How to Make the Viral TikTok Salmon Bowl – A Step-by-Step Guide

The TikTok salmon bowl has taken the internet by storm! This healthy, easy and delicious meal is the creation of TikTok user @emilymariko. Her video showing how to make a leftover salmon rice bowl went hugely viral, amassing over 70 million views.

People love this bowl because it’s a simple way to create a quick, nutritious lunch or dinner using leftovers and pantry staples. The combination of tasty pan-fried salmon, fluffy rice, creamy sauces, crunchy vegetables and toppings makes this bowl ultra-satisfying.

If seeing that delicious bowl on your TikTok feed has made you want to recreate it at home, you’ve come to the right place! Here is a step-by-step guide walking you through exactly how to make the original TikTok salmon bowl and some easy tweaks to customize it to your taste

Ingredients You’ll Need

The TikTok salmon bowl comes together with just a handful of supermarket ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Cooked rice
• Soy sauce
• Kewpie or regular mayonnaise
• Sriracha or other hot sauce
• Avocado
• Kimchi
• Scallions
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Seaweed snacks

For simplicity, use leftover rice if you have it on hand. White or brown rice works well. When making the rice fresh, be sure to slightly undercook it since it gets reheated in the bowl.

Step 1: Cook the Salmon

Start by cooking fresh salmon fillets. The key here is to get them nicely pan-fried with a crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender and flaky.

• Pat the fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• When the oil is shimmering, add the salmon fillets skin-side up. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is opaque and lightly browned.
• Flip the fillets and cook for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through but still moist inside. Be careful not to overcook the salmon or it will be dry.
• Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate. Once cool enough to handle, break it into bite-size flakes using a fork.

Step 2: Prepare the Rice

If using leftover rice, take it out of the fridge and add a sprinkle of water over the top. This helps rehydrate it.

If making fresh rice, cook it slightly less than normal so it’s still firm. Chill the cooked rice in the fridge for 1 hour until completely cool.

When ready to make the bowl, take the chilled rice and break up any clumps. Add a small splash of water over the top and toss gently to evenly moisten.

Step 3: Assemble the Bowl

• Place your flaked salmon and the moistened rice in a bowl.
• Add the soy sauce, mayo, sriracha and mix everything together well.
• Top with sliced avocado, kimchi and sliced scallions.
• Finish with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds.
• Tuck a couple seaweed snacks on the side.

That’s it! Your viral TikTok salmon bowl is ready to enjoy The rice soaks up all the delicious flavors while the toppings provide texture and freshness

Tips for Customizing Your Bowl

One of the great things about this meal is how versatile it is. Don’t be afraid to tweak it to your preferences!

• Use brown rice or cauliflower rice instead of white.
• Swap in different proteins like cooked chicken, tofu or shrimp.
• Mix up the sauces with yogurt, ponzu, spicy mayo, etc.
• Top with diced mango, carrot, cucumber, radish or your favorite veggies.
• Add in fresh herbs like cilantro, basil or mint.
• Swap kimchi for sauerkraut, pickled onions or other fermented veggies.
• Sprinkle with furikake, chili flakes or different seeds instead of just sesame.

The possibilities are endless for remixing this bowl while keeping it healthy, fresh and fast.

Storing Leftovers

One of the things that made this bowl go viral was using leftover rice and salmon. To store leftovers:

• Let any remaining rice and salmon cool completely, then refrigerate in separate airtight containers.
• The salmon will keep for 2-3 days. Flake apart any pieces stuck together before reheating.
• The cooked rice keeps for 4-5 days. When ready to reheat, sprinkle with water before microwaving.

Leftover assembled bowls don’t store as well. The textures tend to suffer after refrigeration. It’s best to assemble them fresh.

Why This Bowl Blew Up on TikTok

It’s easy to see why Emily Mariko’s video took off on TikTok and had people scrambling to make their own versions. Here are some reasons this recipe has been so popular:

• It looks beautiful. The bowl is a feast for the eyes with its vibrant colors and textures. It’s perfect Instagram and TikTok eye candy.

• It’s simple to make. With easy-to-find ingredients and just a few steps, anyone can whip it up fast.

• It’s healthy. Packed with omega-3 rich salmon, fresh veggies, and lighter sauces, this meal sneaks nutrition into an indulgent bowl.

• It’s customizable. There are endless ways to tweak this bowl to your personal tastes.

• It’s satisfying. The combo of textures and flavors in each bite make this a truly crave-worthy bowl.

• It uses leftovers. TikTok loves a good leftover hack. Repurposing rice and salmon is smart.

• It’s versatile. This bowl works for lunch, dinner, meal prep, or as light weekend brunch.

Recreating this viral sensation at home is easy and fun. In just a few short minutes, you can have a beautiful salmon bowl that looks and tastes gourmet. The popularity of this recipe shows no signs of dying down, so get in on the tasty trend!