Emily Mariko Salmon Rice Bowl (Printable)

Tender salmon, seasoned rice, creamy avocado, spicy mayo, and crisp seaweed in a customizable, sushi-inspired bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Fish & Protein

01 - 1 (6 oz / 170 g) cooked salmon fillet, skin removed and flaked

→ Rice

02 - 2 cups cooked short-grain rice (preferably leftover and chilled)

→ Sauces & Condiments

03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon Japanese mayonnaise (e.g., Kewpie)
05 - 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

06 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
07 - 1 green onion, thinly sliced (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Seaweed

09 - 6-8 small roasted seaweed sheets (nori snack sheets)

# Steps:

01 - Place the cooked rice in a microwave-safe bowl. Top with flaked salmon and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
02 - Cover the bowl loosely (use parchment or a microwave cover) and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, until the rice and salmon are heated through.
03 - Drizzle the warm salmon and rice with Japanese mayonnaise and sriracha. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce if desired.
04 - Gently mix everything together until well combined.
05 - Top with sliced avocado, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds.
06 - Serve with roasted seaweed sheets on the side. To eat, scoop a bite of the salmon rice mixture onto a seaweed sheet and enjoy like a hand roll.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 25 minutes but tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • The combination of warm rice, cool avocado, and spicy mayo creates this perfect temperature and texture contrast that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • You can customize every element to match your mood, whether you want extra heat or creamier richness.
02 -
  • Day-old rice makes all the difference—fresh warm rice becomes mushy and gluey when mixed, but chilled rice maintains its texture and separates beautifully.
  • Don't skip the microwave step even if you have warm rice; heating everything together allows the flavors to meld rather than feeling like separate components sitting in a bowl.
03 -
  • Keep your ingredients prepped and ready before you start microwaving—this bowl comes together so quickly that scrambling mid-way ruins the flow.
  • If your salmon is leftover from another meal, it actually tastes better because the flavors have settled and deepened overnight.
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