Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi

Featured in: Late-Night Cravings

This striking boat-shaped sushi platter offers a colorful selection of rice-based rolls, fresh sashimi, and tender nigiri, accented with crisp vegetables and flavorful garnishes. It combines the delicate essence of Japanese ingredients with eye-catching presentation ideal for entertaining. Prepare sushi rice seasoned with vinegar and sugar, layer vibrant fillings like avocado and cucumber, and arrange fresh slices of tuna, salmon, shrimp, and imitation crab. The final display is garnished with pickled ginger, wasabi, and sesame seeds, served alongside soy sauce for dipping.

Ideal for medium-level culinary enthusiasts, this dish takes around 1 hour 25 minutes to prepare and yields six servings. The combination of textures and colors brings elegance and taste to any gathering, complemented by optional microgreens and lemon wedges for freshness. Enjoy pairing this platter with chilled sake or green tea for a refined experience.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:35:00 GMT
Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter beautifully displays a colorful array of sushi rolls and fresh fish, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter beautifully displays a colorful array of sushi rolls and fresh fish, ready to enjoy. | snackandmack.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.

Creating this sushi platter has been a fun way to impress guests and explore Japanese cuisine in my own kitchen.

Ingredients

  • Sushi Rice: 2 cups sushi rice, 2 1/4 cups water, 1/4 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 is often a hit at family gatherings bringing everyone together over delicious food.

Notes

For added variety include tamago Japanese omelette or tempura vegetables. Pair with chilled sake or green tea for an authentic experience.

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.

This Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter boasts fresh salmon and tuna, ready for dipping in soy sauce with wasabi. Save to Pinterest
This Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi Platter boasts fresh salmon and tuna, ready for dipping in soy sauce with wasabi. | snackandmack.com

This stunning sushi platter will elevate any gathering and impress your guests with its visual appeal and delicious flavors.

Recipe FAQs

How do I prepare sushi rice for the platter?

Rinse sushi rice until water is clear, then cook with water. Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved and fold gently into the cooked rice. Let it cool before use.

What types of fish are suitable for the boat sushi?

Fresh, sashimi-grade tuna and salmon are recommended, along with cooked shrimp and imitation crab sticks for variety and texture.

How can I roll sushi without it falling apart?

Use a bamboo rolling mat and spread rice evenly on the nori sheet, leaving a border. Add fillings and roll firmly, then slice carefully to keep shape.

What garnishes complement the platter best?

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

Can this platter accommodate dietary preferences?

Yes, it suits pescatarian and dairy-free diets, focusing on fresh seafood, vegetables, and rice without dairy ingredients.

Any tips for serving the sushi platter at a gathering?

Chill the serving boat or tray before arranging sushi for best presentation, and serve with soy sauce on the side for dipping.

Sail Away Boat-Shaped Sushi

A vibrant sushi assortment artistically arranged on a boat-shaped platter, perfect for celebrations.

Prep Time
50 min
Cook Time
35 min
Overall Time
85 min
Recipe by Snack And Mack Ryan Mitchell

Recipe Type Late-Night Cravings

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type Japanese

Output 6 Serving Size

Dietary Details Dairy-Free

Ingredient List

Sushi Rice

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

Fish & Seafood

01 7 oz fresh sashimi-grade tuna
02 7 oz fresh sashimi-grade salmon
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 tablespoons pickled ginger

Condiments & Garnishes

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

Steps

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

Prepare vegetable fillings: Slice avocado, julienne cucumber and carrot for use in sushi rolls.

Step 04

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

Step 05

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

Step 06

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

Step 07

Serve: Present sushi platter with soy sauce served on the side.

Equipment 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 Info

Double-check every item for known allergies. If unsure, reach out to a healthcare provider.
  • Contains fish, shellfish, soy, and possible gluten from soy sauce
  • Nori and imitation crab may contain traces of other allergens
  • Check product labels for allergens if concerned

Nutrition Details (each serving)

Nutrient details are offered for reference only. Speak with your doctor for personal health questions.
  • Calorie Count: 410
  • Fat Content: 6 g
  • Carbohydrate: 66 g
  • Proteins: 22 g