Sushi Sailboats at Sea

Featured in: Snacktime Favorites

These sushi sailboats offer a playful twist on classic sushi, combining perfectly seasoned sushi rice with fresh salmon, tuna, and crisp vegetables. Wrapped in nori and topped with black sesame seeds, each boat is garnished with daikon or carrot sails for a charming presentation. This medium-difficulty preparation suits Japanese fusion cuisine lovers seeking a creative appetizer. Serve with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce for a balanced flavor profile. Variations include vegetarian substitutions and gluten-free options.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:33:00 GMT
Delectable sushi sailboats at sea, featuring fresh salmon and tuna atop seasoned sushi rice. Save
Delectable sushi sailboats at sea, featuring fresh salmon and tuna atop seasoned sushi rice. | frizplo.com

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

This recipe brings fun to the table and always impresses my guests with its vibrant presentation and flavors.

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
Colorful sushi sailboats, a playful Japanese appetizer served with wasabi and soy sauce. Save
Colorful sushi sailboats, a playful Japanese appetizer served with wasabi and soy sauce. | frizplo.com

This dish has become a favorite in our family gatherings bringing joy and yummy flavors to everyone.

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 per boat

Perfectly crafted sushi boats filled with fresh ingredients: a delightful party platter of sushi. Save
Perfectly crafted sushi boats filled with fresh ingredients: a delightful party platter of sushi. | frizplo.com

Enjoy crafting these delightful sushi sailboats and savor the fresh flavors with your loved ones.

Recipe FAQ

How is the sushi rice prepared for the sailboats?

The sushi rice is rinsed until clear, simmered with water, then seasoned with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt before cooling to room temperature.

What types of fish are used in these sushi boats?

Fresh sushi-grade salmon and tuna are thinly sliced and layered over the rice logs inside the nori sheets.

How are the sails for the sushi boats created?

Thin slices of daikon radish or carrot are threaded onto bamboo skewers or toothpicks and inserted upright into each sushi boat to resemble sails.

Can this dish be made vegetarian?

Yes, fish can be replaced with extra avocado, mango, or marinated tofu to create a vegetarian-friendly version.

What are suitable accompaniments for serving?

Pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce (gluten-free if needed) complement the flavors and enhance the overall taste experience.

Sushi Sailboats at Sea

Fresh fish and crisp vegetables combine in delicate sushi sailboats for a playful, visually stunning appetizer.

Prep duration
35 min
Time to cook
20 min
Complete duration
55 min
Created by Madison Young

Classification Snacktime Favorites

Complexity Level Medium

Cultural Origin Japanese Fusion

Output 8 Portion Count

Dietary requirements No Dairy, No Gluten

Components

Sushi Rice

01 1 cup sushi rice
02 1 1/4 cups water
03 2 tbsp rice vinegar
04 1 tbsp sugar
05 1/2 tsp 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, seeded and thinly sliced
05 4 sheets nori (seaweed), halved
06 2 tbsp 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 tbsp pickled ginger
04 1 tbsp wasabi
05 2 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if preferred)

Directions

Step 01

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

Step 02

Season Rice: Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until dissolved. Gently fold mixture into cooked rice. Allow 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 approximately 2 tablespoons of rice into a small log and place lengthwise on the nori.

Step 04

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

Step 05

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

Step 06

Construct Sails: Thread a daikon or carrot slice onto a bamboo skewer or toothpick and insert upright into each sushi boat to create sails.

Step 07

Serve: Arrange sushi sailboats on a serving platter. Garnish with pickled ginger and serve alongside wasabi and soy sauce.

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if you're uncertain.
  • Contains fish (salmon, tuna), soy (soy sauce), and sesame.

Nutritional breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy Content: 105
  • Fats: 2.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Proteins: 5 g