This Salmon and Rice Bowl has gone viral on TikTok, and it’s so easy to make with leftover rice and salmon! Serve with roasted seaweed sheets, Japanese mayo, and soy sauce.
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The TikTok Salmon Bowl has taken the internet by storm! This easy yet delicious recipe exploded in popularity after TikTok user @emilymariko posted a video showing how to make an incredible salmon rice bowl using just a few simple ingredients.
In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly how to recreate this viral dish at home. Whether you want to make Emily’s original version or put your own spin on it, this step-by-step guide has everything you need to know to make TikTok’s favorite salmon rice bowl.
Overview of the Viral TikTok Salmon Bowl
The base of the salmon bowl is white or brown rice topped with flaked salmon. What sets this bowl apart is Emily’s technique for reheating the rice and salmon together She places an ice cube right in the middle of the rice, then covers the bowl and microwaves it. The ice cube releases steam as it melts, perfectly reheating the rice Once heated through, she mixes in soy sauce, spicy mayo, and sriracha for flavor. Toppings like avocado, seaweed snacks, and kimchi make it even more delicious.
This bowl quickly gained attention for being a creative way to use up fridge leftovers. The ice cube trick ensures the rice doesn’t dry out or get mushy when reheated. People loved how simple yet gourmet this quick meal looked.
Within days, the #salmonricebowl hashtag took off with millions of views The bowl became so popular that grocery stores even started selling pre-made “TikTok salmon rice bowls”!
How to Make the Viral TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl
Ready to recreate this viral sensation in your own kitchen? Follow these simple steps
Ingredients Needed
- 3-4 oz cooked salmon, chilled
- 1 1⁄2 cups leftover rice (white or brown)
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp Kewpie or Japanese mayonnaise
- 2 tsp Sriracha
- 1⁄2 avocado, sliced
- 1⁄4 cup kimchi
- Scallions for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- Seaweed snacks for serving
Step 1: Flake the Salmon
Start with about 3-4 oz of cooked, chilled salmon fillet. Using a fork, break up the salmon into flakes resembling canned tuna.
Step 2: Add Rice and Water
Place the flaked salmon in a microwave-safe bowl. Top with 11⁄2 cups of cooked rice. Lightly sprinkle 1 Tbsp of water over the rice to help rehydrate it.
Step 3: Microwave
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a plate. Microwave for 90 seconds to 2 minutes until hot throughout. The rice should become fluffy again.
Step 4: Mix in Flavorings
Remove the hot bowl from the microwave. Discard the plastic wrap or plate. Add 2 tablespoons of Kewpie mayo, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons of Sriracha. Mix well so everything is evenly coated.
Step 5: Add Toppings
Top the salmon rice bowl with 1⁄2 sliced avocado, 1⁄4 cup kimchi, sliced scallions, and toasted sesame seeds.
Step 6: Serve with Seaweed
Enjoy the bowl as is, or wrap spoonfuls in roasted seaweed snacks!
And that’s all it takes to make the famous TikTok Salmon Bowl at home. The prep is quick, it uses up fridge leftovers, and the end result looks and tastes amazing!
Tips for Making the Viral Salmon Bowl
Here are some more tips that will help your TikTok salmon bowl look great:
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Use short or medium grain rice. Long grain rice may not reheat as well.
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Chill the cooked salmon before flaking it. This helps it break up easily.
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Sprinkle the water evenly over the rice before microwaving. This prevents dry spots.
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Microwave in 30 second increments, checking often to prevent overcooking.
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Let it sit 1-2 minutes after microwaving so the heat evenly distributes.
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Use leftover rice or freshly cook rice a day ahead so it’s perfectly chilled.
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Slice the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
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Look for single-serve seaweed snack packs so they’re pre-portioned.
Fun Ways to Customize Your Salmon Bowl
One of the best parts about this viral recipe is how customizable it is! Try these fun ways to put your own spin on the TikTok salmon bowl:
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Use brown rice or cauliflower rice instead of white.
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Top with mango, edamame, cucumber, or shredded carrots.
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Swap out the kimchi for pickled ginger or radish.
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Add sesame seeds, furikake, or crushed wasabi peas.
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Drizzle with pineapple teriyaki sauce or creamy ranch dressing.
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Mix in diced pineapple or mango for a tropical twist.
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For spicy lovers, add extra Sriracha mayo.
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Make it more filling by adding shredded rotisserie chicken.
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For a creamy twist, stir in 1-2 Tbsp cream cheese.
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Top with crispy fried onions for texture.
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For a bagel-inspired version, use an everything bagel seasoning blend.
The fantastic thing about this viral recipe is that you can truly customize it endlessly depending on your taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to making this viral TikTok recipe, here are answers to some common questions:
Should I use fresh or leftover rice?
Either works great! Freshly cooked rice ensures it will be fluffy when reheated. But leftover chilled rice also reheats beautifully with the ice cube trick.
Can I prep the bowls in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the salmon flaked over rice in containers up to 3 days ahead. Cool completely before refrigerating. Heat each as needed.
What kind of mayo should I use?
Kewpie Japanese mayo is ideal. But regular mayo or a blend of mayo and rice vinegar also tastes delicious.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Absolutely! Thaw overnight in the fridge then flake. It may take an extra 30-60 seconds to heat through.
What if I don’t have all the toppings?
No worries – the salmon over rice is still tasty on its own! Use any combo of toppings you have.
Can I use brown rice instead?
Brown rice works wonderfully in this bowl. Just be sure to cook it fully and chill overnight before using.
Enjoy This Viral Sensation at Home!
Now you’re ready to recreate the TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl that took the internet by storm! This simple yet crave-worthy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or easy weekend lunches. Flake up salmon, sprinkle some water over leftover rice, microwave, then mix in creamy spicy flavors. Top with crunchy toppings and roasted seaweed. Customize it by adding your favorite mix-ins. Now you can enjoy this viral food trend from the comfort of your own kitchen!
This Salmon and Rice Bowl is a TikTok viral sensation, it’s so simple to make using leftover rice and salmon! Serve with Japanese mayo, soy sauce, diced avocado, and roasted seaweed sheets!
If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen a lot of videos of people making Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowl, which went viral.
She made a Salmon Rice Bowl with leftover salmon, rice, an ice cube (yes!), soy sauce, Sriracha, Japanese Kewpie mayo, and roasted seaweed snacks, sliced avocado, and kimchi to serve. I had to make my own after seeing her video, and I can say that it lives up to the hype!
Why is this TikTok salmon and rice bowl so famous?
Emily Mariko showed how to microwave her rice and salmon with an ice cube inside. This is such a brilliant idea—the ice cube gently steams the rice so it warms up without getting hard or gummy. People wanted to try it themselves and see if it works!