Spicy Salmon Roll Sushi Bowl
This is my spicy salmon roll sushi bowl and one I’ve loved for some time, but I am just getting around to sharing it. Truthfully speaking, there is nothing complicated about this dish, but it’s the perfect one-bowl meal that’s easy to make and packed with nutrition. If you are a fish lover, this is a fantastic go-to meal on a hot summer day.
The recipe includes sweet-savory quick pickled cucumbers, an aromatic marinade for the fresh sushi quality salmon, traditional short-grain sushi rice, and a spicy dressing to tie all the goodness of this healthful bowl together perfectly. This flavorful summer favorite is quick enough to make for a weekday dinner and fancy enough to serve for a special occasion.
The fine art of sushi isn’t something to take lightly—good chefs train for decades. But the simplicity of sushi has always captivated me. My spicy salmon sushi roll bowl can almost be considered a deconstructed sushi roll. What makes it special to me is all the different components that come together and make some amazing flavors. The simplicity in presentation, like sushi itself, speaks of the ingredient’s natural beauty and fresh taste.
The Invention of Sushi
Sushi is believed to have been invented in the 2nd century in the paddy fields along the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. Their sushi was made as a way to preserve raw meat without refrigeration.
Sushi in Asia
Historians believe, that sushi first made its way into China sometime during the second century. While it was a fairly standard dish in China, it never had a huge cultural impact. Later, around the 8th century, after sushi had made its way to Japan, it began to take off as a true cultural phenomenon.
The Japanese took the concept of sushi and modernized it, both in preparation and technique. The Japanese were the first to cook sushi fish. They were also the first to soak the sushi in vinegar or soy sauce. In Japan, it takes 2 to 20 years to become a fully-trained Itamae.
Sushi in the West
Sushi does not appear in Western history books until the 19th century, and there is little record indicating its consumption any time before the 20th century.
The first American sushi restaurant was opened in 1906 by Japanese immigrants in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Sushi’s popularity was slow to grow among Americans and unfortunately, after World War II began, most Americans opted to boycott all things Japanese. It was not until after the war that sushi began its steady uptick within American society. And the rest they say, is history.
Note: This stunning dish requires sushi-grade salmon and fresh ingredients to maximize the true flavor intended while maintaining maximum safety in the consumption of “raw” fish”.
Spicy Salmon Roll Sushi Bowl
Ingredients:
For the Rice:
- 2 cups white sushi rice, cooked
- 1-3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Pickled Cucumbers:
- 4 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
For the Salmon:
- 1 pound fresh boneless, skinless King salmon, small cube
- 1/4 cup Ponzu sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce
For the Garnish:
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and thinly sliced
- 1 small Daikon radish, grated
- 1/3 cup pickled ginger
- 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds, lightly toasted, if desired
Directions:
- For the Sushi Rice: Using a mixing bowl, mix the cooked rice with rice vinegar and salt. Set aside.
- For the Pickled Cucumbers: In a small mixing bowl add the cucumbers, rice wine vinegar, water, honey and salt stir to coat and let sit for 10 minutes.
- For the Dressing: In a small jam jar add the mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce and lemon juice. Shake well to blend and set aside.
- For the Salmon: In a small mixing bowl add the salmon, Ponzu sauce, sesame oil and garlic chili oil. Gently mix to blend.
- To Assemble: Divide the rice between 4 serving bowls. Divide the pickled cucumbers, salmon, avocado, Daikon radish, and ginger. Drizzle with the dressing and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Great post! This brings back fond memories–we had a Japanese student live with us when I was a kid, and we learned how to make homemade sushi from her. A fun process with delicious results!
Hi Maggie- Thank you for your lovely comment. What a wonderful memory for you and what a fantastic opportunity for a student to experience living in another country, I would have loved that as a child. Be well and stay safe.