California Roll Sushi Bowls (Printable Version)
Deconstructed California roll on seasoned sushi rice with surimi, avocado, cucumber, nori and spicy mayo.
# Ingredient List:
→ Sushi Rice
01 - 1½ cups sushi rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
→ Toppings
06 - 7 oz imitation crab sticks (surimi), shredded or roughly chopped
07 - 1 large avocado, sliced
08 - 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced or julienned
09 - 2 sheets nori, cut into thin strips or small squares
10 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
11 - 4 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional, for spicy mayo)
13 - 1 small carrot, julienned (optional)
14 - Pickled ginger, for serving
15 - Soy sauce, for serving
# How to Make:
01 - Rinse sushi rice under cold water until the runoff runs clear. Combine rice and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for an additional 10 minutes.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until fully dissolved. Gently fold the mixture into the cooked rice using a paddle or wooden spoon, taking care not to mash the grains. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
03 - In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise and sriracha until evenly combined. Set aside.
04 - Divide the seasoned rice among four serving bowls. Arrange imitation crab, sliced avocado, cucumber, julienned carrot if using, and nori strips over each bed of rice.
05 - Drizzle spicy mayo over each bowl, sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds, and serve with pickled ginger and soy sauce on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It gives you every bit of that sushi restaurant satisfaction without needing to master rolling technique or own any special equipment.
- The bowl format means you can customize each serving, so everyone at the table builds exactly what they are craving.
02 -
- Skipping the rice rinse is the single biggest mistake you can make here, because the surface starch will turn your beautiful bowl into something closer to risotto.
- Letting the seasoned rice cool completely before assembling prevents the avocado from warming and turning mushy against the hot grains.
03 -
- Use a wooden spoon or rice paddle to fold the vinegar mixture into the rice, because metal reacts with the vinegar and can create an off taste.
- Toasting your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for about two minutes releases oils that the pre bottled version simply cannot match.