What to Serve With Sushi: 20 Delicious Side Dishes

If you are a fan of sushi, we can't blame you. This Japanese dish is quite popular among people worldwide. Courtesy of fresh rice combined with fish makes the duo perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Sushi is loved and consumed by everyone, and you may even find it in even the most basic restaurants. If you have planned to make or serve sushi at home, do it in the proper way.

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with sushi are edamame, spinach, cheese risotto, cauliflower tots, matzo ball soup, cabbage soup, tabasco sauce, fried pickles, tempeh, quinoa salad, cold cucumber salad, pickled ginger, miso soup, rice balls, Matcha ice cream, kani salad, gyoza, tempura, and seaweed salad. 

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Edamame

Edamame is nutritious, healthy, and green. You can prepare it in your instant pot within five minutes using water, salt, and pepper.

This side dish goes great with sushi and is also an excellent option for a light lunch or dinner. Try the dish and share your feedback with us.

2. Spinach

Since spinach is light and healthy, it complements sushi well. It goes great with fish and rice and be seasoned according to your spice preference.

The recipe shared uses garlic, onions, back pepper, and chili powder to give this side dish its amazing taste. You are free to customize the dish according to your flavor.

3. Cheese Risotto

This is a comparatively new side dish to be served with sushi. However, it is worth a try, especially if you want to feed it to a crowd.

Cheese risotto uses goat cheese for a nice texture and taste. Other ingredients include spinach leaves, rice, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and red wine. If you don't like wine, replace it with soy sauce.

4. Cauliflower Tots 

Instead of serving a plate of fries with sushi, make these delicious and healthy cauliflower tots. These tots are perfect for anyone on a gluten-free diet. Besides, they are soft and crunchy with potatoes and cauliflower, giving you an incredibly delicious treat to try.

5. Matzo Ball Soup 

A bowl of soup tastes incredible with sushi, and we have an amazing recipe for you. Matzo ball soup is one of its kind and features various ingredients. For instance, to make the soup, you will require peppercorns, shallots, celery, onions, garlic, carrots and chicken breast.

This is a hearty soup and tastes divine with sushi. You will love having it in cold months.

6. Cabbage Soup 

If you are looking for an alternative to matzo soup, we recommend cabbage soup. This is also quite light and healthy.

To make the best cabbage soup, you need green cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, sage, vegetable broth and some other essential ingredients. Serve the soup as an appetizer, and enjoy your sushi after completing the bowl.

7. Tabasco Sauce

Spice up your sushi by serving it with homemade tabasco sauce. This is a unique combination but definitely a good one.

Make an excellent sauce with just three ingredients within 20 minutes. Ensure to make a big batch and then store it in an airtight jar for future use.

8. Fried Pickles 

These spicy and savory pickles are pretty tempting and delicious. You can serve them as a side dish with sushi, thanks to their crusty exterior and soft interior.

Follow the tagged recipe to make the best fried pickles. Server them fresh and hot.

9. Tempeh

Tempeh is another unique side dish to eat with sushi. Tempeh is made of soy and has many nutritional benefits.

According to the tagged recipe, use soy sauce, garlic powder, and vegetable broth for cooking tempeh and then seasoning it before serving. You can also cook frozen vegetables.

10. Quinoa Salad

Next, we have the best and most healthy quinoa salad for you. Quinoa tastes amazing with sushi and has many interesting benefits for your body.

To make this salad, you need a few ingredients like quinoa, butternut squash, onions, brussels sprouts, apple, lemon juice, and other things. Make a big bowl and serve yourself a delicious dinner.

11. Cold Cucumber Salad

Entice your taste buds with this amazing and tasty cold cucumber salad and sushi. The salad is delicious and contains cucumbers, onions, and vinegar to give you a savory taste.

If you want to enjoy the best salad, place it in your refrigerator for two hours to stay fresh and cold for a long time.

12. Pickled Ginger

Also known as Gari, pickled ginger is quite favorite among the Japanese. To make the best Gari, you need ginger root, salt, rice vinegar and sugar. All the required steps are mentioned in the recipe card, so follow and prepare a wonderful side dish within 30 minutes.

13. Miso Soup

Miso soup is an authentic Japanese dish with lots of benefits and flavors to offer. The dish is quite hearty and includes wakame seaweed and tofu. It has a light taste which is why it can be paired with sushi.

Try the tagged recipe and share your experience.

14. Grilled Vegetables With Miso Sauce

This side dish is a perfect option to cook on a weeknight. It is quick, healthy, and pretty budget-friendly. The dish features a miso sauce that hits the right notes with miso paste, brown sugar, garlic, vinegar, green onions and sesame oil.

We love this dish with sushi and think that you would too.

15. Rice Balls

These beautiful balls of rice will melt in your mouth. They are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Although you will require many ingredients to make the perfect rice balls, the results will overcome all the guilt you may have while cooking them.

These rice balls are loved by both kids and adults alike. You can customize the recipe when serving them to your children.

16. Matcha Ice Cream

Have you ever had Matcha ice cream with sushi? If not, now is the time to try this amazing combination.

Matcha ice cream is pretty sweet and earthy. It is a refreshing treat and is made with just a few ingredients.

This ice cream will give you a taste of Japan and will make your tastebuds dance with joy.

17. Kani Salad

This salad is also famously known as crab stick salad. The dish features crab sticks, carrots, and cucumbers. The dressing is made from creamy mayo and fresh lemon juice.

If you love Japanese cuisine, you will definitely fall in love with this salad. Serve it with your homemade sushi and enjoy.

18. Gyoza

Gyoza has a soft interior and a crispy and golden-brown exterior. You can also call the dish Japanese pan-fried dumplings made with lots of love.

These dumplings taste great as a side dish with sushi and are worth every bite.

19. Tempura

It is hard to say no to tempura. The dish features a crispy batter and is perfect as a side dish. You can make lots of tempuras at home and serve them to your guests.

Follow the tagged recipe and receive lots of praise.

20. Seaweed Salad

Last but not least, this seaweed salad is also an excellent side dish. It has a beautiful taste and texture. Besides, seaweed has unlimited health benefits.

When serving with sushi, avoid going overboard with flavors. Instead, use light flavors and let the original flavor stand out.

Raise your hands if we have impressed you with a selection of side dishes to serve with sushi. Pick your favorite options and make them today. We assure you that you won't be disappointed.

Sushi Recipes

Alaska Roll

Las Vegas Roll

Dragon Roll

Instant Pot Sushi Rice