Sushi Sailboats Fresh Fish

Featured in: One-Pot Comforts

These sushi sailboats combine fresh sushi-grade salmon and tuna with perfectly seasoned sushi rice and crisp vegetables. Rolled in nori sheets and topped with delicate daikon or carrot sails, they make an eye-catching appetizer or party platter. The combination of creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, and nutty black sesame seeds adds layers of texture and flavor. Served alongside pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce, these boats offer a delightful, fresh seafood experience that’s both fun and flavorful.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:09:00 GMT
Sushi sailboats at sea: a vibrant photo featuring assembled sushi boats on a platter, ready to serve. Save to Pinterest
Sushi sailboats at sea: a vibrant photo featuring assembled sushi boats on a platter, ready to serve. | mellowspice.com

Whimsical sushi boats crafted with fresh fish, sushi rice, and crisp vegetables, perfect for a playful appetizer or party platter.

Ingredients

  • Sushi Rice: 1 cup sushi rice, 1 1/4 cups water, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt
  • Fillings & Toppings: 100 g fresh sushi grade salmon, thinly sliced, 100 g fresh sushi grade tuna, thinly sliced, 1/2 avocado, thinly sliced, 1/2 cucumber, seeds removed, thinly sliced, 4 sheets nori (seaweed), cut in half, 2 tbsp black sesame seeds
  • Garnishes & Sail Materials: 8 thin slices daikon radish or carrot (for sails), 8 small bamboo skewers or toothpicks, 1 tbsp pickled ginger, 1 tbsp wasabi, 2 tbsp soy sauce (gluten free if needed)

Instructions

Step 1:
Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
Step 2:
In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Gently fold into the cooked rice. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
Step 3:
Lay a half sheet of nori shiny side down. With wet hands, shape a small log (about 2 tbsp) of sushi rice and place it lengthwise on the nori.
Step 4:
Top each rice log with slices of salmon, tuna, avocado, and cucumber as desired. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Step 5:
Roll the nori around the rice and toppings, leaving the top open to resemble a boat.
Step 6:
To make sails, thread a daikon or carrot slice onto a bamboo skewer or toothpick and insert upright into each sushi boat.
Step 7:
Arrange sushi sailboats on a platter. Garnish with pickled ginger and serve with wasabi and soy sauce on the side.
Save to Pinterest
| mellowspice.com

Required Tools

Rice cooker or pot with lid. Sharp knife. Bamboo skewers or toothpicks. Rolling mat (optional)

Allergen Information

Contains fish (salmon, tuna) and soy (soy sauce). Some ingredients may contain sesame. Check all labels for gluten if required.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 105. Total Fat: 2.5 g. Carbohydrates: 16 g. Protein: 5 g

Freshly assembled sushi sailboats, showcasing glistening tuna, salmon, and colorful vegetable sails for a party appetizer. Save to Pinterest
Freshly assembled sushi sailboats, showcasing glistening tuna, salmon, and colorful vegetable sails for a party appetizer. | mellowspice.com

Recipe FAQs

How do I prepare the sushi rice properly?

Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until clear, then cook with water until tender. Once cooked, gently fold in a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to season and cool to room temperature.

Can I substitute toppings for dietary preferences?

Yes, replace fish with extra avocado, mango, or marinated tofu for a vegetarian option without sacrificing flavor or texture.

What is the best way to form the sushi sailboats?

Place a small log of seasoned sushi rice on a half sheet of nori, top with sliced fish and veggies, then roll the nori around the rice, leaving the top open for an appealing boat shape.

How are the edible sails created and attached?

Thinly slice daikon radish or carrot and thread each slice onto bamboo skewers or toothpicks, then insert upright into each sushi boat to mimic sails.

What garnishes accompany these sushi boats?

They are served with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce to enhance flavor and provide traditional accents.

Is gluten-free soy sauce necessary?

Use gluten-free soy sauce if avoiding gluten to keep the dish safe for sensitive diets while maintaining authentic taste.

Sushi Sailboats Fresh Fish

Whimsical sushi sailboats with fresh fish, rice, and crisp veggies for a playful appetizer or platter.

Prep Time
35 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Overall Time
55 minutes
Created by Hannah Clarke

Recipe Category One-Pot Comforts

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Japanese Fusion

Total Yield 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Details No Dairy

What You Need

Sushi Rice

01 1 cup sushi rice
02 1 1/4 cups water
03 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 1 tablespoon sugar
05 1/2 teaspoon salt

Fillings & Toppings

01 3.5 oz fresh sushi-grade salmon, thinly sliced
02 3.5 oz fresh sushi-grade tuna, thinly sliced
03 1/2 avocado, thinly sliced
04 1/2 cucumber, seeds removed, thinly sliced
05 4 sheets nori (seaweed), halved
06 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds

Garnishes & Sail Materials

01 8 thin slices daikon radish or carrot (for sails)
02 8 small bamboo skewers or toothpicks
03 1 tablespoon pickled ginger
04 1 tablespoon wasabi
05 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free optional)

How To Make

Step 01

Cook Sushi Rice: Rinse sushi rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.

Step 02

Season Rice: In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Gently fold the mixture into the cooked rice. Allow rice to cool to room temperature.

Step 03

Form Rice Logs on Nori: Place a half-sheet of nori shiny side down. With wet hands, shape a small log of sushi rice (about 2 tablespoons) lengthwise on the nori sheet.

Step 04

Add Fillings and Toppings: Top each rice log with slices of salmon, tuna, avocado, and cucumber as desired. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds.

Step 05

Roll into Boats: Roll the nori around the rice and fillings, leaving the top open to resemble a boat shape.

Step 06

Prepare Sails: Thread a thin slice of daikon radish or carrot onto a bamboo skewer or toothpick and insert it upright into each sushi boat to serve as a sail.

Step 07

Serve: Arrange sushi sailboats on a platter. Garnish with pickled ginger and provide wasabi and soy sauce on the side.

Tools Needed

  • Rice cooker or pot with lid
  • Sharp knife
  • Bamboo skewers or toothpicks
  • Rolling mat (optional)

Allergy Details

Review all components for potential allergens and talk to your doctor with any questions.
  • Contains fish (salmon, tuna) and soy (soy sauce). May contain sesame. Verify gluten-free labels if required.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

This nutritional breakdown is for your information and isn't a substitute for health advice.
  • Total Calories: 105
  • Total Fat: 2.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Proteins: 5 g