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 in 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 a California roll and a sushi 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).

What is the orange stuff on the California roll? ›

Tobiko are the small orange balls you often see on top of or around sushi. They're crunchy, salty, smoky little garnishes that add the final finishing touch to beautifully crafted rolls.

What did the California roll originally contain? ›

The first version of the roll was reportedly introduced in the 1960s by chef Ichiro Mashita at Tokyo Kaikan, a restaurant in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles. Seeking a replacement for tuna, he used avocado and added crab to give the dish a seafood flavour.

What is healthier, poke bowl or sushi? ›

Poke Bowls Win by TKO!

Poke bowls and sushi are both healthy meal options and contain similar ingredients, but there's a clear winner here. Move over, sushi! It's time for a fresher, healthier option to take its turn in the spotlight.

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? ›

Make a more traditional poke bowl by adding a base of rice. Jasmine rice or sushi rice is customary, but brown rice or even quinoa would be good too. Swap the watermelon for diced mango, marinated or baked organic tofu, or sashimi grade fish if you're not vegetarian!

Is a California roll 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.

Is avocado sushi healthy? ›

Good: Avocado

Many popular sushi rolls incorporate avocado, often with fish and vegetables but sometimes alone with the rice (and nori, sushi's seaweed wrapper). Avocado is high in heart-healthy fats and fiber, and it's packed with other nutrients. That can help your kidneys, your heart, and your nerves work better.

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

California Roll: This classic roll is made with crab meat, avocado, and cucumber and is a staple on sushi menus around the world. Its simple and flavorful combination of ingredients has made it a fan favorite for decades.

What is a California roll called in Japan? ›

California roll (加州巻き,カリフォルニアロール, kariforunia rōru) or California maki is an uramaki (inside-out makizushi roll) containing imitation crab (or rarely real crab), avocado, and cucumber.

Are California rolls good or bad for you? ›

This type of sushi is usually presented in reverse roll, meaning that the rice is on the outside, seaweed and other ingredients on the inside (called uramaki). A California sushi roll is a healthy choice if you don't go with high-calorie dips and sauces, such as mayonnaise.

Is there anything raw in a California roll? ›

Arguably the most notorious sushi roll of them all: The California Roll. This roll has been the “bread and butter” to most sushi bars. This roll is what most people start off with, if they have never tried sushi before (because it doesn't contain raw fish).

Is the crab in a California roll cooked? ›

can be found in just about any Japanese restaurant in the United States. Because it is often prepared with cooked imitation crab, it is regarded as a starter roll for people new to sushi who are not ready for raw fish.

What is an inside out California roll? ›

Inside-out rolls are also referred to as “Uramaki.” Traditional California rolls contain crab or imitation crab, cucumber and avocado. This tasty dish is a modern take on traditional Japanese rice rolls and can make a very filling meal. The rolls can also be fun to make and serve to guests.

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