Sushi Sailboats at Sea

Featured in: Fresh Everyday Bowls

These sushi sailboats combine fresh sushi-grade salmon and tuna with seasoned rice, crisp cucumber, avocado, and nori to create an engaging appetizer. Gently rolled with open tops to resemble boats, they are garnished with daikon or carrot sails on bamboo skewers for a whimsical touch. Served with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce, they offer a balanced blend of flavors and textures. Preparation involves cooking rice perfectly and assembling delicate ingredients for an impressive party platter that satisfies both the eye and palate.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:16:00 GMT
Sushi Sailboats at Sea featuring vibrant fish, avocado, and carrots, ready to be enjoyed! Save to Pinterest
Sushi Sailboats at Sea featuring vibrant fish, avocado, and carrots, ready to be enjoyed! | citrushearth.com

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

I enjoy making these sushi sailboats for gatherings as they are fun to assemble and always a hit with guests

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.
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| citrushearth.com

Making sushi sailboats has become a fun family tradition especially during celebrations and weekend get-togethers

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 (per boat)

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

Delightful Sushi Sailboats at Sea, featuring fresh salmon and tuna, artfully arranged on a platter. Save to Pinterest
Delightful Sushi Sailboats at Sea, featuring fresh salmon and tuna, artfully arranged on a platter. | citrushearth.com

These sushi sailboats add a whimsical touch to any meal and are sure to impress your guests every time

Recipe FAQs

How do I cook sushi rice properly?

Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until clear, then boil with water and simmer covered for 18 minutes. Let stand covered for 10 minutes to finish cooking and absorb moisture fully.

Can I make these sailboats gluten-free?

Yes, by using gluten-free soy sauce and ensuring all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, these sailboats suit gluten-free diets.

What alternatives work for the fish fillings?

For pescatarian variations, substitute salmon and tuna with avocado, mango, or marinated tofu to keep vibrant flavors and textures.

What is the purpose of the daikon or carrot slices?

The thin daikon or carrot slices act as sails when threaded on bamboo skewers, adding a whimsical and decorative element to the sushi boats.

How should these be served to guests?

Arrange the sushi sailboats on a platter accompanied by pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce for dipping, encouraging interactive and flavorful bites.

Sushi Sailboats at Sea

Fresh fish, sushi rice, and crisp vegetables shaped as playful sailboats for appetizer enjoyment.

Prep duration
35 minutes
Time to cook
20 minutes
Overall time
55 minutes
Created by Elise Porter


Skill level Medium

Cuisine Type Japanese Fusion

Makes 4 Number of servings

Dietary details Without Dairy

What Goes In

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, 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 if needed)

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare Sushi Rice: 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 02

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

Step 03

Assemble Sushi Boats: Place a half-sheet of nori shiny side down. With wet hands, shape approximately 2 tablespoons of sushi rice into a small log and place it lengthwise on the nori.

Step 04

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

Step 05

Form the Sailboats: Roll the nori around the rice and toppings, leaving the top open to resemble a boat shape.

Step 06

Create Sails and Garnish: Thread a daikon or carrot slice onto a bamboo skewer or toothpick and insert it upright into each sushi boat. Arrange the boats on a platter and garnish with pickled ginger. Serve alongside wasabi and soy sauce.

What You’ll Need

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

Allergy details

Double-check ingredients for allergens; talk with your doctor if you’re uncertain.
  • Contains fish (salmon, tuna) and soy (soy sauce). May contain sesame. Verify all ingredient labels for gluten content if necessary.

Nutrition info (for each serving)

Nutrition data is for reference and isn’t meant as health advice.
  • Calorie count: 105
  • Fat content: 2.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 16 grams
  • Protein amount: 5 grams