California Roll Bowl for Two
Skip the rolling and enjoy all the flavors of a California roll in this easy bowl for two. Made with seasoned sushi rice, imitation crab, avocado, cucumber, and your favorite toppings, it's a quick, satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or easy lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Assemble
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 2 cups cooked short-grain rice
- 2 tablespoons sushi vinegar seasoning (from my Sushi Rice recipe)
Crab Mixture
- 4 to 6 ounces imitation crab, chopped
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Pinch of sugar
Toppings
- 2 Persian cucumbers, diced
- 1 avocado, diced or sliced
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
- Furikake or sesame seeds
Optional
- Spicy mayo (3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce)
- Roasted seasoned seaweed snacks
- Soy sauce
- Wasabi
- Pickled ginger
Instructions
- Prepare the sushi rice according to my Sushi Rice recipe. Gently mix with 2 tablespoons sushi vinegar seasoning and let cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, combine the imitation crab, mayonnaise, salt, and sugar.
- Dice the cucumber and avocado, then slice the green onion.
- Divide the sushi rice between two bowls.
- Top with the crab mixture, cucumber, avocado, and green onion.
- Sprinkle with furikake or sesame seeds. Add spicy mayo, soy sauce, wasabi, or pickled ginger if desired. Serve with roasted seasoned seaweed snacks for wrapping each bite.
Notes
- Sushi rice shortcut: Plain rice works in a pinch, but seasoned sushi rice gives the bowl the classic California roll flavor. If using plain rice, add a little extra soy sauce or spicy mayo before serving.
- Don't over-season the rice. This bowl needs less sushi vinegar than traditional sushi rolls since you'll likely add spicy mayo or soy sauce.
- Use enough crab. I recommend 4 to 6 ounces for two bowls for the best balance of rice and toppings.
- Choose Korean or Japanese-style imitation crab. It has a firmer texture and richer flavor than many conventional grocery store brands.
- Seaweed makes a difference. Serve with roasted seasoned seaweed snacks and wrap each bite for an experience that's even closer to eating a California roll.
- Easy spicy mayo trick: Mix the spicy mayo directly in a small zip-top bag, snip the corner, and drizzle without dirtying another dish.
Find it online: https://www.myeclecticbites.com/california-roll-bowl/