We love the Philadelphia Roll! These tasty homemade sushi rolls are very easy to make and only need a few ingredients. They are also known as Philly Rolls and Japanese Bagel Rolls.
Not even the kind of breakfast where you think, “Oh, there’s leftover sushi in the fridge, I guess I’ll eat it!”
I regret nothing! I could eat sushi every day and be oh so happy about it. I even have a homemade sushi tutorial here on the blog with full step-by-step instructions and photos.
We make it a LOT and it’s become a fun date night activity for my husband and I. Even my kiddo likes to help!.
The usual way to make sushi rice takes about 20 minutes on the stove or in a rice cooker. But you can skip that step and use these little Nishiki microwaveable steamed sushi rice packages instead! They have just the right amount for two sushi rolls!
This is great when I want sushi for lunch but don’t want to pay a lot for takeout or go through all the trouble. It’s super easy!.
Sushi rolls come in endless varieties but there’s one creamy crab-stuffed version that often pops up on menus at Japanese restaurants and sushi bars. With its rich filling and unique flavor profile, this specialty roll has developed a following among sushi aficionados. But what exactly is this delectable concoction called? Let’s unravel the mysteries of the crab and cream cheese sushi roll.
Tracing the Origins
To begin getting to the bottom of this sushi roll’s name it helps to understand where it came from. Unlike more traditional types of sushi, this specialty roll likely originated in North America before becoming popularized across sushi restaurants.
California roll – a Western-inspired sushi roll with avocado, crab meat, and other non-traditional ingredients – paved the way for further sushi innovations incorporating new flavors. From there, swapping out avocado for tangy cream cheese allowed the creamy, crab-filled roll we know today to come onto the scene.
So while this roll takes inspiration from classic American-style sushi, it doesn’t have a standardized name just yet. Over the years it has picked up several common monikers. Let’s look at the front-running contenders.
The Many Aliases
Unlike sushi classics like tekka maki or California roll, this cream cheese and crab stuffed creation has been christened with a few different aliases. Here are some of the most common names it goes by on menus:
Philadelphia roll
This name directly calls out a key ingredient: Philadelphia cream cheese. The smooth, tangy cream cheese offsets the sweet crab meat perfectly.
BC roll
The abbreviation “BC” stands for British Columbia, which is where some believe this roll originated. Vancouver’s thriving sushi scene in the 1980s and 90s could have been the birthplace.
Alaskan roll
Similar to BC roll, this name nods to the geographic region. Alaskan king crab is often used in these rolls.
Tempura cream cheese roll
Some versions of the roll get coated in crispy tempura batter before being sliced up. This moniker specifies it’s the tempura version.
Crab Rangoon roll
Resembling the flavor profile of a popular Chinese appetizer, this name highlights the cream cheese and crab combo.
Customization is Key
With so many names in the mix, part of the ambiguity stems from how customizable this sushi roll is. There are many variations in ingredients across different restaurants, so no single recipe is canonized. Some common tweaks include:
- Using real crab meat or imitation crab
- Adding cucumber, avocado, or salmon
- Topping with spicy mayo or eel sauce
- Swapping out white rice for brown rice
The flexibility allows sushi chefs to put their own spin on the classic cream cheese and crab filling. A customized name distinguishes each restaurant’s individual rendition.
Does a Universal Name Exist?
While universally accepted names like California roll or spider roll are unlikely to ever apply to this customizable sushi, some common terms are emerging. In online discussions among sushi fans, Philadelphia roll seems to be taking the lead as the most popular and recognizable moniker.
Some key reasons why Philadelphia roll is edging out other names:
- Philadelphia cream cheese is a specific product, locking in one key ingredient
- The name is descriptive without referencing geographic region
- It’s fun and easy to say
- Many sushi restaurants already use this name on their menus
So while you may see different names for this luscious, crab-stuffed specialty roll depending on the restaurant, Philadelphia roll seems to be claiming the title of most ubiquitous.
Give This Sushi Roll a Try
Now that you know the origins, ingredients, and common nicknames for this popular sushi roll, it’s time to give it a taste if you haven’t already. The combination of silky cream cheese, sweet crab, and vinegared rice is undeniably crave-worthy.
For the full experience, visit your local sushi restaurant and order a Philadelphia roll. Explore the different variations in crab, fillings, and toppings chefs in your area are crafting. Or give making your own version at home a try with a simple cream cheese and crab sushi roll recipe.
So embrace the chance to sample this delightfully distinct sushi roll under any of its equally delicious aliases. Just don’t be surprised if ordering a Philadelphia roll is your safest bet for getting your hands on this creamy, crabby classic.
How do you make a philly roll?
To make these tasty homemade rolls, you’ll only need a few ingredients.
- sushi rice
- seasoned rice vinegar
- nori seaweed sheets
- smoked salmon or fresh sushi-grade salmon
- cream cheese
Things that go well with the bagels are sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning blend, chives or scallions, thinly sliced cucumber, and Sriracha and soy sauce for dipping.
Feel free to add any extras ingredients your heart desires!
A bamboo mat, which is sometimes called a sushi rolling mat, and a sharp knife are all you’ll need to make this maki sushi roll. Bamboo sushi rolling mats can be found in most grocery stores near the sushi that’s already made or further down the aisle with international foods.
Homemade Philadelphia Roll Sushi Recipe
The maki roll recipe below yields 2 tasty rolls that are easily sliced into 6 pieces each. Need more than 12 pieces? Simply double the recipe as needed.
- ▢ 3-4 oz raw sashimi-grade or lightly smoked salmon
- ▢ ½ cup sushi rice
- ▢ 2 TBSP seasoned rice vinegar
- ▢ 1 sheet of nori seaweed
- ▢ 2 oz cream cheese or to taste
- ▢ 1-2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- ▢ Sriracha chili sauce and/or soy sauce for dipping
- ▢ bamboo sushi mat
- ▢ plastic wrap to prevent sticking (totally optional)
- ▢ sliced cucumber
- ▢ chives or scallions
- ▢ everything bagel seasoning
- Using a mesh strainer, wash 1/2 cup of sushi rice very well in cool water. Rinse it until the water runs clear, and then give it a little shake to get the water to drain through the strainer.
- Put rice and 2/3 cup of cold water in a medium saucepan. Turn the heat up to high. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and cover. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Then take off the heat (but leave the lid on) and let the rice steam for another 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a non-metallic bowl and fluff with a fork. Add 2 TBSP of seasoned rice vinegar and mix well. Let it cool down while you get the rest of the sushi ingredients ready.
- Make ropes out of chilled cream cheese that are long enough to lay flat on your seaweed sheet. Set aside.
- Slice salmon into strips. Should you choose to add cucumber or scallions (or both! they taste great either way!), prepare those too. My favorite way to use scallions is to cut them into matchsticks and then use just the green parts.
- First, put plastic wrap on a bamboo mat. Then, put nori on top of it, rough side up.
- Place a thin layer of rice on the seaweed sheet and flip it over so that the rectangle is straight up and down. To get seaweed on the outside, put the toppings right on top of the rice. Put the filling right on top of the nori sheet so the rice touches the plastic-wrapped mat. This will make the filling go on the outside of the nori.
- Place sliced salmon, cream cheese, and any vegetables you want on top of your rice in a row about an inch from the bottom.
- Grab the nori and the mat, and roll approx. 1/4 of the mat over the filling and gently press it down on the rice below it to make it stick. Then, unfold the bamboo mat. Do this again and again until the sheet of rice, seaweed, and vegetables is rolled into a spiral shape. Give it one last squeeze to seal the deal. For a full photo tutorial of the process, click here.
- With a chef’s knife that has just been sharpened, cut each roll into six bite-sized discs. Put sesame seeds on the cut side and then use soy sauce and/or Sriracha chili sauce to dip it in.
If you get a chance to try this homemade Philadelphia roll, let me know!
You can leave a comment below (I LOVE reading them every day!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can gush over your work. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!.
How to Make a Sushi Roll (cream cheese and crab)
FAQ
What’s the difference between a Philadelphia Roll and an Alaska roll?
What type of sushi has cream cheese?
What is a Philly crab roll?
What is the difference between a Philadelphia crab roll and a California roll?
What is crab Roll Sushi?
Crab roll is a type of sushi that consists of rice, nori seaweed, crab meat (or imitation crab), and other ingredients that change from recipe to recipe. The additional ingredients are usually vegetables such as cucumber and avocado. Crab rolls are normally topped with sesame seeds and served with soy sauce or wasabi.
What is a California roll?
California roll is a type of inside-out sushi roll in which vinegared rice forms the outside of the roll, usually encompassing cucumber, crab and avocado.
How to make cream cheese crab sushi rolls?
This recipe for cream cheese crab sushi rolls certainly proves that. You will need white rice, vinegar, nori sheets, cucumber, imitation crab legs, cream cheese, and minced ginger root. It takes less than two hours with preparation to make this version of crab sushi rolls.
Do you need butter to make crab sushi rolls?
Crab sushi rolls are delicious when you prepare them traditionally, but add the butter to the equation and the taste acquires a whole new level of creaminess and richness. For this recipe, you will need King crab legs, sushi rice, nori, butter, sriracha, and lemon juice.