Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe

This salmon rice bowl recipe comes together quickly for a healthy, delicious lunch or dinner (and gluten free!). It’s savory, crunchy, pickled, and fresh all in one satisfying bowl.

Let’s chat about this heart healthy recipe that you’ll want to make time and time again- salmon rice bowls. The variety of ingredients, bringing in different textures and flavors, really makes this dish shine. It’s really all the things you want dumped into a bowl. You got bright herbs like cilantro and green onion, creamy avocado, cool cucumber, and pickled daikon served with salmon over rice. What’s not to love?

If you watch any short food videos, then you saw Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowl recipe go viral last year. She takes reheated leftover rice and salmon and mixes it with soy sauce, Kewpie, and sriracha. Is the TikTok salmon rice bowl worth the hype? We think it’s delicious. 

This salmon rice bowl recipe plays off the viral salmon rice bowl version. We put the sauce on the side to be drizzled on and add other ingredients. The sauce gives extra fattiness and spice. We like putting it on the side because you can add as much as you like, but it also lets the other ingredients shine.

The great thing about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can swap the salmon for proteins like chicken or pork. Add whatever veggies and herbs to your personal preference. If you’d like to make this bowl vegan, you could swap out the fish for tempeh or tofu and use vegan mayo to make the sauce.

Not interested in this recipe? Try this beef yakisoba, or if you’re looking for a vegetarian version, try this tofu buddha bowl!

Salmon rice bowl ingredients

• Salmon: salmon cooked (or sushi grade raw) anyway you like would work, but for this recipe, we use our Soy & Ginger Oven Baked Salmon and it is *chef’s kiss.* The fish is baked in a lovely marinade that includes oyster sauce, soy sauce, and mirin making it a perfect combination of flavors for a rice bowl.
• Green onion: personally, no rice bowl is complete without a solid amount of chopped green onion.
• Rice: we use a short grain white rice that provides the perfect bed for the salmon and all the delicious toppings. Brown rice or quinoa would also work nicely. We always make our rice in a rice cooker. If you don’t have one, I can’t recommend enough that you buy one. Ours cost around $40 and the fluffy, perfectly cooked rice it produces makes this purchase worth every penny. But of course, if you don’t have one, making rice in a pot will do just fine.
• Cucumber: adds crunch and freshness. This recipe uses sliced raw cucumbers, but a quick pickled cucumber would also be amazing. Just thinly slice cucumbers, toss with salt, and put in a bowl with a little bit of rice vinegar. 
• Avocado: this healthy fat adds a beautiful creaminess.
• Pickled daikon radish: we used danmuji, a Korean pickled radish from our local Asian market, and having this crunchy, pickled topping in this salmon bowl is amazing. If you don’t have any or would like to make your own, it’s very easy to make. You simply slice daikon into half moons. Then bring water, rice vinegar, sugar, salt and turmeric (or traditionally used cape jasmine seeds) to a boil, pour the mixture over the radish, and let sit for a few minutes.
• Furikake: this Japanese condiment- made of sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, dried fish, MSG, sugar and salt- adds saltiness and savoriness. You can find furikake at your grocery store or local Asian market. I personally could sprinkle furikake on pretty much anything, that’s how much I love it.
• Cilantro: adds freshness
• Nori (roasted seaweed sheets): the salty, crunchy seaweed is great for making them perfect little bites and eating it with your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can the Salmon Be Prepared to Achieve a Crispy Exterior While Ensuring the Interior Remains Tender and Moist?

Achieving the perfect texture for salmon can be a concern for many home cooks. To achieve a crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender and moist, consider techniques such as pan-searing the salmon with a high heat oil like avocado oil or using a hot grill. Start by patting the salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps promote crispiness. Season the salmon generously with salt and pepper or your preferred seasoning blend before cooking. Ensure that the cooking surface, whether a pan or grill, is properly preheated to create a sear, then cook the salmon for a few minutes on each side until it reaches your desired level of doneness.

Are There Recommended Substitutes for the Salmon in the Recipe for Those Who Prefer Vegetarian or Vegan Options?

For individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets or those who prefer alternatives to salmon, there are several substitutes that can be used in the recipe. Consider replacing the salmon with protein sources such as tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. For a vegan alternative, marinated and grilled portobello mushrooms or seasoned cauliflower florets can provide a satisfying texture and flavor profile similar to salmon. Experimenting with different plant-based proteins allows for customization according to dietary preferences and taste preferences.

Can the Rice Bowl Be Assembled in Advance and Stored for Later Consumption, or Is It Best Enjoyed Immediately After Preparation?

Many readers may wonder about the convenience of preparing the rice bowl in advance for future meals. While some components of the rice bowl, such as the rice and vegetables, can be prepared in advance and stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, it’s recommended to cook the salmon fresh for optimal taste and texture. Assembling the rice bowl with fresh ingredients just before serving helps maintain the integrity of each component and ensures a satisfying dining experience. However, leftover components can be stored separately and assembled into rice bowls for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.