While Sushi Bake isn’t traditional Japanese sushi, it’s a fun and flavorful fusion dish that is great for parties and potlucks!

@sylvia.wakana
It may be blasphemous but it’s so good 🥰 #sushibake #cooking #selfcaresunday
♬ pastel skies – Rook1e

What is a sushi bake?

Sushi Bake is a popular casserole-style dish that is inspired by sushi – specifically, the California roll. It’s warm, creamy, and extremely delicious. While many sushi traditionalists will turn their noses up at fusion dishes like this, I think it’s worth trying. I appreciate and love high quality sushi, but I also appreciate and love sushi bakes (just like how I love Taco Bell but am aware it’s not real Mexican food).

Let’s talk about the components (& alternatives)

The rice

To make this really “sushi,” you need to have seasoned sushi rice. You can use any Japanese rice (short or medium grain) but it needs to be Japanese rice. Japanese rice has a specific stickiness and texture that helps the dish stay together without being mushy (the same reason why it’s the only rice that can be used for sushi). You can find a complete guide with tips on how to make the best sushi rice at home here.

You can buy Japanese rice online (I have some linked in my Pantry or below in the Shop This Post section), at Japanese or Asian markets, or at some select non-Asian markets.

Furikake

Furikake is a type of rice seasoning. While there are many, many varieties, most have seaweed and sesame seeds along with other ingredients (like dried, flaked fish). It’s a very multi-purpose seasoning which makes it very fun to use.

You can buy furikake online (I have some linked in my Pantry or below in the Shop This Post section), at Japanese markets, and at most Asian markets.

Imitation Crab (or other seafood)

The most common main ingredient in the topping portion of a sushi bake is imitation crab (which is actually made of fish). You can also use canned crab or real crab. If you don’t like crab, some other options is to use flaked salmon, tuna, or shrimp! Sometimes I mix the seafood (like crab & salmon). So delicious!

Imitation crab can be found at Japanese and Asian grocery stores.

Kewpie Mayonnaise

Kewpie mayonnaise is the most popular type of Japanese mayo. While you can use other types of mayo, I recommend using Kewpie if you have access to it. Kewpie is more rich, flavorful, and creamier than regular mayo. It definitely makes the flavor and texture much better.

You can buy Kewpie mayo online (I have some linked in my Pantry or below in the Shop This Post section), at Japanese or Asian markets, and at select non-Asian markets.

Cream Cheese

People often ask me if cream cheese needs to be included in this dish. While you can make it without cream cheese, it is significantly better with cream cheese. I will say, when I think of sushi + cream cheese I think of Philadelphia rolls, which I don’t love all too much. However, the cream cheese really helps keep the topping together and makes the texture nice and creamy. Also, you can barely taste it (if at all!). So try it with cream cheese first!

Sriracha

Sriracha is an originally-Thai hot sauce that is popular with Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It is not Japanese at all. Honestly, it’s quite difficult to find Sriracha in Japan. But in the West, it’s often used to make spicy mayo or spicy tuna.

You can buy Sriracha online (I have it linked below in the Shop This Post section), at Japanese or Asian markets, and at select non-Asian markets.

Eel Sauce

Eel sauce, called unagi no tare or kabayaki sauce, is a sauce similar to teriyaki that is used for grilled eel. It’s very common in the United States to find this on sushi (specifically, rolls). This gives a nice sweetness and extra umami to the dish.

You can buy eel sauce online (I have some linked in my Pantry or below in the Shop This Post section), at Japanese or Asian markets, and at select non-Asian markets.

Nori

Nori is dried, toasted seaweed that is usually used to hold sushi rolls together. I recommend cutting the nori into little squares or rectangles and putting your sushi bake on the nori and enjoying it this way. It adds a nice crunchy texture and even more umami flavor. You can also used seasoned Korean seaweed.

You can buy nori online (I have some linked in my Pantry or below in the Shop This Post section), at Japanese or Asian markets, and at select non-Asian markets.

Other optional ingredients

Some other ingredients you can use to top your Sushi Bake are:

green onions
avocado
cucumber
salad mix
jalapeno
masago

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