A Gentle Seasonal Take on Chirashi Sushi
As part of my ongoing sakura parade in the kitchen, I created this spring-inspired dish using salt-preserved cherry blossoms, delicately scattered over a bed of sushi rice and seasonal toppings.
What’s Chirashi?
Chirashi-zushi (ちらし寿司), literally “scattered sushi,” is a freestyle type of sushi served in a bowl, plate, or box.
Instead of rolling or shaping, you arrange toppings over vinegared rice in a balanced and colorful way—making it both expressive and simple.
Chirashi sush/ zushi, everything scattered, 具材ちりばめられたちらし寿司
Recipe and Cooking Details in Photos
0. Prepare Salted Sakura
- Rinse and soak salted cherry blossoms in lukewarm water for 30 minutes to remove excess salt. Gently pat dry.
1. Make Sushi Rice
- For 1 cup of short-grain Japanese rice:
Mix together:- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp fine salt
→ Pour the mixture over freshly cooked hot rice, then mix gently.
Adjust seasoning depending on your chosen toppings.
2. Mix and Cool
- Using a large bowl (preferably wooden), gently mix the seasoned rice using a cutting motion to avoid crushing the grains.
Fan the rice as you go to cool quickly—this prevents stickiness and brings out a glossy finish.
3. Add Seasonal Toppings
- Sea bream (tai) sashimi – thinly sliced and gently pressed between kombu for enhanced umami
- Boiled canola flower (or any spring green) – blanched and soy-rinsed to soften and add light flavor
- Scrambled egg – a fluffy version with a touch of sugar for mild sweetness
4. Finish with Sakura
- Finally, delicately scatter the sakura blossoms on top—adding both fragrance and visual poetry to your chirashi.
サクラパレード、引き続き開催中: 桜ちらし寿司
サクラパレード、引き続き開催中です。
今回は、桜の塩漬けを使った春色のちらし寿司をつくってみました。
少し贅沢して、日系スーパーで新鮮な鯛のお刺身を調達。
野菜には、現地で見つけた“Baby kailan（小芥蘭）”という、極太の菜の花のような青菜を使用。
さっと茹でてからおかあげし、しょうゆ洗いでほのかな旨味をプラス。
シャキッとした歯ごたえ、鮮やかな緑、そしてほろ苦さが心地よいアクセントに。
錦糸卵にするつもりが少しバタバタしてしまい、最終的には甘めのふんわりスクランブルエッグに。
卵２個に砂糖小さじ1.5を加え、薄く油をひいたフライパンでやさしく火を入れました。
仕上げは、炊きたての酢飯に具材をバランスよく盛り付けて、
桜の花をふわりと散らせば、春を感じる一皿の完成です。
This post has a Video: Watch on Instagram✨（インスタにリール動画掲載しています）
A short Instagram reel to share the idea of the process & flow can be accessed from link below. (25 sec video)
要所要所のポイントや流れを数十秒でご紹介しています：
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