Sushi Sailboats at Sea

Featured in: Everyday Cozy Meals

Experience a delightful blend of fresh sushi-grade salmon and tuna, combined with perfectly seasoned sushi rice and crisp vegetables, shaped into whimsical sailboats. These boats are crafted with nori sheets, filled with creamy avocado and cucumber, and garnished with black sesame seeds, pickled ginger, and wasabi. The visual appeal is enhanced with daikon or carrot sails on bamboo skewers, making them ideal for appetizers or entertaining guests. Preparation includes cooking rice to perfection, folding in seasoned vinegar mix, and assembling each boat carefully for both flavor and presentation. This dish offers a balance of fresh, vibrant ingredients with a playful touch.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:22:00 GMT
Vibrant sushi sailboats at sea, featuring colorful fish, vegetables, and rice, ready to eat for an appetizer. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant sushi sailboats at sea, featuring colorful fish, vegetables, and rice, ready to eat for an appetizer. | recipesforevers.com

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

These sushi sailboats bring fun and creativity to the table, making appetizer time memorable for everyone.

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.
Fresh, beautifully arranged sushi sailboats, with salmon and tuna, are picture-perfect food for your next party. Save to Pinterest
Fresh, beautifully arranged sushi sailboats, with salmon and tuna, are picture-perfect food for your next party. | recipesforevers.com

Enjoy assembling and sharing these delightful sushi sailboats during family gatherings or parties.

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 25 g Carbohydrates 16 g Protein 5 g per boat

Playful sushi sailboats, filled with savory fish and sushi rice, make a fun and elegant Japanese-fusion platter. Save to Pinterest
Playful sushi sailboats, filled with savory fish and sushi rice, make a fun and elegant Japanese-fusion platter. | recipesforevers.com

Serve these sushi sailboats fresh for the best texture and flavor every time.

Recipe FAQs

What type of rice is used for sushi sailboats?

Short-grain sushi rice is used to achieve the perfect sticky texture needed for shaping the sailboats.

Can I substitute fish with other ingredients?

Yes, for a vegetarian option, replace fish with avocado, mango, or marinated tofu for a similar creamy texture.

How do I keep the sushi rice from sticking to my hands?

Wet your hands with water when shaping the rice logs to prevent sticking and ensure smooth assembly.

What are the best garnishes to complement these sailboats?

Pickled ginger, wasabi, and a drizzle of soy sauce add traditional flavors and complement the fresh ingredients well.

How can I make the sails for the sushi boats?

Use thin slices of daikon radish or carrot threaded onto bamboo skewers inserted upright into the boats for a decorative sail effect.

Sushi Sailboats at Sea

Fresh fish, sushi rice, and crisp veggies shaped into playful boats, ideal for appetizers or party platters.

Prep Duration
35 minutes
Time to Cook
20 minutes
Complete Duration
55 minutes

Recipe Type Everyday Cozy Meals

Complexity Medium

Cuisine Japanese Fusion

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary Info No Dairy, Without Gluten

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 ounces fresh sushi-grade salmon, thinly sliced
02 3.5 ounces fresh sushi-grade tuna, thinly sliced
03 1/2 avocado, thinly sliced
04 1/2 cucumber, seeds removed and thinly sliced
05 4 sheets nori seaweed, cut in half
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 if needed)

Directions

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

Step 03

Form Rice Logs: Lay one half-sheet of nori shiny side down. With wet hands, shape approximately 2 tablespoons of rice into a small log and place it lengthwise on the nori sheet.

Step 04

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

Step 05

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

Step 06

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

Step 07

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

Essential Tools

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

Allergy Details

Be sure to check every item for allergens. If uncertain, talk with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains fish (salmon, tuna) and soy (soy sauce).
  • May contain sesame.
  • Check all ingredient labels for gluten presence.

Nutrition per serving

Nutrition details are for your reference only. Always speak with a professional for medical concerns.
  • Caloric Content: 105
  • Total Fat: 2.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 16 grams
  • Proteins: 5 grams