Sushi pizza is a Canadian dish that originated in Toronto and is a fun fusion of sushi and pizza. It typically consists of a crispy fried rice patty base topped with various ingredients you’d find on sushi, like avocado, smoked salmon, tuna, or crab meat. It may also include some classic pizza toppings like sriracha mayo or a drizzle of unagi sauce.
One of the earliest known versions of sushi pizza is attributed to Chef Kaoru Ohsada, who is said to have created it at the Nami Japanese Seafood Restaurant in Toronto, Canada. This innovative dish quickly gained popularity for its unique combination of flavors and textures, becoming a favorite in many Japanese restaurants across North America.
This recipe can be customized to your liking in many different ways with your favorite sushi toppings, sauces and spices or make a vegetarian variation.
Spicy Salmon Sushi Pizza
Ingredients
For the Rice Base:
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil for frying
For the Toppings:
- 8 oz sushi-grade salmon or smoked salmon thinly sliced
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1/2 cucumber thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup tobiko or masago (fish roe)
- 1/4 cup spicy mayo (mix mayo with a bit of sriracha to taste)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp wasabi
- pickled ginger (optional)
- Nori (seaweed) strips for garnish
- sesame seeds for garnish
- chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Sushi Rice:
- Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Combine the rice and water in a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Once cooked, transfer the rice to a large bowl and let it cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Pour over the rice and gently fold to combine. Let the rice cool to room temperature.
Make the Rice Base:
- Wet your hands to prevent sticking, then form the sushi rice into a one large, flat circle (about 1/2 inch thick) on a piece of plastic wrap. To make mini sushi pizzas, form the rice into smaller patties and fry them for a shorter time.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Carefully place the rice patty or patties in the skillet and cook until golden and crispy on one side, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until crispy.
- Transfer the crispy rice base to a plate and let it cool slightly.
Assemble the Sushi Pizza:
- Spread a thin layer of spicy mayonnaise over the crispy rice base.
- Arrange the sliced fish, avocado, and cucumber on top.
- Drizzle with soy sauce and a small amount of wasabi.
- Sprinkle with tobiko or masago, sesame seeds, and chopped green onions.
- Garnish with nori strips and pickled ginger if desired.
Serve:
- Cut the sushi pizza into wedges like you would with traditional pizza.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
You can customize this recipe with your favorite sushi toppings and sauces.
Tips:
- For a vegetarian option, you can replace the salmon with thinly sliced tofu or tempeh, marinated in your favorite sauce.
- You can also add other vegetables like thinly sliced bell peppers or shredded carrots to the toppings.
- If you don't have sriracha sauce, you can use another hot sauce or chili garlic paste to make the spicy mayonnaise or skip the spicy sauce altogether.
- To make mini sushi pizzas, form the rice mixture into smaller patties and cook for a shorter time.