Dinner

Sushi Bundt Cake Recipe

ByClara Bennett April 2, 2026April 2, 2026

Introduction

Sushi Bundt Cake is a stunning and flavorful twist on traditional sushi, presented in a fun, layered cake form. Combining fresh seafood, seasoned rice, and vibrant vegetables, this dish is perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a unique homemade sushi experience.

A circular sushi cake with three visible layers is placed on a white plate with red stripes near the edge, set on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is white sushi rice, topped with a middle layer of green avocado slices and shredded crab meat mixed with mayonnaise. The top layer again consists of white sushi rice sprinkled with seasoning, and is decorated with eight dollops of orange spicy salmon mixture evenly spaced around the top. A pair of tweezers held by a woman's hand is placing a thin round green slice of jalapeno on one of the salmon dollops. In the background, there are small bowls with soy sauce and greenery softly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1½ cup uncooked calrose rice
1 strip kombu
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp sugar
Pinch of salt
3 tbsp black sesame seeds (toasted)
12 oz crab (cooked, real or imitation)
⅓ cup Japanese mayo
1 tsp sesame oil
2 serranos (chopped)
2 scallions (chopped)
⅓ cup cilantro (chopped)
2 tsp rice vinegar
2 tsp tamari
6 oz sushi-grade salmon (very finely chopped)
2 tbsp Japanese mayo
2 tbsp sriracha
1 tsp tamari
Pinch of sugar
Toasted nori
2 Persian cucumbers (thinly sliced)
2 avocados (sliced)
Shichimi togarashi (to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the calrose rice in a rice maker or on the stove according to package instructions, adding the strip of kombu for extra flavor.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold this mixture into the warm cooked rice along with the toasted black sesame seeds. Allow the rice to cool completely, preferably overnight for best texture.
Step 3: Prepare the crab tampico by mixing the crab, Japanese mayo, sesame oil, chopped serranos, scallions, cilantro, rice vinegar, and tamari in a bowl. Set aside.
Step 4: For the spicy salmon topping, mix the finely chopped sushi-grade salmon with Japanese mayo, sriracha, tamari, and a pinch of sugar in a separate bowl.
Step 5: Lightly oil a bundt pan to prevent sticking. Press half of the cooled rice into the bottom, then layer with toasted nori, the crab tampico, sliced cucumber, and avocado. With wet hands, carefully press the remaining rice on top to form a compact layer.
Step 6: Place a plate over the bundt pan and carefully flip it to release the sushi bundt cake. Sprinkle shichimi togarashi over the top, pipe the spicy salmon mixture onto each raised section, and garnish with sliced serranos.

Tips & Variations

Letting the rice rest overnight helps it firm up and makes assembly easier.
Use imitation crab for a budget-friendly option without sacrificing flavor.
Adjust the level of heat by varying the amount of serranos and sriracha.
Try adding thin slices of mango or radish for a fresh twist.

Storage

Store any leftover sushi bundt cake covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Because of the fresh seafood and avocado, it’s best enjoyed the same day. Reheating is not recommended as it will affect the texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A ring-shaped sushi cake sits on a white plate with red stripes, placed on a white marbled texture. The dish has three clear layers: the bottom layer is made of white rice with some seasoning sprinkled on it, the middle layer consists of green slices likely avocado and crab meat mixed with vegetables, and the top layer is more white rice with seasoning. On top, there are eight dollops of orange spicy salmon, each topped carefully with a small slice of green chili being placed by a woman's hand using tweezers. In the background, there is a small white bowl of soy sauce and green plants adding to the fresh look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of rice?

Calrose rice is ideal for its sticky texture that holds the sushi together well. Short-grain sushi rice works too, but avoid long-grain varieties as they won’t bind properly.

Is it safe to eat raw salmon in this recipe?

Use only sushi-grade salmon purchased from a trusted source to ensure safety. If you prefer, you can substitute with cooked shrimp or cooked crab meat.