Colorful Chirashizushi Bowl
Experience the vibrant flavors of Japan with this delightful Chirashizushi Bowl, where fresh sushi toppings are artistically scattered over flavorful sushi rice. Unlike traditional nigiri sushi, which requires years of training to master, Chirashizushi offers an accessible and enjoyable way for home cooks to savor the essence of sushi. This dish combines seafood, vegetables, and delicate egg shreds, making it both visually appealing and delicious. Use sushi-grade fish for the best results, or opt for alternatives like shrimp or crab meat. Perfect for family gatherings or a special dinner, this colorful bowl will surely impress your guests with its harmony of textures and tastes.
N/A
Servings
180
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
rice vinegar
1/4 cup (for sushi rice and toppings)
sugar
2 teaspoons + 2 tablespoons (for toppings and sushi rice)
raw shrimp
6 ounces (peeled and deveined)
salt
to taste (for boiling water and toppings)
English cucumber
1 small (cut into matchsticks)
ripe avocados
2 (cubed)
snow peas
12-20 (trimmed)
large eggs
2 (beaten)
canola oil
1 tablespoon (or any neutral oil for cooking eggs)
smoked salmon
2 ounces (cut into bite-sized strips (optional))
soy sauce
2 tablespoons (for mushrooms and serving)
mirin
1 teaspoon (for chicken and seasoning)
sake
1 tablespoon (for mushrooms)
toasted sesame seeds
to garnish (optional)
shredded nori
to garnish (torn into small pieces)
wasabi
to serve (optional)
Instructions
1
In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar with 1 teaspoon of sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves. If you're using raw shrimp, bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and begin to curl, about 3 minutes. Drain and let them cool before slicing each shrimp in half lengthwise. Marinate the shrimp in the vinegar mixture for up to 1 hour. If using crabmeat or surimi, do the same.
2
Prepare the vegetables: Cut the English cucumber in half crosswise, then into thin matchsticks measuring 1–2 inches. Cut the avocados into cubes and sprinkle with rice vinegar to prevent browning. For the snow peas, blanch them in boiling water for 1 minute, then shock them in ice water. Drain, slice diagonally, and set aside.
3
For the egg topping, beat 2 large eggs with a fork and add the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of salt. Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour in the egg mixture, swirling to cover the bottom. Cook gently, lifting the edges as the uncooked egg flows underneath until the bottom is set, about 4–5 minutes. Carefully remove the cooked egg, blot dry, and shred into fine strips (kinshi tamago). Set aside.
4
To prepare the shiitake mushrooms, heat a small saucepan with 2 cups of water, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and 2 tablespoons of sugar over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the mushrooms and cook for 15–20 minutes, until the liquid is reduced and mushrooms are flavorful. Let them cool in the liquid, then thinly slice.
5
For the sushi rice, combine 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until dissolved. In a large bowl, place 3 cups of hot cooked rice, drizzle the warm vinegar mixture over it, and gently mix using a wooden spatula, cutting down and folding the rice until evenly combined. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
6
Mix the mushrooms into the cooled rice, ensuring an even distribution. Spoon the rice mixture into four bowls and artistically arrange the shrimp or crab, omelet shreds, smoked salmon (if using), cucumber, avocado, and snow peas on top. Garnish with torn nori and toasted sesame seeds. Serve at room temperature with soy sauce and optional wasabi on the side.
Nutrition Information
9.5g
Fat
17.5g
Carbs
8.5g
Protein
2g
Fiber
1.75g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Colorful Chirashizushi Bowl?
It is a vibrant Japanese dish where fresh sushi toppings are artistically scattered over flavorful sushi rice instead of being shaped into nigiri.
Is Chirashizushi difficult for home cooks to make?
No, it is an accessible and enjoyable way for home cooks to enjoy the essence of sushi without the years of training required for traditional nigiri.
How do I prepare the shrimp for this recipe?
Boil raw shrimp in salted water for 3 minutes until pink and curled, then drain, cool, and slice in half lengthwise.
How long should the shrimp or crab meat be marinated?
The shrimp or crab meat should be marinated in the rice vinegar and sugar mixture for up to 1 hour.
What can I use instead of shrimp?
You can use crab meat or surimi as a substitute for shrimp in this bowl.
How do I keep the avocados from turning brown?
Sprinkle the cubed avocados with rice vinegar to prevent browning.
What is the correct way to cut the English cucumber?
Cut the cucumber in half crosswise, then into thin matchsticks measuring 1 to 2 inches long.
How should the snow peas be cooked?
Blanch them in boiling water for 1 minute, shock them in ice water, then drain and slice them diagonally.
How do I make the kinshi tamago egg topping?
Beat 2 eggs with sugar and salt, cook in a pan for 4-5 minutes until set, then shred into fine strips.
What liquid is used to cook the shiitake mushrooms?
The mushrooms are simmered in a mixture of 2 cups of water, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.
How long do the shiitake mushrooms need to cook?
They should be cooked for 15-20 minutes until the liquid is reduced and they are flavorful.
When should I slice the shiitake mushrooms?
Let the mushrooms cool in their cooking liquid first, then thinly slice them.
How is the sushi rice seasoned?
Combine 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon salt over low heat until dissolved, then drizzle over hot rice.
What is the best technique for mixing the sushi rice?
Use a wooden spatula to gently mix the vinegar into the rice using a cutting down and folding motion.
Should the rice be served hot?
No, the sushi rice should be allowed to cool to room temperature before serving.
Can I add smoked salmon to this dish?
Yes, you can add 2 ounces of smoked salmon cut into bite-sized strips as an optional topping.
How are the mushrooms incorporated into the final bowl?
The sliced mushrooms are mixed directly into the cooled sushi rice before adding the other toppings.
What garnishes are recommended for this recipe?
Garnish the bowl with torn shredded nori and toasted sesame seeds.
What condiments should be served with the bowl?
Serve the bowl with soy sauce and optional wasabi on the side.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 180 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this dish?
This recipe contains 9.5 grams of fat per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 17.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this bowl provide?
One serving provides 8.5 grams of protein.
Does this recipe contain fiber?
Yes, there are 2 grams of fiber per serving.
What is the sugar content of this recipe?
This recipe contains 1.75 grams of sugar per serving.
What type of oil is used for frying the eggs?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of canola oil or any neutral oil.
How many ingredients are used in total?
The recipe uses 16 ingredients in total.
Is sushi-grade fish necessary for this bowl?
The recipe recommends using sushi-grade fish for the best results, though alternatives like shrimp are provided.
Is sake used in the recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of sake is used specifically for flavoring the mushrooms.
How many eggs are required for the topping?
The recipe requires 2 large eggs to make the shredded egg topping.