What to Serve with Sushi (15+ Sushi Side Dishes)

Wondering what to serve with sushi? Looking for some tasty sushi dinner ideas? There are so many great options! From miso soup, to veggie tempura, and more! Here are 15+ of the BEST sushi side dishes.

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Below are some sides for sushi that you may or may not have tried.

Whether you’re preparing crispy rice sushi, a sushi bowl, or even a sushi bake, you’re guaranteed to find a great pairing for any type of sushi here!

Some of these, like miso soup and vegetable tempura, are traditional, while others, this Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad and Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts, are more new-school recipes with an Asian cuisine influence. But the one thing they all have in common is that they’re super delicious and easy to prepare!

Find something everyone will love with these 15+ simple side dish recipes

PS – Don’t forget about the best sauces for sushi too! 🍣 🍣 🍣

The BEST Sushi Side Dishes

Overhead shot of bowl of udon soup with soup spoon.
Learn how to make Udon Noodle Soup (Kake Udon) at home. It’s a traditional Japanese appetizer made with tender udon noodles and a rich, dashi-based broth. This classic soup is warm, cozy, and the perfect umami-forward canvas for flavorful toppings.
Udon Noodle Soup
Overhead shot of kani salad in bowl topped with avocado and sesame seeds.
This light and refreshing Kani Salad, or crab stick salad, is a Japanese-style appetizer made with julienned cucumber, crab sticks, and a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing.
Kani Salad
Hamachi crudo arranged on grey plate topped with lemon slices and serrano peppers.
This simple Hamachi Crudo appetizer dresses buttery yellowtail in a bright soy and yuzu dressing before it’s finished with serrano peppers and lemon zest. Similar to sashimi, this Japanese delicacy is sure to impress at dinner parties.
Hamachi Crudo
Overhead shot of din tai fung cucumber salad on grey plate with chopsticks.
This copycat Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad is bursting with flavor. Beautifully marinated cucumbers drizzled in chili oil is an outstanding vegetarian appetizer you can enjoy for any special occasion!
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
Overhead shot of Prepared asian quinoa salad in bowl with serving tongs.
This vibrant Asian Quinoa Salad has a colorful blend of fresh vegetables topped on a bed of fluffy quinoa. Dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, it’s a delicious and naturally vegan meal you can make for meal prep or a healthy dinner.
Edamame Quinoa Salad
Overhead shot of bowl of yaki udon with black chopsticks.
Make this Japanese-inspired yaki udon recipe for easy weeknight dinners! Bouncy udon noodles, a variety of stir fried vegetables, and your favorite ground meat are tossed in a homemade stir fry sauce to give you a hassle-free and satisfying meal in only 20 minutes.
Yaki Udon
Blistered shishito peppers served on a black plate with lemon wedges.
These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned and slightly smoky, you’ll find that most are mild… one out of every ten might surprise you. 
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Bowl of Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts with chopsticks.
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and covered in a sweet and spicy kung pao sauce. Toss with roasted peanuts and red chilis for a crazy delicious spin on a classic roasted vegetable.
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
These copycat Din Tai Fung Green Beans are deliciously crispy and coated with lots of savory garlic and a spicy chili crisp. It’s the best umami-forward side dish to pair with all of your takeout-inspired favorites!
Din Tai Fung Green Beans
Overhead shot of bacon fried rice in black bowl on teal counter.
This Bacon Fried Rice comes together easily with ingredients you probably already have on hand, and in only 15 minutes! Skip the takeout and make your own (tastier) version at home.
Bacon Fried Rice
Cucumber Salad with Toasted Rice Powder - This Asian-inspired salad is tangy, crunchy and refreshing, not to mention, EASY to make!| platingsandpairings.com
This Asian Cucumber Salad with Toasted Rice Powder is ideal for summer – Light, tangy, refreshing and crunchy. Perfect for picnics and outdoor barbecues!
Asian Cucumber Salad
Easy homemade Japanese prawn gyoza recipe made with prawns/shrimp, garlic chives, cabbage, and delicious dipping sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Khin’s Kitchen
A great starter or snack! Delicious vegetable tempura served with a ginger ponzu sauce.
Get the RECIPE from Delizzious
This delicious spicy edamame recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make. It’s made with toasted sesame oil and Schichimi Togarashi (Japanese 7 Spice). You can make it as spicy as you’d like. Serve this high protein dish as an appetizer, side, or snack. (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Get the RECIPE from Evergreen Kitchen
This authentic pickled ginger is made with only four ingredients. Peppery and naturally pink, our thinly sliced sushi ginger (gari) is super quick and easy to make at home!
Get the RECIPE from Miklia.com
If you love the miso soup at your local Japanese restaurant, you will love this homemade version, too. Made with just 6 ingredients, this easy Miso Soup Recipe is full of traditional flavors.
Get the RECIPE from Bellyfull
This Japanese sesame spinach salad is nutty, flavourful and a delicious way to enjoy spinach! Ready in 5 minutes, this healthy Japanese side dish is great for meal prep, too.
Get the RECIPE from Okonomi Kitchen
Instant pot fried rice in serving bowl with spoon next to chopsticks.
Instant Pot Fried Rice with eggs & bacon comes together quickly & easily with ingredients you probably already have on hand! Skip the takeout and make your own (tastier) fried rice at home.
Instant Pot Fried Rice
Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry. Asian leafy greens stir-fried in garlic with a simple soy oyster sesame sauce. A tasty way to get in your greens!
Get the RECIPE from Christie at Home
Spinach Ohitashi is an easy classic Japanese side dish, made of blanched spinach steeped in light dashi soy broth and garnished with bonito flakes.
Get the RECIPE from Just One Cookbook

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these side dishes for sushi can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

More Side Dish Recipes

Sauces for Sushi

Did you try any of these sushi side dish recipes?

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PS – Don’t forget about my favorite Sushi Wine Pairings too! 🥂🥂🥂

CLOSEUP OF VEGETARIAN SUSHI ROLLS ON GREY PLATE.

What to Serve with Sushi: 15+ BEST Sides

Wondering what to serve with sushi? Looking for some tasty sushi dinner ideas? There are so many great options! From miso soup, to veggie tempura, and more! Here are 15+ of the BEST sushi side dishes. Try one of them with these Vegetarian Sushi Spicy “Tuna” Rolls. They taste just like the classic sushi roll but are loaded with plant-based goodness.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cooling & Marinade Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 rolls

Ingredients

Marinade:

Sushi Rice:

Spicy “Tuna Sauce:

Instructions

Tomatoes:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
  • Using a paring knife, score a small X through the skin on the bottom of each tomato.
  • Add the tomatoes to the boiling water and cook until the skin starts to peel (about 3 minutes). Immediately transfer the tomatoes to a bowl of ice water to chill and stop the cooking process.
  • Once cool enough to handle, use your hands to peel the tomatoes then cut them in half, remove the seeds, and cut them into bite sized pieces.

Marinade:

  • Combine the marinade mixture in a medium bowl.
  • Add the tomatoes to the marinade. Toss to coat, and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Rice:

  • Bring rice and water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and let rest while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Whisk vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves; drizzle over the rice and stir to combine.

Spicy “Tuna” Sauce:

  • Stir together sauce ingredients and set aside.

To Assemble:

  • Lay down a sheet of nori on a sushi mat or piece of saran wrap. Spread about ⅔ cup of the sushi rice over the nori, leaving about 1-inch clean on one end.
  • Spread the sriracha mayo across the rice, then top with cucumber, tomatoes and 2 slices of avocado.
  • Roll starting at the bottom and stop when you reach the bare strip at the top. Wet your fingers and run them along the bare edge, then continue rolling until sealed.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut into even pieces, about ¾ inch thick. Serve with additional spicy mayo and soy sauce on the side.

Notes

Nutrition calculation is per roll. 
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Medium Bowl
Sushi Rolling Mat or Saran Wrap

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 1154mg | Potassium: 503mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 626IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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