Vibrant Marinated Fish Bowl (Printable)

A customizable bowl of marinated fish, fresh veggies, creamy avocado, and flavorful sauces in a light meal.

# What You Need:

→ Fish & Marinade

01 - 14 oz sushi-grade salmon or tuna, diced
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
04 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tsp honey or agave syrup
06 - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
07 - 1 tsp sesame seeds

→ Rice

08 - 1 ½ cups sushi rice or short-grain rice
09 - 2 cups water
10 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 1 tbsp sugar
12 - ½ tsp salt

→ Vegetables & Toppings

13 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
14 - 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
15 - 2 medium carrots, julienned
16 - 3.5 oz cooked, shelled edamame beans
17 - 4 radishes, thinly sliced
18 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
19 - 1 sheet nori, cut into thin strips
20 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
21 - Microgreens or sprouts (optional)

→ Sauces & Extras

22 - 4 tbsp spicy mayo (mix 4 tbsp mayonnaise with 1–2 tsp sriracha)
23 - Soy sauce, for drizzling
24 - Pickled ginger (optional)
25 - Lime wedges (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Allow to cool slightly.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, and sesame seeds. Add the diced fish and toss gently to coat. Refrigerate and marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
03 - Slice the avocado, cucumber, carrots, radishes, and spring onions. Cook edamame if not pre-cooked. Set all prepared toppings aside.
04 - Divide the rice evenly among four bowls. Arrange marinated fish and prepared vegetables atop the rice. Garnish with nori strips, toasted sesame seeds, and optional microgreens.
05 - Drizzle each bowl with spicy mayo and additional soy sauce to taste. Optionally, serve with pickled ginger and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that tastes restaurant-quality.
  • You can customize every single element based on what's in your fridge and what your mood calls for that day.
  • The combination of cool, fresh, and umami-rich flavors feels satisfying without making you feel sluggish afterward.
02 -
  • Don't marinate the fish for longer than 15 minutes or it starts to cure and get mushy; this is a quick flavor soak, not a ceviche situation.
  • Assemble the bowl just before eating because warm rice will wilt the avocado and soften the vegetables, turning your beautiful creation into something sad within minutes.
  • Buy fish from a fishmonger you trust and ask them directly if it's sushi-grade; grocery store labels can be misleading, and your safety and taste depend on their expertise.
03 -
  • Cook your rice a few hours ahead and let it cool completely; warm rice will turn into mush when it sits with the cold toppings.
  • Make the spicy mayo fresh and keep it separate until the last moment so it doesn't get absorbed into the rice and lose its punch.
  • If you're making multiple bowls for people, assemble the rice in each bowl first, then let people choose their own fish-to-veggie ratio when you arrange the toppings—it keeps everything fresh and lets them customize their ideal bite.
Go Back