being on the outside. This refreshing roll features crab sticks, avocado, cucumber and, of course, cream cheese. It's fresh and crunchy, with the trick being to go light on the cream cheese so that it doesn't detract from the delicate ingredients.

What is the difference between a California roll and hand roll? ›

If you're confused about the difference between roll vs hand roll sushi, here's the 411: Sushi roll is called “Maki” and consists of cylinders that are sliced into several individual pieces—generally 6 to 8 servings. Hand roll sushi is called, “Temaki” and is a cone-shaped individual serving.

Are California rolls cooked or raw? ›

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.

Does California roll have gluten or dairy? ›

Additionally, the imitation crab, also called surimi, found in many rolls such as California rolls, are made from fish and a food starch, which often contain wheat and therefore gluten.

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