What To Serve with Sushi (20 + Ideas!)

Sushi is a constant crowd pleaser, but how can you turn it into an extravagant meal, especially when entertaining? Here are some great ideas of What to Serve with Sushi!

Sushi is a popular and diverse dish popular in Japanese cuisine. It is made by rolling together raw fish (or another form of protein), a nori sheet, and sushi rice.

There are so many ways to combine these ingredients along with various toppings, leaving you with sushi options galore (check out these 16 Different Types of Sushi for some inspiration!). 

Sushi is spectacular, but it’s even more fun when paired with the various side dishes that make up the meal! These recipes will provide you with ideas and inspiration of What to Serve with Sushi. You can serve these at a party or just alongside your dinner menu.

What to Serve with Sushi

Here are some great options of easy sides to serve with sushi. Many of these ingredients can be found at Japanese grocery stores: 

• Wasabi Paste
• Pickled Ginger (often used as a palate cleanser between sushi variations)
• Soy Sauce 
• Tempura
• Edamame 
• Seaweed Salad
• Miso Soup 
• Bamboo Leaf
• Green Tea
• Vegetables with Miso Paste
• Dipping Sauce
• Rice Balls
• Matcha Ice Cream

Recipe Ideas for What to Serve with Sushi for a Party 

Here are some popular dish choices to serve with sushi. Some are traditional Japanese dishes and others are simply Asian-inspired side dishes.

Seared Baby Bok Choy

This seared baby bok choy recipe (from She Keeps A Lovely Home) includes a sweet, sesame-ginger, garlic-soy sauce to drizzle on top! The seared bok choy is delicious enough on its own, but with that special sauce, it’s sensational! A perfect side dish that takes less than 30 minutes to make!

Agedashi Tofu

A delicious side dish or appetizer, this Agedashi Tofu recipe (from Carmy) comes together quickly with only a few pantry staples. Crispy fried tofu coated in a savoury, umami-filled sauce, this tofu recipe comes together easily in a few simple steps.

Asparagus Tempura with Miso Aioli

The ultimate Asian-inspired appetizer, this crunchy asparagus tempura (from Tao of Spice) is served up with a mouthwateringly tasty umami-rich miso aioli. Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free adaptable.

Miso Egg Drop Soup with Kimchi

Umami rich, this miso egg drop soup with kimchi (from Tao of Spice) is brimming with flavor and is incredibly simple to prepare in less than 15-minutes. Naturally gluten-free w/ vegetarian option.

Crab Rangoons

Easy Korean Plum Wine Recipe

The easiest alcohol you can make- an easy korean plum wine recipe (from Greedy Girl Gourmet) that only requires 2-3 ingredients & a few minutes. maesil-ju, which is very similar to umeshu (japanese plum wine) and mei jiu (chinese plum wine), can be drunk on its own both hot and cold, or made into cocktails.

Cold Cucumber Salad

The easy cold cucumber salad chinese recipe (from Greedy Girl Gourmet) is delicious and full of spicy flavor but only requires 4-ingredients and 5 minutes to make. a perfect summer recipe- it’s not only super refreshing, you don’t have to slave in a hot kitchen to make it!

Miso Glazed Aubergine

This Miso Glazed Aubergine (from The Vegan Larder) is one of my all time favourite dishes that I learnt from one of my old Japanese flatmates. This is called Nasu Dengaku in Japan, and once I learnt how to make it I’ve made it again and again!

Air Fryer Shishito Peppers

Pop some shishito peppers (from The Short Order Cook) into an air fryer to char them up and you have one of the best appetizers. For a sweet, mildly spicy, and smoky bite there is nothing more simple yet delicious as these peppers. If you have never had one before, they are mild, and sweet, with hints of citrus and an almost grassy flavor.

Mushroom Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing

This warm mushroom salad (from Champagne Taste) is tossed with bitter greens and a ginger sesame dressing, and is a perfect way to use wild, homegrown, and specialty mushrooms.

Easy Pickled Ginger

Thin slices of sweet pickled ginger (from It’s Not Complicated) ; perfect to cleanse your palate and enjoy alongside sushi, sashimi and so much more. “Gari”, as it is known in Japan, is for ginger lovers, who enjoy the flavour and warmth this delicious plant has to offer.

Japanese Style Silverbeet

Blanched silverbeet (from Mrs. Jones’s Kitchen) is mixed in a Japanese sesame miso dressing to make a vegetable side that is salty, nutty and so delicious – and even loved by silverbeet sceptics!

Asian Cucumber Salad

Crunchy Asian Cucumber Salad (from Recipes From A Pantry) is tangy, flavorful, and loaded with thinly sliced cucumbers. This easy cucumber salad Asian recipe is the perfect side dish to serve with all of your favorite Asian-style dishes and requires very little prep time.

Sugar Snap Peas

10 Minute, quickly sauteed sugar snap peas recipe (from Healing Tomato) with mint and ginger mixture. This stir fried snap peas are an easy summer vegan side dish to make.

Air Fryer Gyoza

Gyoza (from Hungry, Healthy, Happy) is always our go-to for a quick and easy meal or snack. Although they are usually steamed, we have cooked them in the air fryer, not only because it’s easy, but they get deliciously crispy. Cooked from frozen, this is the only way we cook gyoza now.

Cold Silken Tofu

Cold silken tofu (from Couple Eats Food) is a simple side dish that is popular in East Asia. We love it because it’s a no-cook recipe, and is ready in 5 minutes top! This savory tofu dish requires a handful of basic ingredients, and will make any non-tofu lover turn into a tofu fanatic!

Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings

Fast, easy, and extremely flavourful, these Air Fryer Rice Paper Dumplings (from Galaxy Gastronomy) are so simple to make! Crispy on the outside, chewy inside, and loaded with healthy veggies and Asian-inspired flavors, these vegan rice paper dumplings are perfect for a party appetizer or snack. This air fryer recipe is completely gluten-free as well!

Konjac Jelly with Fruits

Delicious, low-calorie and high in fiber, traditional japanese konjac jelly with fruits (from Greedy Girl Gourmet) is almost the perfect gluten-free, vegan dessert for those on a diet. it’s extra refreshing in the summer!

Broccolini with Asian Marinade

Sauteed broccolini (from Cooking with Elo) is great as a side dish and can be eaten hot or cold during fall, winter and spring. The 4-ingredient Asian dressing brings the flavors to the next level and won’t disappoint you.