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It’s sushi night! Whether making your own or picking it up from the store, isn’t it great to know there are lists like this one that can help you pick out the perfect side dishes for sushi?
Below, you’ll find our list of sides, plus tips for picking up the easiest sides for sushi that you can pick up from the store, and Asian-Inspired Ingredients You Can Buy Online.
Need the list of the EASIEST ideas for what to serve with sushi? Sure you do. We all do.
Sometimes the best sides are the kind you don’t have to make yourself. Here’s our list of some of the best sides for sushi that you can add alongside that don’t take much work and can be picked up easily at the store.
- Gyoza. Find them fresh in the case with the prepared sushi or buy them in the frozen foods. Also called Chinese Dumplings or Pot Stickers. Reheat with a bit of water in the microwave.
- Seaweed salad. Usually available in the cold case with the sushi and gyoza also, it’s a simple mix of bright green seaweed and seasonings, eaten cold.
- Pick up a pack of heat-and-eat egg rolls from the freezer. Follow the directions for the air fryer. Don’t use the microwave if you can avoid it; it can make the dough wrapper chewy.
- Edamame (soybean pods). You can buy it frozen; just steam or boil it and toss with sea salt to serve as a side for sushi.
- Do you have an Asian supermarket near you? They offer a ton of imported, ready-to-eat foods. If not, you can get Chappegetti (jjajangmyeon) or the japchae noodle bowl online.
- Stir-fried greens. Did you know you can take most mixed salad greens and toss a handful in your frying pan with some sesame oil? You have some warmed and seasoned greens alongside your sushi three minutes later.
- Uncle Ben’s and Minute Rice individual cups of fast, microwave jasmine rice.
- PF Chang sells a frozen vegetable lo mein, which will pair nicely as a side for sushi, especially if you are craving a hot dish side that goes with sushi.
What To Serve With Sushi
1. Air Fryer Green Beans
Blistered green beans with nicely crisped edges come out of the air fryer in about ten minutes. A splash of soy or sesame at the end and they fit right in next to a sushi platter.
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2. Asian Slaw
Serve this Asian Slaw alongside your favorite sushi dish and watch it disappear. The recipe offers a nice blend of fresh veggies dressed in a complex and savory sauce.
Pro tip: Letting the slaw chill in the fridge is the secret to unlocking the its full flavors.
3. Keto Egg Drop Soup
Silky egg ribbons in a rich but simple broth, you won’t find any cornstarch in this egg drop soup. Light enough to leave room for one more sushi roll.
4. Masago Ponzu Shoyu
The unique aspect of this recipe is the combination of masago, cilantro, and lemon wedges.
This sauce is not only a tasty accompaniment to sushi but also works well as a dipping sauce for grilled King Trumpet or Oyster mushrooms.
5. Marinated Tomatoes
Tomatoes soaked in garlic, herbs, and vinegar bring the bright, acidic bite alongside a sushi spread. Make them a day ahead for even deeper flavors.
6. Sweet Potato Rounds
Roasted sweet potato coins, crisp at the edges and tender in the middle. Sweet potato rolls are a sushi staple, and these go great with sushi.
7. Panko Oven Roasted Zucchini Rounds
Zucchini coins under crunchy panko, roasted until golden. They offer tempura crunch without heating up a pot of oil.
8. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Oven fries with crisp edges and soft centers. Serve them with spicy mayo or my bang-bang sauce for a great dip.
9. Microwave Glazed Carrots
Sweet, buttery glazed carrots straight from the microwave. A no-burner side for when the counter is covered in sushi rolling mats.
10. Skillet Fried Corn
Sweet corn charred in a hot skillet with butter. A little smoke and sweetness that plays well against delicate rolls.
11. Farro Salad with Roast Vegetables
Chewy farro tossed with roasted vegetables that’s good warm or cold. This is particularly good alongside nigiri as a rice swap.
12. How to Cook Broccoli in the Microwave
Steamed broccoli in about four minutes, no steamer basket needed. A steamed broc takes on any Asian-style sauce or seasoning in its path.
13. Steamed Green Beans with Lemon
Snappy green beans with lemon, steamed in minutes. Clean, bright, an easy tender green side dish.
14. Blackened Broccoli
Broccoli seared dark in a hot pan for real char. This recipe is an easy broc that offers big roasty flavor that stands up next to a sushi spread.
15. Air Fryer Kale Chips
If fresh kale is too tough and bitter for you, try this recipe for crisp chips. Fresh kale is transformed into a delicate, savory snack with just a few seasonings and the magic of air frying. The unique cooking technique ensures a perfect crunch every time.
The bottom line
Sushi is a treat, no matter if you make it at home or getting it as takeout. Sometimes you just want some ideas for adding a couple of sides for sushi, and I hope this list helped!
Check out our punch list of even more essential Asian pantry items and spices.
