Sushi + Burrito = The Ultimate Handheld Meal

Sushirrito offers burrito-sized sushi rolls that are on the cusp of becoming the trendiest handheld snack to hit the foodie world. According to its website, Peter Yen created the Sushirrito brand, trademarked it in 2008, and opened his first restaurant in 2011 in the Bay Area with Ty Mahler, executive chef.

However, if you're Korean, then you'll recognize the "sushi burrito" as an uncut Korean rice roll (gimbap; also romanized as kimbap), the quintessential snack food for children, students, and adults on the go. So it's not unusual to see Koreans eating uncut gimbap because of its handheld portability.

Japanese will also recognize this as an ehou-maki (an uncut maki roll), which started as a tradition in the Kansai region that became popular nationwide. By using seven ingredients, not cutting the roll, and facing the year's lucky direction, good luck is guaranteed.

Simply put, the concept of an uncut sushi roll has been around for a long time in other countries. But the recent appeal of the sushi burrito in the U.S. can be attributed to North America's current obsession with Asian-Mexican fusion cuisine.

Although most sushi burrito recipes seem to skew more Asian than Mexican, a sushi burrito is versatile and can be made with whatever ingredients you prefer—be they Asian, Mexican, or something completely different.

Create Your Own Custom Sushi Burrito

If you're interested in creating your own sushi burrito, follow this simple ratio formula.

• 1 dried seaweed sheet (nori)
• 1 cup cooked white or brown rice, cooled
• 2 parts crunchy sliced greens (such as lettuce, baby kale, or spinach)
• 2 parts crunchy vegetables (such as cucumber, carrots, or red cabbage)
• 1 part avocado, cheese, or a creamy component of your choice
• 1 part pickled vegetable (such as onions, radish, pickles, or kimchi)
• 1 protein component (such as fish, chicken, tofu, beef, eggs, or beans)
• sauce (optional)

Some great ideas for sauces include sriracha mayo, teriyaki sauce, pico de gallo, or anything else you prefer.

The sushi burrito I'm creating here includes shaved lettuce, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, sliced avocado, sweet potatoes, beans in sauce, and sriracha mayo. Feel free to follow my ingredients list or create your own.

Let's Get Rolling!

1. Lay out a piece of nori, shiny side down, onto a bamboo sushi mat. (If you don't have a bamboo mat, you can still roll a sushi burrito without one.)
2. Spread the rice evenly, leaving about ½ inch at the top and bottom of the seaweed.

3. Layer the ingredients in the center of rice, leaving room above and below the rice.
4. Drizzle sauce, if using, over the center of the ingredients.

5. Put your thumbs underneath the bamboo mat, then pick up the mat and roll the mat away from you and toward the other side of the mat until you've passed the center that contains the filling.
6. Curve your hands over the top of the mat and press gently to push all of the filling together into what will be the center of the roll.
7. Release the mat, then continue to roll the sushi burrito toward the other side of the mat, being sure to squeeze gently with each roll to keep the ingredients tightly wrapped.

Like I mentioned before, sushi burritos are adaptable and can be filled with anything you like or have on hand. The most important thing to remember is that a variety of textures and seasonings is necessary for a seriously tasty sushi burrito.

Here are some additional combinations that may get your tummy grumbling:

• Japanese-Style:sushi rice, sushi-grade raw fish, julienned cucumbers, sliced lettuce, sliced avocados, and pickled onions
• Vegetarian Fusion: rice, beans, tofu, sliced avocados, sliced leafy greens, pico de gallo, and pickled jalapeños
• The Philly: rice, smoked salmon, cream cheese, julienned cucumbers, and sliced red onions
• Chicken Burrito: rice, seasoned chicken, beans, pepper jack cheese, sliced avocados, sliced lettuce, and pico de gallo
• Teriyaki Steak & Eggs: rice, sliced and seasoned skirt steak, eggs, sliced leafy greens, pickled onions, sliced avocados, and teriyaki sauce

Let us know what your perfect sushi burrito would include in the comments below.

More Sushi Related Food Hacks:

• The Easy Way to Make Delicious Maki Sushi Rolls at Home
• Deconstructed Sushi for All the Flavor & None of the Labor
• How to Make Party-Style Temari Sushi
• How to Make Sushi with Sriracha Instead of Seaweed
• DIY Dessert Sushi: 3 Irresistible, Easy-to-Make Recipes

Photos by Naomi Imatome-Yun / Food Hacks