What Is A Sushi Bake?

By the Ami Ciccone

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May 4, 2021

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Food

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There have been quite a few viral food trends to crop up during the COVID-19 lockdown, from Dalgona coffee to baking your own sourdough bread. A sushi bake, however, is the latest, and perhaps strangest, pandemic food yet. It's an easy way to eat sushi when the restaurants are not open!

Start Of The Sushi Bake Trend

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Whenever the coronavirus lockdowns finally end everywhere, you can be sure that many will continue making sushi bakes at home. But what is a sushi bake? Well, it's a rather convenient way to enjoy the taste of a California Roll, one of the most popular sushi rolls. Imagine the popular sushi roll layered and baked in the oven. Breaking it down: layers of seasoned rice, spicy mayo, crab, seaweed, and Siracha create a warm casserole that tastes exactly like a California Roll. And that's a sushi bake!

The latest COVID food craze started in the Philippines, where citizens started enjoying the dish to the fullest amid the pandemic. As you might suspect, the lockdowns led to lots of boredom - and new recipes! “The kitchen became our laboratory,” said Leiana Aika Go, owner of viral restaurant Sushi Lab. The two started releasing recipes on TikTok to help people cope. “It was an avenue for us to experiment with different flavors from sweet to savory. When the sushi bake craze went viral, we tried making one of our own, and it turned out to be so good that we decided we had to share it with others.”

Now, plenty are showing off their sushi bakes online - and they look incredible!

Sushi Bake Tray’s History

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Certainly, it will be some time until we return to massive potlucks and parties. However, when that time comes, make sure to remember the sushi bake! As many can vouch, its perfect for special occasions as well as an easy weeknight dinner. After all, we can't always hit the local sushi house! “With dining out at restaurants no longer being an easy option, people are really looking for unique experiences they can enjoy at home,” Hot Box Sushi owner Gia Lee said. “The fun thing about making this, is that you never need a recipe! Everything is to taste."

Sushi bakes have even become so popular that some grocery stores have started selling premade versions. Meanwhile, there are plenty of sushi bake recipes online. Not a fan of California rolls? No problem! There are many other recipes with other seafood items, including cooked salmon, shrimp, scallops, eel, fish roe, and many other options. “It seemed to always be a staple dish during holidays or special occasions,” Rebekah Daniels, a Hawaii resident, said. “And even in a more casual setting, it would be at a party or potluck since it was something that was meant to be shared with people. In my experience, they have always been homemade, often served cold or at room temp, or be placed in the oven for a bit so that it has a warm and melty texture.”