Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi

Featured in: Dinner Blast

This elegant boat-shaped sushi platter combines fresh tuna, salmon, shrimp, and crab with perfectly seasoned sushi rice and crisp vegetable fillings. Artfully arranged rolls, nigiri, and sashimi come together with wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce to deliver an impressive and flavorful spread. Ideal for parties or special occasions, this dish showcases the beauty and balance of Japanese cuisine, combining texture and color in every bite.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:18:00 GMT
Vibrant Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter with colorful sushi, sashimi, and shrimp, garnished for a feast. Save
Vibrant Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter with colorful sushi, sashimi, and shrimp, garnished for a feast. | ticktaste.com

An eye-catching sushi platter arranged in the shape of a boat, featuring a colorful selection of sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Perfect for parties or special occasions, this impressive display brings the elegance of Japanese cuisine to your table.

I enjoy creating this boat-shaped sushi platter for family gatherings because it always impresses guests and encourages sharing.

Ingredients

  • Sushi Rice: 2 cups sushi rice, 2 1¼ cups water, 1¼ cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt
  • Fish & Seafood: 200 g fresh tuna (sashimi-grade), 200 g fresh salmon (sashimi-grade), 100 g cooked shrimp peeled and deveined, 100 g imitation crab sticks
  • Vegetables & Fillings: 1 avocado sliced, 1 cucumber julienned, 1 small carrot julienned, 2 sheets nori (seaweed), 2 tbsp pickled ginger
  • Condiments & Garnishes: 2 tbsp wasabi paste, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp black and white sesame seeds, Microgreens or shiso leaves (optional), Lemon wedges (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the sushi rice:
Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a rice cooker or pot cook according to instructions. Let stand for 10 minutes. In a small saucepan heat rice vinegar sugar and salt until dissolved gently fold into the cooked rice. Cool to room temperature.
Slice the fish:
Using a sharp knife slice the tuna and salmon into thin pieces for sashimi and nigiri.
Prepare fillings:
Slice avocado cucumber and carrot for sushi rolls.
Assemble sushi rolls:
Place a nori sheet on a bamboo mat. Spread an even layer of rice leaving a 2 cm border. Add desired fillings (e.g. tuna cucumber avocado). Roll tightly and slice into 6–8 pieces.
Assemble nigiri:
Shape small ovals of rice. Top each with a thin slice of fish press gently.
Arrange the platter:
On a large serving board or boat-shaped tray artistically arrange sushi rolls nigiri sashimi slices and shrimp. Garnish with pickled ginger wasabi sesame seeds and optional microgreens/lemon wedges for decoration.
Serve:
Serve with soy sauce on the side.
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This platter always brings my family together to share stories and enjoy delicious sushi as a group.

Notes

For added variety include tamago (Japanese omelette) or tempura vegetables and pair with chilled sake or green tea.

Required Tools

Rice cooker or pot bamboo sushi rolling mat sharp sushi knife large serving platter or boat-shaped tray small bowls for dipping sauces

Allergen Information

Contains fish shellfish soy and possible gluten (soy sauce). Nori and imitation crab may contain traces of other allergens. Always check product labels if concerned about allergies.

A delicious Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter with gleaming fresh fish and intricate sushi rolls, ready to serve. Save
A delicious Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter with gleaming fresh fish and intricate sushi rolls, ready to serve. | ticktaste.com

With practice this sushi platter becomes easier to assemble and impresses every time.

Recipe Questions

How do I make the sushi rice sticky and flavorful?

Rinse the rice until clear, cook with precise water quantity, and season with a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for balanced flavor and texture.

What fish is best for slicing sashimi and nigiri?

Use sushi-grade fresh tuna and salmon, sliced thinly with a sharp knife to ensure smooth, clean cuts for optimal texture.

How should I assemble the sushi rolls for best results?

Place nori on a bamboo rolling mat, spread an even layer of rice leaving edges clear, add fillings like tuna and avocado, then roll tightly before slicing.

What garnishes complement a sushi platter?

Pickled ginger, wasabi paste, black and white sesame seeds, microgreens, and lemon wedges add flavor contrast and visual appeal.

Can I prepare this platter in advance?

Yes, prepare the rice and fish slices ahead, but assemble rolls and nigiri just before serving to maintain freshness.

Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi

Colorful boat-shaped sushi with fresh sashimi, nigiri, and rolls, perfect for celebrations and gatherings.

Setup time
50 min
Heat time
35 min
Complete duration
85 min
Created By Jamie Torres

Classification Dinner Blast

Complexity Medium

Cultural Background Japanese

Output 6 Portions

Dietary considerations No Dairy

Components

Sushi Rice

01 2 cups sushi rice
02 2 1/4 cups water
03 1/4 cup rice vinegar
04 2 tbsp sugar
05 1 tsp salt

Fish & Seafood

01 7 oz fresh tuna (sashimi-grade)
02 7 oz fresh salmon (sashimi-grade)
03 3.5 oz cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
04 3.5 oz imitation crab sticks

Vegetables & Fillings

01 1 avocado, sliced
02 1 cucumber, julienned
03 1 small carrot, julienned
04 2 sheets nori (seaweed)
05 2 tbsp pickled ginger

Condiments & Garnishes

01 2 tbsp wasabi paste
02 3 tbsp soy sauce
03 2 tbsp black and white sesame seeds
04 Microgreens or shiso leaves (optional)
05 Lemon wedges (optional)

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare the sushi rice: Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a rice cooker or pot; cook according to instructions. Let stand for 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, heat rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved; gently fold into the cooked rice. Cool to room temperature.

Phase 02

Slice the fish: Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna and salmon into thin pieces suitable for sashimi and nigiri.

Phase 03

Prepare vegetable fillings: Slice avocado, cucumber, and carrot into julienne strips for sushi rolls.

Phase 04

Assemble sushi rolls: Place a nori sheet on a bamboo sushi rolling mat. Spread an even layer of rice, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Add desired fillings such as tuna, cucumber, and avocado. Roll tightly and slice into 6 to 8 pieces.

Phase 05

Form nigiri: Shape small oval portions of rice by hand. Top each with a thin slice of fish and press gently to secure.

Phase 06

Arrange platter: On a large serving board or boat-shaped tray, artistically arrange sushi rolls, nigiri, sashimi slices, and shrimp. Garnish with pickled ginger, wasabi, sesame seeds, and optional microgreens or lemon wedges.

Phase 07

Serve: Present with soy sauce in small bowls on the side for dipping.

Tools needed

  • Rice cooker or pot
  • Bamboo sushi rolling mat
  • Sharp sushi knife
  • Large serving platter or boat-shaped tray
  • Small bowls for dipping sauces

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare guidance if you're uncertain.
  • Contains fish, shellfish, soy, and possible gluten (soy sauce). Nori and imitation crab may contain traces of other allergens. Always check product labels if concerned about allergies.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy Value: 410
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 66 g
  • Proteins: 22 g