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Neatly portioned California Roll inspired bento box with rice, avocado, crab, and cucumber for healthy meal prep. 2

Balanced Bento Box California Roll Bowls


  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 bowls 1x

Description

All the flavors of a California roll, deconstructed into a colorful, packable bento bowl that’s perfect for healthy meal prep.


Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups sushi rice, rinsed

1 3/4 cups water

3 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp fine salt

12 oz imitation crab sticks, shredded (or 8 oz real crab or cooked shrimp)

2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)

1 large cucumber, thinly sliced

2 medium avocados, sliced

1 cup shelled edamame, cooked

4 sheets roasted nori or seaweed snacks, cut into strips

2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari

2 tbsp sriracha mayo (optional)

Pickled ginger, for serving (optional)

1 lemon or lime, in wedges


Instructions

1. Cook rice: Combine rinsed sushi rice and water; cook in a rice cooker or pot until tender. Rest 10 minutes.

2. Season rice: Warm rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to dissolve; fold into hot rice and cool to room temp.

3. Prepare protein: Shred imitation crab (or flake crab/shrimp). Mix with mayo if using; season to taste.

4. Prep veg: Slice cucumber; slice avocados and toss lightly with lemon or lime to slow browning. Cook edamame if needed.

5. Assemble: Divide rice among 4 containers. Top with crab, cucumber, avocado, and edamame. Add nori strips and sesame seeds.

6. Finish and store: Pack soy/tamari and sriracha mayo separately. Refrigerate up to 3 days; add avocado and nori at serving for best texture.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes