Will the Real California Sushi Roll Please Stand Up

Roll into sushi perfection with "Will the Real California Sushi Roll Please Stand Up," a fresh and flavorful twist on the classic California roll. Featuring sushi rice seasoned with a delicate blend of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, this recipe layers bright strips of cucumber, creamy avocado, and savory imitation crab within a crisp sheet of nori. The magic happens with the inside-out rolling technique, where a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds enhances every bite with its nutty crunch. Perfectly portioned into bite-sized pieces, this crowd-pleasing sushi is ideal for dinner parties, weeknight indulgence, or simply impressing your taste buds at home. Serve alongside soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi for that authentic sushi experience. Mastering this recipe means bringing the sushi bar to your kitchen—no takeout menu required!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 5

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Sushi rice
• 2 cups Water
• 3 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 8 pieces Imitation crab sticks (kani)
• 1 large Avocado
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 5 sheets Nori (seaweed sheets)
• 2 tablespoons Toasted sesame seeds
• 0 optional Soy sauce (for serving)
• 0 optional Pickled ginger (for serving)
• 0 optional Wasabi (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the sushi rice. Rinse the 1.5 cups of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch.

Step 2

Add the rinsed rice and 2 cups of water to a rice cooker or pot. Cook until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed. Let it cool slightly.

Step 3

In a small saucepan, combine 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1.5 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 4

Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl. Pour the vinegar mixture evenly over the rice, gently folding it in with a spatula to avoid crushing the grains. Let the rice cool to room temperature, covering it with a damp cloth to prevent drying out.

Step 5

Prepare the fillings. Slice the cucumber into thin matchsticks and cut the avocado into thin slices. Set aside with 8 imitation crab sticks.

Step 6

Place a bamboo sushi mat on a clean surface and cover it with plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Lay one nori sheet, shiny side down, on the mat.

Step 7

Wet your hands with water to prevent the sticky rice from adhering. Take a handful of prepared sushi rice and spread it evenly over the nori, leaving about 1 inch of nori uncovered at the top edge for sealing.

Step 8

Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds evenly over the rice for added flavor and texture.

Step 9

Gently flip the nori sheet over so the rice faces down on the plastic wrap. Arrange a few slices of cucumber, avocado, and 2 crab sticks in a horizontal line across the middle of the nori.

Step 10

Using the bamboo mat, carefully roll the sushi away from you, applying gentle pressure to create a tight roll. Use the uncovered edge of the nori to seal the roll by moistening it slightly with water.

Step 11

Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients to create a total of 5 rolls.

Step 12

Using a sharp knife, slice each roll into 6-8 even pieces, cleaning the knife with a damp cloth between cuts for a clean presentation.

Step 13

Arrange the sushi on a serving platter and garnish with optional soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi on the side.

Step 14

Enjoy your homemade California sushi rolls!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1513.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1197.0

Total Fat 38.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.7g
Cholesterol 44.8mg	0%
Sodium 5601.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 180.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.4g	0%
Total Sugars 40.8g
Protein 35.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 315.9mg	0%
Iron 7.3mg	0%
Potassium 1916.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.8%

Protein: 11.7%

Carbs: 59.5%