My 2nd most viral recipe video
My 2nd most viral recipe video is a medium Japanese recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Alissa Nguyen formerly Gaming Foodie on YouTube.
Prep: 24 min | Cook: 25 min | Total: 1 hr 4 min
Cost: $16.15 total, $4.04 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 fillets Salmon Fillets (about 8 oz total, skin removed after cooking)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (for seasoning salmon and rice)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika (smoked paprika optional)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (for coating salmon before cooking)
- 0.5 pound Imitation Crab (shredded into small pieces)
- 4 ounce Cream Cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoon Japanese Mayonnaise (Kewpie or similar)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (plus extra for topping, adjust to heat preference)
- 3 cup Sushi Rice (cooked, cooled)
- 1 tablespoon Mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar (seasoning for rice)
- 4 sheet Nori Sheets (shredded; can use verticake as alternative)
- 2 stalk Scallions (green parts sliced for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon Black Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
Season the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry, then rub both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and drizzle with olive oil.
Time: PT5M
Cook the Salmon
Place the seasoned fillets in the air fryer (or preheated oven) at 400°F for 12 minutes, or until opaque and easily flaked.
Time: PT12M
Temperature: 400°F
Shred the Cooked Salmon
Remove the skin if present, then use two forks or your hands to break the salmon into bite‑size shreds.
Time: PT3M
Prepare Imitation Crab
Take the half‑pound of imitation crab, pull apart or chop into small pieces.
Time: PT3M
Make Spicy Mayo Mixture
In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Japanese mayo, and 1 tablespoon of Sriracha. Mix until smooth.
Time: PT3M
Combine Protein and Mayo
Add the shredded salmon and crab pieces to the spicy mayo mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Time: PT2M
Season the Sushi Rice
Place the cooked sushi rice in a large bowl, drizzle with mirin, rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Toss gently to coat.
Time: PT5M
Layer the Rice in the Baking Dish
Evenly spread the seasoned rice across the bottom of the 9x13‑inch baking dish, pressing gently to create a flat layer.
Time: PT3M
Add the Salmon‑Crab Topping
Spoon the salmon‑crab‑spicy mayo mixture over the rice and spread it into an even layer.
Time: PT3M
Scatter Shredded Nori
Evenly sprinkle the shredded nori (or verticake) over the top of the mixture.
Time: PT2M
Bake the Sushi Bake
Place the dish in a preheated oven at 380°F and bake for 10 minutes.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 380°F
Broil for a Golden Finish
Switch the oven to high broil and broil for 3 minutes, watching closely until the top is lightly browned.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: high broil
Garnish and Serve
Drizzle additional Sriracha over the top, sprinkle sliced scallions and black sesame seeds. Cut into squares and serve with extra nori sheets if desired.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 15 g
- Carbohydrates
- 45 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑Free, Contains Dairy, Contains Soy, Contains Sesame
Allergens: Fish (salmon), Shellfish (imitation crab), Dairy (cream cheese), Egg (mayonnaise), Sesame
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Salmon Fillets: tilapia, cod
- Instead of Olive Oil: vegetable oil
- Instead of Imitation Crab: real crab meat, shrimp, crawfish
- Instead of Cream Cheese: neufchatel cheese
- Instead of Japanese Mayonnaise: regular mayo
- Instead of Sriracha: chili garlic sauce
- Instead of Sushi Rice: short‑grain rice
- Instead of Mirin: sweet rice wine, honey diluted
- Instead of Rice Vinegar: apple cider vinegar (less sweet)
- Instead of Nori Sheets: verticake
- Instead of Scallions: chives
Equipment Needed
- 9x13‑inch Baking Dish
- Air Fryer or Conventional Oven
- Mixing Bowls
- Spatula or Spoon
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons
- Aluminum Foil (optional)
- Broiler Setting on Oven
- Fork or Hand
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Season the salmon
- Cook the salmon
- Spread rice evenly in the dish
- Bake at 380°F
- Broil for final color
Chef Tips from the Video
- For extra umami, stir a teaspoon of toasted furikake into the rice before spreading.
- Use a light hand when mixing the mayo; over‑mixting can make the topping too dense.
- If you like extra crunch, sprinkle toasted panko on top before the final broil.
Troubleshooting
Rice is dry after baking.
Add a splash of water (1‑2 Tbsp) before baking and cover with foil for the first 5 minutes.
Top becomes soggy.
Pat the shredded salmon and crab dry before mixing with the mayo, and broil uncovered for a crisp finish.
Nori burns during broil.
Reduce broil time to 1‑2 minutes or move the dish to a lower rack.
Storage
Refrigerator: Cover tightly and store up to 2 days.
Freezer: Not recommended; rice texture changes.
Room temperature: Can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours while serving.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Cook the salmon a day ahead and store in an airtight container.
- Seasoned sushi rice can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and kept refrigerated.
- Assemble the layers, cover, and refrigerate; bake just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of the sushi bake in Japanese‑inspired cuisine?
The sushi bake is a modern, American‑style reinterpretation of traditional Japanese sushi, turning the hand‑rolled or nigiri concept into a casserole that can be served family‑style. It reflects the fusion trend of adapting sushi for casual, home‑cooked meals while keeping core flavors like rice, nori, and seafood.
What are the traditional regional variations of sushi bake in Japanese‑inspired fusion cooking?
While the core concept stays the same, variations include using tuna or crab meat instead of salmon, adding avocado for creaminess, or swapping Japanese mayo for spicy mayo with mayo‑based sauces. Some versions incorporate tempura crumbs for extra crunch, reflecting regional preferences for texture.
How is sushi bake traditionally served in Japanese‑inspired gatherings?
In casual gatherings, the bake is cut into squares and served with extra nori sheets, pickled ginger, and soy sauce on the side. Diners often wrap a piece of the bake with a fresh nori sheet, creating a handheld sushi‑like bite.
What occasions or celebrations is sushi bake traditionally associated with in modern Japanese‑fusion cuisine?
Sushi bake has become popular for pot‑lucks, game nights, and birthday parties because it can be made ahead and served warm. It’s also a go‑to dish for holiday gatherings where guests appreciate a familiar yet elevated sushi flavor.
What makes sushi bake special or unique in Japanese‑inspired cuisine?
Its uniqueness lies in combining the layered comfort‑food format of a casserole with the delicate flavors of sushi. The dish delivers the umami of seafood, the tang of seasoned rice, and the heat of sriracha mayo in a single, easy‑to‑serve bake.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for sushi bake versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include sushi‑grade salmon, imitation crab (or real crab), Japanese mayo, sriracha, sushi rice, mirin, rice vinegar, and nori. Acceptable substitutes are tilapia for salmon, real shrimp or crawfish for crab, regular mayo for Japanese mayo, and furikake for extra flavor.
What other Japanese dishes pair well with sushi bake from the Japanese‑inspired cuisine?
Sushi bake pairs nicely with miso soup, edamame, a simple cucumber sunomono salad, or a side of pickled radish. For a fuller meal, serve alongside tempura vegetables or a light seaweed salad.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making sushi bake at home?
Common mistakes include overcooking the salmon, which makes the topping dry, and using dry rice that doesn’t stay moist during baking. Also, failing to shred the nori evenly can lead to uneven flavor distribution.
Why does this sushi bake recipe use a broil step instead of a longer bake?
Broiling quickly caramelizes the top, giving the nori a toasted aroma and a slight crunch without drying out the interior. A longer bake would make the rice overly dry and the topping soggy.
What does the YouTube channel Alissa Nguyen formerly Gaming Foodie specialize in?
The YouTube channel Alissa Nguyen formerly Gaming Foodie specializes in approachable Asian‑inspired recipes, often blending traditional flavors with modern twists for home cooks. Alissa focuses on clear step‑by‑step tutorials, ingredient sourcing tips, and making viral dishes accessible.
How does the YouTube channel Alissa Nguyen formerly Gaming Foodie's approach to Japanese‑inspired cooking differ from other cooking channels?
Alissa Nguyen’s approach emphasizes simplicity, using readily available grocery items while still honoring authentic flavors. She often demonstrates multiple cooking methods (air fryer, stove, oven) and provides cultural context, setting her apart from channels that focus solely on high‑tech or restaurant‑style techniques.
Last updated: August 29, 2026
