
Chirashi Sushi Bowl
Seasoned sushi rice topped with seared salmon, prawns, egg ribbons and crisp vegetables. It uses cooked fish only, so it is easy to make at home and makes a colourful lunch.
Published 1 Oct 2026Tested by Hina Ikram
Ingredients
Equipment: Medium saucepan with lid, non-stick frying pan, wide bowl or tray for cooling rice, sharp knife
Method
Rinse the rice in a bowl of cold water, swirling and draining, until the water runs almost clear. Drain well, then leave it in the saucepan with the 360 ml water to soak.
Cover the pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to the lowest heat and cook, still covered, until the water is absorbed and small steam holes appear on the surface. Do not lift the lid during cooking.
Turn off the heat and leave the pan covered so the rice finishes steaming. Meanwhile, stir the vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp salt in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
Tip the hot rice into a wide bowl. Pour over the vinegar mixture and fold gently with a cutting motion, without mashing. Fan the rice for a minute or two until it looks glossy and is just warm, then cover with a damp cloth.
Season the salmon all over with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in the frying pan over medium-high heat and cook the salmon for 3 minutes per side, until golden outside and opaque throughout (63°C inside). Rest it, then flake or slice into bite-size pieces.
Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil and cook the prawns for about 2 minutes, until pink, curled and opaque. Drain and cool, then halve them lengthwise if large.
Beat the eggs with 1 tsp sugar and the light soy sauce. Wipe the clean pan with 1 tsp oil over medium-low heat and pour in half the egg to make a thin omelette. Cook about 1 minute until set, flip briefly, and slide out. Repeat with the rest.
Roll the cooled omelettes and slice into thin ribbons. Divide the rice among four bowls and arrange the salmon, prawns, egg ribbons, cucumber and avocado on top.
Finish with nori strips, spring onions, pickled ginger and sesame seeds. Serve at once with soy sauce and wasabi on the side.
Cooking tips
- Rinse the rice until the water is nearly clear; this keeps the grains separate and not gluey.
- Fold the vinegar into the rice while it is still hot so it absorbs the seasoning, and use a wooden or plastic spoon.
- Cut the cucumber and avocado last so they stay fresh and bright.
- Cook the salmon fully and cook prawns until opaque; this recipe is made without any raw fish.
Substitutions
- Sushi rice: use any Japanese short-grain rice or Italian arborio, rinsed well, and cook with slightly less water (about 330 ml).
- Salmon: use any firm white fish such as sole or cod, or cooked chicken breast.
- Rice vinegar: use white vinegar with an extra ½ tsp sugar, or apple cider vinegar.
- Prawns: leave out, or use extra egg or sliced cooked mushrooms for a pescatarian-free, lighter bowl.
Serve with
Serve with miso soup or a small bowl of edamame. A little extra soy sauce and wasabi on the side lets everyone season their own bowl.
Storage
Keep rice and toppings in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 1 day. Rice turns hard when chilled, so it is best eaten fresh. Do not store the avocado cut.
Reheating
Warm the rice in the microwave with a splash of water, covered, for 45–60 seconds. Serve the salmon, prawns and egg cold or at room temperature, or warm the salmon gently for 30 seconds.
Nutrition per serving, estimated
Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.
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