We love making our favorite Asian-inspired recipes at home, from California Sushi Rolls to Spring Rolls. You’re going to love these California Roll Bowls just as much as we do! This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Fresh California Sushi Roll Bowls
This fresh and fun recipe for California roll bowls is essentially a deconstructed California Sushi Roll. Sometimes, filling a bowl is way easier than rolling a roll, and you don’t need any special tools or techniques to make it happen. These perfect sushi roll bowls come together with easy homemade Sushi Rice, classic Cali roll toppings, and a generous drizzle of my favorite spicy mayo and a mix of soy sauce and wasabi. We’re walking you through how to make everything from scratch, from the sticky sushi rice right down to the homemade spicy mayo.
What Is a California Roll?
A traditional California roll is a type of inside-out sushi roll. Also called uramaki, California rolls consist of sushi rice (rather than nori) wrapped around a filling of imitation crab meat, avocado, and cucumber. If you’re wary of raw sushi like I am, Cali rolls are the way to go. No raw fish, here!
California Roll Bowls Video
Watch Natasha prepare the ultimate California roll bowl, complete with perfect sushi rice. This sushi bowl recipe has all the familiar flavors of a classic California roll, but it’s much easier to prepare and easier to serve.
Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make the sushi rice and also to assemble your bowls. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
For Perfect Sushi Rice
California Calrose Rice – This is a type of Japanese-inspired medium grain rice that’s produced in California, but you’ll find it just about everywhere in the US. Calrose rice cooks up soft and sticky, making it perfect for sushi recipes. Here are the Best Sushi Rice Brands.Sushi Vinegar – Also called seasoned rice vinegar. You can make this yourself, see my Pro Tip below.
For Assembling the Bowls
Crab Meat – This recipe uses imitation crab meat (either sticks or flakes).Nori – A type of edible seaweed found in most major grocery stores. Nori comes in sheets, so you’ll need to chop it up to sprinkle over your sushi bowls.Avocado – Choose a ripe avocado and dice it up into small, bite-sized pieces. Cucumber – My favorite is English cucumber since it has fewer seeds. Jalapeños – I know, I know. We’re not making Mexican bowls. But I can’t resist a nice, spicy kick in my rice bowls. Feel free to use another type of chili or Sriracha instead, or leave off the heat altogether.Chives – Also optional, for garnish.
Pro Tip: Making your own seasoned rice vinegar is easier than you’d think. In a saucepan on the stovetop, combine and heat 4 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Once dissolved, allow the mixture to cool.
Sushi Toppings and Sauces
Here are some of our favorite garnishes and sauces for dressing our California roll bowls:
Spicy Mayo – To make homemade spicy mayo, combine a ¼ cup of mayo with 1 tablespoon of Sriracha hot sauce (or to taste). It’s as easy as that.Soy Sauce – Use low-sodium soy sauce or the regular kind.Wasabi – This is a type of Japanese horseradish that comes in the form of a spicy green paste. Use your preferred wasabi paste from the store.Pickled Ginger – This is the bright pink, shredded ginger often served in sushi restaurants as a condiment alongside wasabi.Sesame Seeds – We love the flavor of toasted white or black sesame seeds.
How to Make a California Roll in a Bowl
There’s no need to crack out your sushi rolling mat for this recipe. These California roll bowls come together in just a few quick steps:
Making the Sushi Rice
First, you’ll prepare the rice you’ll use as the base for your bowls. Here’s how to make perfect sushi using the stovetop method. If you have a rice maker, you can also fast-forward the process, following the instructions for your machine (then just skip to Step 3 below).
Assembling the California Roll Bowls
When your rice is cooled and your toppings are ready, assembling your California roll bowls couldn’t be easier: Pro Tip: Craving some extra heat? Whisk together soy sauce and wasabi and drizzle the mixture over your bowls. My favorite!
Common Questions
What to Serve With Sushi Roll Bowls
Aside from garnishes and dipping sauces, we love enjoying these California roll bowls as a light lunch or dinner. If I feel like bulking up a meal, I’ll serve these bowls with more of our favorite Asian-style dishes:
Protein – Serve with General Tso’s Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, or Firecracker Shrimp.Spring Rolls – Make your own Fresh Spring Rolls.Stir-Fry – Pair your bowls with an easy Vegetable Stir Fry.Salad – Serve with a side of Asian Chopped Salad.
Make-Ahead
These California roll bowls are best when they’re made fresh. The sushi rice can be made a few hours in advance and kept covered at room temperature. You’ll want to use it within that time, as the rice will harden once it’s refrigerated.
To Store: If you’re not serving your sushi bowls within an hour of making them, they should be covered and stored in the fridge to keep the crab meat fresh.Freezing: I wouldn’t recommend freezing these sushi roll bowls as none of the ingredients hold up particularly well when frozen.
You’re going to love making these light and easy California roll bowls. They are easier than making Fancy Sushi Rolls and perfect if you’re craving the fresh flavors of your favorite sushi roll, in a quick and tasty one-bowl recipe!
More Asian-Inspired Recipes
If you loved these California roll bowls, here are more must-try Asian-style recipes:
Beef and Broccoli Stir FrySpring RollsEgg Roll Recipe with Best DipShrimp Fried RiceGeneral Tso’s ChickenChicken Chow Mein
