If you love the delicious crunch of a classic sushi roll but want to skip the rolling process, this Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl is the perfect answer! It combines all the tasty elements of a crunch roll – creamy avocado, crispy tempura shrimp, and savory sushi rice – into an easy-to-make, customizable bowl. With a delightful blend of textures and flavors, this sushi bowl will be a hit at any meal.
Ingredients for Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl
For the Bowl:
- 1 cup sushi rice, cooked and seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt
- 4-6 tempura shrimp (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced into thin sticks
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1 sheet of nori (seaweed), cut into small strips
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (black or white, or a mix)
For the Spicy Mayo:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1-2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Optional Toppings:
- Panko breadcrumbs or tempura bits for extra crunch
- Eel sauce for drizzling
- Pickled ginger and wasabi for serving
Instructions: How to Make a Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl
- Cook the Sushi Rice
Rinse the rice well until the water runs clear, then cook it according to package instructions. Once cooked, gently mix in rice vinegar, a pinch of sugar, and a dash of salt for that signature sushi flavor. Let it cool slightly. - Prepare the Spicy Mayo
In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sriracha, and soy sauce until well combined. Adjust the level of sriracha to your spice preference. - Assemble the Bowl
Start with a base of sushi rice in each bowl. Arrange the tempura shrimp, cucumber, avocado, shredded carrots, and green onions on top. - Add the Finishing Touches
Drizzle the spicy mayo over the ingredients and add a sprinkle of sesame seeds and nori strips for added flavor. For extra crunch, top with panko breadcrumbs or tempura bits. Drizzle eel sauce if desired for a touch of sweetness. - Serve and Enjoy
Serve the Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl with pickled ginger and wasabi on the side for a traditional sushi experience.
Tips for Perfecting Your Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl
- Tempura Shrimp: You can make tempura shrimp at home or buy pre-made ones for convenience. Air-fry or oven-bake them for an extra crispy texture.
- Sushi Rice: Authentic sushi rice gives this dish its foundation. Use short-grain rice for best results, and don’t skip the rice vinegar seasoning.
- Additions: Feel free to add more veggies or protein! Sliced radishes, edamame, or even tuna can enhance the bowl.
- Make it Vegetarian: Swap tempura shrimp with tempura vegetables like sweet potato or zucchini for a plant-based version.
Why You’ll Love This Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl
This recipe is ideal for sushi lovers who want a satisfying meal that’s both easy to prepare and bursting with flavor. The combination of creamy avocado, crunchy tempura shrimp, and spicy mayo creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors, while the sushi rice ties it all together. Plus, by serving it as a bowl, you can skip the rolling process and customize your toppings to suit your tastes.
Serving and Storage Tips for Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl
Serving Tips
- Serve Fresh: For the best flavor and texture, serve the Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl immediately after assembling. This ensures the crispy tempura shrimp and fresh ingredients stay at their peak.
- Family-Style Serving: If you’re hosting a group or want to make serving easier, you can prepare all the components separately and let guests assemble their own bowls, allowing for customization.
- Add Garnishes: Enhance the visual appeal of the bowl with additional toppings like pickled ginger, extra sesame seeds, or a drizzle of eel sauce. These add flavor and make the dish look more vibrant.
- Pair with Drinks: Serve with a refreshing beverage like iced green tea, a chilled white wine, or a light Japanese beer to complement the sushi bowl.
Storage Tips
- Store Leftovers Separately: If you have leftovers, store each ingredient separately to preserve the freshness of the sushi bowl. For instance, store the rice, tempura shrimp, and vegetables in different containers.
- Refrigerating the Rice: Sushi rice can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1-2 days in the fridge. It’s best to eat it within 24 hours for optimal texture.
- Keep the Spicy Mayo Separate: If you have leftover spicy mayo, keep it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will last up to 3-4 days.
- Tempura Shrimp Storage: Tempura shrimp should be eaten fresh for the best texture. If you need to store them, keep them in an airtight container and reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.
- Avoid Storing Avocado: Avocados tend to brown quickly once cut. If you need to store leftovers, remove the avocado slices and store them in an airtight container with a little lemon or lime juice to slow down browning.
By following these serving and storage tips, you can enjoy your Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl fresh and flavorful or save some for later!
- Can I use regular rice instead of sushi rice?
While sushi rice is ideal for the best flavor and texture, you can use other types of rice like jasmine or short-grain rice as a substitute. Just keep in mind that sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, which gives it a unique tangy flavor that enhances the bowl. - Can I make the Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl without tempura shrimp?
Yes! You can easily make the dish vegetarian or swap the tempura shrimp for other protein options like crispy tofu, grilled chicken, or even seared tuna. The other ingredients like avocado, cucumber, and carrots still make it a delicious and satisfying meal. - Is this sushi bowl gluten-free?
The Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl can be made gluten-free if you use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) and ensure the tempura shrimp is made with gluten-free batter or opt for a gluten-free protein like grilled chicken or tofu. - Can I prepare the ingredients ahead of time?
Yes, many of the ingredients can be prepared in advance, such as cooking the sushi rice, slicing the vegetables, and making the spicy mayo. However, it’s best to assemble the bowl just before serving to ensure the crispy texture of the tempura shrimp and freshness of the avocado.
Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl
This Crunch Roll Sushi Bowl brings all the flavors of a crunchy sushi roll into a quick, deconstructed bowl! Loaded with sushi rice, shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado, and a drizzle of spicy mayo, this sushi bowl is topped with crispy tempura bits for that satisfying crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Bowl
- Method: Assemble
- Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
Ingredients
- For the Bowl:
- 2 cups cooked sushi rice
- 6–8 pieces shrimp tempura (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1 sheet nori (seaweed), cut into small strips
- 1/4 cup tempura flakes or crispy fried onions (for crunch)
- For the Spicy Mayo:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- For Garnish:
- Soy sauce or tamari, for drizzling
- Sesame seeds
- Pickled ginger (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice:
- Cook sushi rice according to package instructions. Once done, fluff with a fork and allow it to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Spicy Mayo:
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and sriracha. Adjust the amount of sriracha based on your preferred spice level. Set aside.
- Assemble the Sushi Bowl:
- Divide the cooked sushi rice into two bowls as the base.
- Arrange shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado slices, shredded carrots, and green onions on top of the rice in each bowl.
- Add the Toppings:
- Drizzle spicy mayo over the top of each bowl.
- Sprinkle with nori strips, sesame seeds, and tempura flakes for crunch.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Drizzle with a little soy sauce or tamari.
- Add pickled ginger on the side if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can make your own tempura shrimp by dipping shrimp in tempura batter and frying until golden.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute shrimp tempura with crispy tofu or tempura vegetables.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha to the mayo.