Japanese · medium · 40 min · serves 3
How to make sushi vegan
Short answer
Replace raw fish, sometimes egg or fish-based dashi in the rice with marinated watermelon or tomato, marinated carrot, kombu-shiitake dashi. The method is unchanged and takes about 40 minutes for 3 servings.
What makes the classic version non-vegan
- Raw fish
- Sometimes egg or fish-based dashi in the rice
Swap table
| Instead of | Use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna | Marinated watermelon or tomato | Sous-vide or roast then marinate in soy-sesame |
| Salmon | Marinated carrot | Steam then marinate |
| Dashi | Kombu-shiitake dashi | Fully plant-based |
Method
- 1Rinse sushi rice until clear, cook, then season with rice vinegar, sugar and salt.
- 2Marinate watermelon or carrot in soy, mirin, sesame oil and a pinch of kelp for 2 hours.
- 3Lay nori shiny-side down and spread rice thinly with wet hands.
- 4Add fillings, roll firmly with a mat and rest seam-side down.
- 5Cut with a wet, very sharp knife.
The one thing people get wrong
Kelp or nori in the marinade is what supplies the sea flavour raw fish would give.
Frequently asked questions
- Can sushi be made vegan?
- Yes. Replace raw fish, sometimes egg or fish-based dashi in the rice with marinated watermelon or tomato, marinated carrot, kombu-shiitake dashi. The method stays essentially the same and takes about 40 minutes.
- What is the hardest part of veganizing sushi?
- Kelp or nori in the marinade is what supplies the sea flavour raw fish would give.
- How long does vegan sushi take?
- About 40 minutes for 3 servings — a medium recipe.
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