Easy Smoked Salmon Sushi Bowl with Creamy Avocado: Your Ultimate No-Roll Recipe
Welcome to the world of stress-free sushi! The Smoked Salmon Sushi Bowl with Creamy Avocado is the ultimate shortcut for every sushi lover. Forget the frustration of tearing nori sheets or rolls falling apart; this recipe delivers all the exquisite flavors and textures of your favorite sushi in a vibrant, easy-to-assemble bowl. Imagine perfectly seasoned sushi rice forming the base, topped with silky, tender smoked salmon, rich and creamy avocado, crisp, peppery radish, and crunchy nori. It’s a symphony of tastes – salty, sweet, tangy, and savory – all coming together in minutes.
This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience designed for convenience without compromising on quality. Whether you’re looking for a quick, healthy lunch, a light yet satisfying dinner, or an efficient meal prep solution, this smoked salmon sushi bowl fits the bill perfectly. It’s fresh, colorful, packed with nutrients, and so incredibly simple to put together, you’ll wonder why you ever spent time rolling sushi in the first place. Prepare to be hooked on this delicious and effortlessly elegant Japanese-inspired dish!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Smoked Salmon Sushi Bowl Recipe
For years, the idea of raw fish wrapped in rice seemed a step too adventurous for my palate. Then, one memorable evening in a cozy Japanese restaurant, I tried my first sushi roll. It was a revelation! From that moment on, I was completely captivated by the delicate balance of flavors and textures in sushi. However, my enthusiasm for eating sushi often clashed with the reality of making perfect, intricate rolls at home. The delicate nori sheets, the precise rice spreading, the fear of the roll falling apart – it felt more like a stressful culinary challenge than a joyful cooking experience.
That’s where the brilliance of the sushi bowl comes in. It’s a game-changer for anyone who adores the taste of sushi but prefers a more laid-back approach to cooking. With a sushi bowl, you get all the incredible flavors, the vibrant freshness, and the aesthetic beauty of a beautifully crafted sushi plate, without any of the rolling fuss. It’s a truly effortless way to enjoy a meal that feels both gourmet and incredibly satisfying.
For this particular bowl, smoked salmon stands out as my ingredient of choice. Not only is it incredibly easy to find in most supermarkets, but its silky, melt-in-your-mouth texture is consistently reliable and luxurious. Unlike raw fish, smoked salmon requires no special preparation or concerns about freshness, making it a perfect, safe option for home cooks. When paired with the creamy richness of ripe avocado and the refreshing, peppery crunch of thinly sliced radish, every spoonful offers a delightful contrast that keeps you coming back for more.
One of the biggest advantages of this easy sushi bowl recipe is its efficiency. I often prepare the sushi rice ahead of time, allowing it to cool and absorb all its savory-sweet seasoning. Then, when hunger strikes, assembling the bowl takes literally five minutes flat. It’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or even a healthy weekend brunch when you crave something special but don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen. This recipe truly redefines convenience in delicious ways.
This fantastic recipe is thoughtfully adapted for the foodblogswap community from a delightful original by culi-sandra, a wonderful Dutch blog.
Essential Tips for Your Perfect Smoked Salmon Sushi Bowl with Radish and Nori
Crafting the perfect sushi bowl is all about the details. Here are some pro tips to elevate your smoked salmon sushi bowl from good to absolutely unforgettable:
- Optimal Salmon Preparation: For the best eating experience, consider cutting your smoked salmon into bite-sized cubes or thin strips. This ensures an even distribution of flavor and makes each spoonful a delight, rather than dealing with large, unwieldy pieces.
- Radish Perfection: Don’t underestimate the power of a thinly sliced radish! Using a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife will allow you to achieve paper-thin slices. This delicate cut provides a fantastic, subtle peppery crunch without overpowering the other ingredients, and it adds a beautiful pop of color.
- Nutty Sesame Boost: Toasted sesame seeds are a must-have garnish. They add a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor, along with a pleasant textural contrast. You can use white, black, or a mix of both for an extra visual appeal.
- Authentic Nori Flavor: Nori sheets are crucial for that unmistakable sushi taste. Instead of trying to wrap them, simply tear or snip them into small, irregular strips or flakes. Sprinkle them generously over your bowl just before serving to ensure they retain their crispness and infuse every bite with that authentic oceanic umami.
- Customizing the Tang: If you prefer a more pronounced tanginess in your sushi rice, don’t hesitate to add a small dash more rice vinegar to the seasoning mixture. Taste as you go to achieve your perfect balance. Remember, the vinegar also helps to preserve the rice slightly.
- Smart Meal Prep for Rice: The sushi rice can be prepared well in advance. Cook it the night before or several hours before lunch, then season it and let it cool completely in the fridge. This not only saves you precious time when you’re ready to eat but also allows the rice to develop its signature texture and flavor. Just be sure to bring it closer to room temperature before serving for the best experience.
- Avocado Freshness: While many ingredients can be prepped ahead, it’s best to slice and add the avocado just before serving. This prevents it from browning and ensures it retains its vibrant green color and creamy texture.
- Temperature Matters: While the rice is best served slightly cool or at room temperature, ensure your salmon and other fresh toppings are chilled for a refreshing contrast.

Did you make this delicious Smoked Salmon Sushi Bowl recipe? We’d absolutely love to see your culinary masterpiece! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I genuinely enjoy seeing your creations and regularly share the most beautiful photos from my wonderful community of home cooks. Did you enjoy this easy sushi bowl? Then please take a moment to leave a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback helps not only other aspiring home cooks but also me immensely.
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📖 Recipe Card: Smoked Salmon Sushi Bowl
RECIPE CARD
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Andréa
2 votes
Pin Recipe
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Appetizer
Asian, Japanese
2
bowls
632
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
9
oz.
sushi rice
(cooked according to package instructions) -
1
teaspoon
rice vinegar -
1
teaspoon
sugar -
2
teaspoons
Japanese soy sauce -
½
avocado,
cubed -
3
radishes,
thinly sliced (use a mandoline for best results) -
4
oz.
smoked salmon,
cubed or flaked
Garnish
-
nori sheets,
torn into strips or flakes -
sesame seeds
(toasted for extra flavor)
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
US Customary
Instructions
-
Cook the sushi rice according to the package instructions. After cooking, remove from heat but keep it covered for an additional 10 minutes. This allows the steam to fully absorb, resulting in perfectly fluffy and tender rice.9 oz. sushi rice -
Once the rice is cooked and slightly cooled (preferably still warm), gently stir in the rice vinegar, sugar, and Japanese soy sauce until thoroughly combined. The warmth helps the flavors integrate. Then, spread the seasoned rice onto a large plate or baking sheet to cool completely. You can place it in the fridge to speed up the process, ensuring it’s chilled before assembly.1 teaspoon rice vinegar,
1 teaspoon sugar,
2 teaspoons Japanese soy sauce -
Once the seasoned sushi rice is cool, divide it evenly between two serving bowls, forming a sturdy base for your toppings. -
Artfully arrange the cubed avocado, thinly sliced radish, and the delicious smoked salmon (cubes or flakes) on top of the rice in each bowl. Feel free to create a visually appealing arrangement!½ avocado,
3 radishes,
4 oz. smoked salmon -
Finish your bowls with a generous sprinkle of torn nori strips and toasted sesame seeds. For an extra touch, you might add a drizzle of sriracha mayo or a sprinkle of chopped scallions.nori sheets,
sesame seeds -
Now, take a deep breath, grab your favorite chopsticks, and savor every fresh, flavorful bite of your homemade smoked salmon sushi bowl!
Notes
2. Do I have to use sushi rice? For the authentic texture and flavor of a sushi bowl, using proper sushi rice (short-grain Japanese rice) is highly recommended. It has the right amount of starch to become perfectly sticky and absorbent when cooked and seasoned, which is essential for the dish’s integrity. Other types of rice, such as long-grain or brown rice, won’t achieve the same desirable sticky consistency or absorb the seasoning as effectively.
3. Can I make this ahead? Yes, this sushi bowl is fantastic for meal prep! You can cook and season the sushi rice up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chop your radishes and have your smoked salmon ready. However, for the best quality and to prevent browning, do not slice and add the avocado until just before serving. This ensures its vibrant color and creamy texture are perfectly fresh.
4. Variations to Customize Your Bowl:
- Extra Crunch: Add some thinly sliced cucumber sticks or shredded carrots for an additional refreshing crunch and visual appeal.
- Protein Swap: As mentioned, you can easily swap smoked salmon for cooked shrimp, shredded chicken, or even marinated tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Creamy Kick: Mix a teaspoon of wasabi into a tablespoon of mayonnaise for a quick and easy creamy wasabi mayo sauce. Drizzle it over your bowl for a delightful spicy and rich addition. Sriracha mayo is another popular choice!
- Pickled Goodness: Add some pickled ginger or quick-pickled cucumbers for an extra tangy and refreshing element.
- Vegetable Boost: Bell peppers, edamame, or even thinly sliced mango can add more color, flavor, and nutrients.
5. Storage Guidelines:
- This smoked salmon sushi bowl is best enjoyed fresh, ideally within a few hours of assembly for optimal taste and texture.
- If you have leftovers, store them (without avocado) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Always add fresh avocado just before serving any stored leftovers to maintain its quality. The rice might firm up a bit when chilled, but it’s still delicious!
6. Health Benefits: This bowl is not just tasty, it’s also packed with goodness! Smoked salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart and brain health. Avocado provides healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber, while radishes offer vitamins and a detoxifying kick. Sushi rice, while a carbohydrate, provides quick energy, and nori is rich in iodine and other minerals.
Nutrition
Calories:
632
kcal
Carbohydrates:
111
g
Protein:
21
g
Fat:
11
g
Saturated Fat:
2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
6
g
Cholesterol:
13
mg
Sodium:
799
mg
Fiber:
7
g
Sugar:
3
g
Vitamin A:
123
IU
Vitamin C:
6
mg
Iron:
3
mg
easy sushi bowl, healthy lunch, Japanese recipe, meal prep, no-roll sushi, smoked salmon, sushi bowl recipe, quick dinner, avocado, radish
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More Delicious Japanese-Inspired Recipes
If you loved this easy sushi bowl, you’re in for a treat! Explore more delightful Japanese and Asian-inspired dishes that are perfect for home cooking.
- Smoked Salmon & Wasabi Potato Latkes
- Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce
- Saucy Teriyaki Meatballs (with Ground Beef, Easy recipe)