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 in a Cali bowl? ›

ingredients
  • 1 cup white rice, uncooked.
  • 3 king crab legs, average size.
  • 12 avocado.
  • 1 carrot.
  • 12 cucumber.
  • soy sauce.
  • pickled ginger.
  • toasted sesame seeds.

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.

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 does a California roll have in it? ›

A California roll is a maki-style sushi roll that uses avocado, cucumber, and lump crab meat instead of the traditional raw fish. Maki-style sushi means that the ingredients are rolled in seaweed and paired with vinegared sushi rice.

What is the bowl made up of? ›

Made up of: It is used to mean 'consist of' , 'composed of'.

Are cali bowls microwavable? ›

Small bowl that is not easy to tip over and is convenient for dining The handle is easy to reach to the mouth Can be heated in a microwave oven T..

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

Usually, poke bowl recipes use short-grain rice, specifically Japanese rice. But you can use any kind of rice in the recipe. If you are a health enthusiast then I would suggest using a whole grain brown rice or similar.

Is sushi rice or white rice better for poke bowl? ›

Base - sushi rice is commonly used, but regular white and brown rice could also be used. Fish - The raw fish is normally tuna, but salmon and cooked prawns can also be used, or you can opt for a mixture. If you are not a fan of fish, cooked chicken or cubes of firm tofu could also be substituted.

Why is poke bowl so good? ›

They are also a good source of lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Poke bowls have also become a popular option for those following a sustainable diet. Most poke bowls are made with sustainably caught fish, which is an important consideration for many consumers when it comes to seafood.

What is the most ordered sushi? ›

1. California Roll- By far the most popular sushi roll. The California roll contains cucumber, crab, and avocado. 2. Shrimp Tempura Roll- Tempura is a light batter typically used to fry fish and vegetables.

What is classic California roll? ›

California roll, a type of inside-out sushi roll (uramaki) in which vinegared rice (rather than nori, an edible seaweed) forms the outside of the roll, usually encompassing cucumber, crab (or imitation crab), and avocado.

What is masago? ›

Smelt roe — commonly known as masago — are the edible eggs of the capelin fish (Mallotus villosus), which belong to the smelt family. They're considered a forage fish, meaning they're an important food source for larger predators, such as codfish, seabirds, seals, and whales.

Why do California rolls taste so good? ›

The California Roll Unveiled: Key Ingredients

With the creaminess of the avocado, the sweetness of the imitation crab, and the subtle crunch of cucumber, it delivers a delightful medley of tastes that harmonize beautifully.

What is the orange stuff on the California roll? ›

The mysterious orange balls on sushi do have a name: tobiko. This translates to flying fish roe, which is used in Japanese cuisine and commonly in sushi. Tobiko are small fish eggs in comparison to salmon roe, for example. But Tobiko is larger than masago, which is capelin roe.

Is imitation crab healthy? ›

It's a highly processed food containing minced fillet, egg whites, salt, sugar, and other additives to make it look like real crab meat. It's more affordable, but less nutritious, than fresh crab meat. The decision is yours to make as to which you'll buy for dinner.

What goes well in a rice bowl? ›

Protein – Next up, your choice of protein. You'll find rice bowls made with chicken, beef, seafood, and more, plus plant-based protein like tempeh and tofu. Veggies – Pair your proteins with fresh, steamed, or roasted veggies, sauteed vegetables, and fresh greens. Arugula, kale, and spinach are all great options.

What is a cava bowl? ›

WHAT IS A CAVA BOWL? Cava is a fast-casual restaurant that is essentially the Mediterranean version of Chipotle. A Cava Bowl is made up of your choice of mixed greens, grains, proteins, toppings, and dressings.

How many calories in a cali bowl? ›

World of Beer
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 Serving
How many calories are in Cali Bowl? Amount of calories in Cali Bowl: Calories 510Calories from Fat 216 (42.4%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Cali Bowl? Amount of fat in Cali Bowl: Total Fat 24g-
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