Are you making sushi tonight? Looking for a great side dish to complete a delicious Japanese meal? I have you covered! Read on for the best of the best salads, soups, veggies, sauces, drinks and desserts to serve with sushi.
Sushi is a star of Japanese cuisine. Whether you are visiting one of your favorite Japanese restaurants, or playing sushi chef yourself with a simple at-home sushi bake, this popular dish is sure to delight your taste buds. There are many different types of sushi, with a wide variety of different flavors. Most sushi rolls are a combination of cooked or raw fish, sticky sushi rice, and nori sheets. They can contain fruits and veggies, savory or spicy sauces, and lots of yummy toppings. With so many diverse sushi dishes, it can be tricky to identify the best sides.
Well, fret no more, friend! I have compiled a list of delicious and simple Japanese-inspired side dishes for your next sushi night. These recipes will be a great complement to your meal no matter what type of sushi you’re having! Read on for the best salads, soups, veggies, sauces, drinks and desserts to serve with sushi.
Salads
Crisp and refreshing salads are a great option to serve with savory or spicy sushi. Here are a few beautiful and simple salads to make tonight.
This crunchy and refreshing Carrot Cucumber Salad is a perfect pair for sushi. Made with a delicious dressing of sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce and coconut sugar, this simple and beautiful side dish comes together in only 10 minutes.
This easy cucumber sesame salad is cool, crisp and refreshing. Tossed with a yummy dressing featuring ginger, red chili flakes, and maple syrup for just a hint of sweetness, this is a perfect salad to offset spicy or rich sushi.Photo credit: recipesfromapantry.com
This is a beautiful addition to your table. The bright pink hue of red cabbage looks so pretty with colorful bell peppers and plump green edamame. Topped with green onions and a simple Asian dressing, this bright salad is a standout.
Kani Salad is a favorite at sushi restaurants. It is made with lump crab or imitation crab meat, carrots, cucumber, and creamy spicy dressing. Top it with sesame seeds for a bit of crunchy texture! This salad packs a huge burst of flavor.
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup made with dashi stock and miso paste, and usually served with tofu and sliced spring onion. Miso soup has a great umami savory flavor and is one of the best side dishes for sushi. This beautiful take on miso soup is made with a spicy miso broth, sauteed mushrooms, baby bok choy and chewy udon noodles. Top it with a soft poached egg for a delicious and beautiful soup.
Sushi can be a heavy meal at times – especially if you, like me, love anything fried in tempura batter stuffed inside your sushi roll. Add a healthy green veggie on the side, and both your body and your taste buds will thank you!
This delicious tender-crisp Chinese Broccoli Recipe (Stir-Fried Gai Lan) is made with simple ingredients including garlic and soy sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes, this flavorful vegetarian side dish is a great complement to sushi.
Edamame is a traditional Japanese dish that is often eaten as a healthy snack. This delicious Garlic Edamame recipe is a perfect starter for your sushi night. Lightly coated with garlic and soy sauce, these are a yummy upgrade from sprinkling sea salt on steamed edamame.Photo credit: joyousapron.com
A great complement to any main dish, Five Minute Air Fryer Green Beans are quick, easy and delicious with their crisp yet tender texture.Photo credit: simplyscrumptiouseats.com
Crisp, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Garlic Bok Choy Recipe is a totally delicious side dish and a great thing to add to your plate on sushi night!
Any sushi bar needs some delicious sauces and condiments. First of all, your sushi won’t be complete without soy sauce. Dark soy sauce is the traditional sauce of choice in Japanese restaurants. Serve it in a dipping bowl to the side of your sushi and dip your sushi pieces into it just before eating for a delicious umami flavor. But, don’t stop there! Try one of these amazing homemade condiments for sushi.
Pickled ginger, also called Gari, is traditionally served with inside-out sushi rolls like the California roll. It is palate cleanser, and having small amounts of ginger between bites of sushi is the best way to neutralize flavors from different rolls. This recipe uses fresh young ginger, vinegar, sugar and salt to make homemade pickled ginger that will last for up to 6 months. It does take 2-3 days to pickle, so plan ahead! This would be a great recipe to try for a sushi party with friends. Photo credit: masalaherb.com
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is a great sauce to add the perfect hint of sweet taste to your sushi. This recipe is easy, healthy and soy and gluten-free for those with allergies!
Royal milk tea is a popular and easy Japanese tea recipe made with milk, sugar, and black tea. A simple and delicious way to end your meal!Photo credit: greedygirlgourmet.com
In my book, every meal should end with chocolate. These fudgy Miso Brownie bites will be the perfect end to your sushi night. Red miso adds a savory, umami flavor to these brownie bites, which are glazed in chocolate ganache and sprinkled with walnuts. Yum!!!Photo credit: savorthebest.com
