Viral One Pot Sushi Cake

By Snejana Andreeva

on Feb 07, 2026

5 from 2 reviews
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A close-up of chopsticks holding a piece of sushi with rice, fresh salmon, tuna, green onions, sesame seeds, and a dollop of mayonnaise, above a wooden board with more sushi in the background.

Remember that sushi mold 🍣 you ordered that you swore you’d use, only now it’s buried in the back of your ‘miscellaneous’ cabinet like a distant memory? Well, what if I told you that all you need is a baking dish to make this TikTok Viral One Pot Sushi Cake 🍱? No more molds. No more rolling techniques that take sushi chefs 👨‍🍳 years to master – but you’re somehow expected to learn them with a kit and a prayer 🙏. This recipe demystifies sushi once and for all, making it easy, approachable, and delicious. Let’s roll…or not 😂!

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Key Takeaways

  • The Viral One Pot Sushi Cake simplifies sushi-making by eliminating rolling and using a baking dish instead.
  • This recipe is quick, using only one pot for easy cleanup and assembling in just 15 minutes.
  • Customize it with various fish or toppings to suit your taste, whether raw, cooked, or vegetarian.
  • Ensure food safety by using sushi-grade fish from a trusted source for any raw ingredients.
  • It’s perfect for parties, slicing easily and serving a crowd, making it a sought-after recipe.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love Viral One Pot Sushi Cake

✨ It looks fancy, but it’s secretly easy: You get all the beauty of sushi rolls without the rolling, bamboo mats, or stress. Just layer, press, and slice.

🧼 One pot = less mess: The rice cooks in one pot, the layers come together in a lined baking dish, and cleanup is too easy.

🎉 It’s the perfect party platter: It slices like a cake, serves a crowd, and everyone will be asking you for the recipe.

⏱️ It’s quicker than rolling: This sushi cake only takes 15 minutes to assemble, making it perfect for weeknights and spontaneous gatherings.

🍣 It’s completely customizable: Make it spicy, add crunch, go fully cooked, or vegetarian — this recipe adapts to how you roll 😉.

Nonna’s Tip 🐟

For food safety, always use seafood labeled safe for raw consumption and follow proper refrigeration guidelines.

Close-up of assorted sushi topped with fresh slices of salmon and tuna, green wasabi dollops, and sesame seeds, arranged on a wooden board with a pair of chopsticks picking up a piece.

How to Choose Safe Sushi-Grade Fish for Raw Recipes

Because this recipe uses raw salmon and tuna, sushi-grade fish is a must 🐟. Fish meant for raw dishes is handled and frozen to strict standards that make it safer to eat, while regular grocery store salmon isn’t always prepared with raw consumption in mind. Always buy from a trusted fishmonger or seafood counter, and be sure to ask if it’s safe to eat raw 🍣. If you can’t find sushi-grade salmon or tuna, don’t worry! Additionally, you can always swap in cooked seafood or smoked salmon.

Variations and Substitutions for Viral One Pot Sushi Cake

  1. Use any of your favorite sushi-grade fish varieties, such as salmon, tuna, or a mix of both.
  2. Not a fan of raw fish? That’s ok! Feel free to use smoked salmon, crab, or cooked shrimp 🍤 instead. Just make sure you slice them thin for layering.
  3. Swap rice wine vinegar for mirin. Since mirin is sweetened, use less honey or omit it altogether to prevent your rice from being too sweet.
  4. Add a layer of cream cheese between the avocado 🥑 and cucumber 🥒 for a Philadelphia roll style bite.
  5. Finish with your favorite garnishes, such as sesame seeds, furikake, Sriracha, Yum Yum, spicy mayo, pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.

Best Served With

Similar Recipes

Common Questions

Can I make One Pot Sushi Cake ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble it up to 8 hours ahead. Keep it tightly covered in the fridge and add avocado and toppings right before serving so everything stays fresh.

Is it safe to use raw salmon in this recipe?

Only if it’s sushi-grade (sashimi-grade) salmon from a trusted fishmonger or seafood counter. Fish meant for raw consumption is handled and frozen to safety standards that regular grocery store salmon may not meet.

What can I use instead of raw fish?

Safe alternatives to raw fish include smoked salmon, cooked shrimp, imitation crab, baked salmon, or tofu.

Why is my sushi rice mushy or hard?

To make the perfect sushi rice, be sure to rinse it well and follow the measurements closely. If your rice is too mushy or hard, then it usually comes down to these three factors:
💧 Too much water → mushy
🌵 Not enough water → dry
🍚 Skipping the vinegar seasoning → bland & sticky

How long can sushi cake sit out?

Sushi cake should not sit at room temperature for more than 1–2 hours. Because it contains seasoned rice and raw seafood, enjoy or refrigerate it right away.

5 from 2 reviews

Viral One Pot Sushi Cake

Rectangular pieces of sushi with salmon and tuna slices on rice, topped with green chili slices and sesame seeds, arranged on a wooden board. A pair of chopsticks holds one piece.
A Tik-Tok viral sushi moment made with layers of seasoned rice, salmon+tuna, and fresh toppings pressed into one beautiful, sliceable dish.
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Makes: 16 pieces
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients

The Rice

  • 2.5 cups cooked sushi rice
  • salt, to taste
  • 1.5 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon honey

The Sushi Grade Fish

  • 1 pound sushi-grade salmon, tuna, or both. I used a mix of both that I cut into thin slices

Additional Ingredients

  • ¼ cucumber, cut into thin circles
  • 1 avocado, thinly sliced
  • 1 sheet of nori

Instructions

Prep

  • Note: always buy sushi-grade fish from a trusted fishmonger or seafood counter, and be sure to ask if it’s safe to eat raw.
  • In a bowl, mix together the rice wine vinegar and honey. Set aside.
  • Cook the rice as per the package instructions. I like to add a generous pinch of salt to my water. Let it cool, then add the rice vinegar and honey mixture. Stir.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut the sushi-grade fish into thin slices. Set aside. Thinly slice the avocado, and cut the cucumber into thin circles. Set aside.

Assembly

  • To assemble, place a piece of plastic wrap into a 9 by 9 square dish, making sure to cover the bottom and sides. Add the sushi-grade fish, alternating pieces of salmon and tuna until you have a nice even layer covering the bottom of the dish.
    A white square dish lined with plastic wrap holds alternating rows of sliced raw salmon and tuna, displayed neatly on a dark wooden surface.
  • Next, add the thinly sliced avocado.
    A square white dish lined with plastic wrap, filled with overlapping slices of raw salmon, raw tuna, and avocado arranged in neat rows on a dark wood surface.
  • Then, add a layer of the cucumber.
  • Finally, add the rice mixture. Using wet hands, press the rice down into an even layer, followed by a sheet of nori paper on top.
    A square white dish with handles contains a layer of white rice topped with a sheet of nori seaweed, partially covered with plastic wrap, on a dark wooden surface.
  • Gently invert the dish onto a cutting board.
  • Cut into squares and garnish with spicy mayo, sriracha, sesame seeds, or furikake seasoning. Enjoy with soy sauce on the side.
    Rectangular pieces of sushi with salmon and tuna slices on rice, topped with green chili slices and sesame seeds, arranged on a wooden board. A pair of chopsticks holds one piece.
  • Scroll up the post for tips on choosing the right sushi-grade fish, serving suggestions, and FAQs.

Nonna’s Notes

Food Safety: Always use seafood labeled safe for raw consumption and store the sushi cake properly in the refrigerator.
Sushi-Grade Fish: Use your favorite sushi-grade options like salmon, tuna, or a mix of both for the best flavor and texture.
No Raw Fish Option: Not into raw fish? No problem! Use smoked salmon, crab, or cooked shrimp — just slice thin for easy layering.
Vinegar Swap: You can swap rice wine vinegar for mirin. Since mirin is sweet, reduce or skip the honey to keep the rice from tasting too sweet.
Creamy Twist: Add a layer of cream cheese between the avocado and cucumber for a Philadelphia roll–style bite.
Garnish Ideas: Finish with sesame seeds, furikake, Sriracha, Yum Yum sauce, spicy mayo, pickled ginger, wasabi, or soy sauce.
Proper storage: Sushi cake should not sit at room temperature for more than 1–2 hours. Because it contains seasoned rice and seafood, enjoy or refrigerate right away for safety.

My Notes

Add your personal notes here!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Viral One Pot Sushi Cake
Serving Size
 
1 piece
Amount per Serving
Calories
88
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
16
mg
5
%
Sodium
 
15
mg
1
%
Potassium
 
210
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
7
g
2
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
0.3
g
0
%
Protein
 
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
 
41
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
6
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.3
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

5 from 2 votes

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My husband and I are such sushi lovers! This is such an easy way to have it from the comfort of our home and I love how versatile this recipe is! 10/10!

    Reply