If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, chances are you’ve seen videos of people making Emily Mariko’s insanely delicious-looking salmon rice bowl. This recipe went viral on TikTok in 2021 thanks to its mouthwatering flavor combinations, ease of preparation, and versatility.
Making this TikTok famous salmon rice bowl at home is simple. The star ingredients are flaky, tender salmon and freshly cooked rice. What sets Emily Mariko’s recipe apart is her genius hacks, like using an ice cube to perfectly steam leftover rice. Her signature spicy-tangy-sweet sauce, piled high toppings, and crunchy nori seaweed wraps take this bowl over the top.
I’ve made this bowl multiple times now and can confirm it 100% lives up to the hype The complex flavors and textures in each bite are so addicting I can’t get enough! Keep reading for a step-by-step tutorial on how to recreate this viral TikTok rice bowl in your own kitchen.
Overview of the Viral Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe
The salmon rice bowl recipe went viral thanks to Emily Mariko’s TikTok video, which now has over 70 million views. Here’s an overview of what makes her bowl so special:
- Leftover cooked salmon is broken up over chilled rice
- An ice cube steams the rice when reheated in the microwave
- Drizzles of kewpie mayo, soy sauce, and sriracha season the rice
- Toppings like avocado, kimchi, and sesame seeds provide crunch
- She wraps the finished bowl in crispy nori seaweed sheets
It’s truly a bowl of contrasts – soft rice and salmon creamy sauce crisp vegetables, and chewy seaweed. The sweet, salty, spicy and umami flavors all come together in perfect harmony. Let’s break down how to DIY this viral food trend!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Recreating this bowl at home is simple because you likely have most of the ingredients on hand already. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3-4 oz cooked salmon per serving, skin removed
- 1 1⁄2 cups cooked rice per serving
- Ice cube
- Kewpie mayonnaise
- Soy sauce
- Sriracha (optional)
- 1⁄2 avocado, sliced
- 1⁄4 cup kimchi
- Scallions, sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Nori seaweed sheets (optional)
That’s it! Now let’s get cooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make Emily Mariko’s viral TikTok salmon rice bowl:
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Break up the cooked salmon into bite-sized flakes in a microwave-safe bowl using a fork.
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Layer the chilled, cooked rice over the salmon. Nestle an ice cube into the center of the rice.
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Cover the bowl loosely with a plate or parchment paper. Microwave on high for 2-2 1⁄2 minutes. The ice cube steams the rice.
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Remove the bowl from the microwave and discard any unmelted ice.
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Drizzle kewpie mayo, soy sauce, and sriracha (to taste) over the salmon and rice. Toss gently to coat.
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Top with sliced avocado, kimchi, scallions, and sesame seeds.
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At this point, you can either enjoy the salmon bowl as is, or wrap it in crispy seaweed sheets like the original TikTok.
That’s it! In just a few minutes, you can enjoy this crave-worthy viral salmon rice bowl. It’s truly easy to make, endlessly customizable, and so delicious.
Image credit: The Kitchen Know How
Tips for Making Emily Mariko’s Viral Salmon Rice Bowl
Follow these tips to make this TikTok recipe trend just like the original:
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Use wild-caught salmon for the best flavor and texture. Sockeye or king salmon are great choices.
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Cook extra salmon to have leftovers ready to flake over rice.
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If you don’t have day-old rice, cook fresh. Add a splash of water before microwaving to mimic the ice cube.
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Customize your bowl with fun toppings like shredded carrot, edamame, Sriracha, etc.
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Make extra for easy lunch meal prep. Store rice and salmon separately until ready to assemble bowls.
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If you can’t find kewpie mayonnaise, mix a pinch of sugar into regular mayo for a similar sweetness.
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Skip the nori seaweed wraps if desired. The bowl is still amazing without them!
Why This Salmon Rice Bowl Blew Up on TikTok
It’s easy to see why Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowl took TikTok by storm. Here are some reasons why it gained millions of views and became a viral recipe sensation:
- It puts leftovers to brilliant use in a quick, crave-worthy way
- The unique flavor combinations are unreal – sweet, spicy, savory, and refreshing in one bite
- Only requires a handful of ingredients that most people have on hand
- Super simple to make in just minutes
- Endlessly customizable with whatever toppings you have
- Satisfying contrast of textures from fluffy rice, tender salmon, crisp vegetables and crunchy seaweed
- Universally appealing fresh flavors
- Brilliant “ice cube” hack yields perfect rice texture
- Emily’s charming, relaxing presentation makes the recipe go viral
This bowl truly has it all. Next time you have leftover salmon and rice, don’t waste it – elevate it into Emily Mariko’s famous bowl! What are you waiting for? Head to the kitchen to make this viral TikTok recipe. Just beware – it’s dangerously addictive! Once you try it, you’ll be making this salmon rice bowl on repeat.
Making Emily Mariko’s VIRAL TikTok Salmon Bowl EVEN BETTER!
Did you know Emily Mariko made a viral rice bowl?
Emily Mariko made the humble leftovers combo of salmon and rice into an internet sensation with her creativity and charm. Now that you know how to recreate her viral rice bowl at home, you can enjoy this tasty meal any night of the week.
How do you make a viral salmon rice bowl?
The viral salmon rice bowl deserves all the attention it’s getting. Ahead, see exactly how I made the viral meal and a breakdown of the full recipe. Gently flake your salmon and spread it across a plate. Add a serving of rice on top of the salmon. Add a dash of soy sauce, sriracha, and Kewpie mayo on top. Mix all the ingredients together.
How do you cook salmon with rice?
Place the salmon in a shallow bowl and remove the skin. Use your fork to flake the fish into smaller pieces. Evenly spread out the fish throughout the bowl. Scoop the rice onto the flaked salmon and use the fork to evenly spread out the rice throughout the bowl so it heats evenly. Take one or two ice cubes and place them on top of the rice.
How do you cook salmon in a microwave?
Top the salmon with rice, and sprinkle rice with about 1 tablespoon of water. Step 2 Cover bowl with parchment or plastic wrap, and microwave until the rice is fluffy and everything is warmed through, about 2 minutes. Step 3 Remove bowl from the microwave, and discard the parchment/plastic wrap. Add soy sauce, mayonnaise and sriracha.
How do you mash salmon with rice?
It also contains red wine vinegar, rice vinegar and mustard flour so it has this smooth, savory flavor that brings a subtle creaminess when mixed into the rice. Mashing the salmon and placing an ice cube in a well in the rice keep this dish moist. Erica Chayes Wida Then, it was time to mash the salmon.