Published 3/16/2024 If you’re a fan of poke bowls, the classic California roll, or all things sushi, this California sushi bowl is for you! We love the tasty combination of seasoned crunchy cucumber, tender crab, and sticky rice topped with a delicious spicy mayo sauce. It’s quickly become my go-to alternative to sushi takeout 🥰🥰🥰 Plus, one of us team Fit Foodie has been pregnant for the last 100 years and a California roll is a great workaround for those who can’t do raw fish.
California Roll Sushi Bowl – What You’ll Need
Variations and Substitutions
Just like all sushi, there are so many different ingredient combinations to try. That said, we encourage you to find the perfect combo that resembles your favorite sushi roll. For example, if you’re not a fan of crab, you can swap it for any cooked or raw fish (as long as it is sushi-grade, of course!). Fresh sushi grade salmon would be BOMB in this recipe. You could also add a lot of tasty fixings like creamy avocado, green onion, and black sesame seeds, or even go for a vegetarian option and swap the crab for crispy tofu.
Our Go-To Way to Cook Sticky Rice
To make the sticky rice, we recommend using our Instant Pot sticky rice recipe. Follow these easy steps:
First, rinse 1.5 cups of uncooked rice under cold water for 2-3 minutes. Add the rice to your Instant Pot, and then add 1.5 cups of water. Stir and make sure all of the rice is covered in water. Close the lid and cook the rice under high pressure for 4 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let the rice naturally release for 8 minutes. After that, release the rest of the pressure and fluff the rice with a fork. Let it cool for a few minutes before using it in your sushi bowl.
Storage
Store any leftover California roll bowls in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 1 day — sushi expires fast, especially if you’re using raw meat. We don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
How to Serve Your Sushi Roll Bowl
While this easy sushi bowl could easily be a complete meal on its own, it never hurts to add more flavor with some side dishes! This cold meal would pair excellently with this Instant Pot Sweet Potato Curry Soup or Pork Dumplings. You would also really enjoy it with this Sesame Soy Kale Salad, Rainbow Sesame Noodle Salad, or Ginger Pea Salad.
