If you’ve ever found yourself in a salmon rut, making the same baked or grilled version over and over, this crispy sesame salmon bites bowl is the perfect way to switch things up. It’s protein-packed, flavorful, and comes together in under 30 minutes, making it just as perfect for a quick lunch as it is for a nutritious weeknight dinner.
The Inspiration
This recipe was inspired by Life Made Sweeter’s viral salmon bites that took over social media, and for good reason. Salmon and soy sauce are a natural match, and when you add layers of heat, sweetness, and tang, you get an umami flavor bomb that wakes up your taste buds instantly.
I took that idea and put my own spin on it, marinating bite-sized pieces of salmon in a mixture of soy sauce, hot honey, white wine vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil. After a quick marinade, the salmon is pan-fried until golden and crispy on both sides, then served over fluffy basmati rice with steamed broccoli and an over-easy fried egg. A sprinkle of sesame seeds ties it all together.
Why You’ll Love This Bowl
- Protein-packed: Between the salmon and the egg, you’re getting a solid boost of protein to keep you full.
- Balanced & satisfying: Rice and broccoli make this a complete, nourishing meal.
- Crispy meets saucy: The golden crust on the salmon pairs perfectly with that glossy, umami marinade.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite toppings—avocado, kimchi, or a drizzle of spicy mayo if you like extra heat.
The Recipe
- Marinate the salmon – Cube salmon into bite-sized pieces and let it sit in soy sauce, hot honey, vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil for about 15 minutes.
- Pan fry until golden – Heat a little oil in a skillet and sear salmon bites until crisp and caramelized on all sides.
- Build your bowl – Start with warm basmati rice, add steamed broccoli, top with your crispy salmon bites, and slide on an over-easy fried egg.
- Finish & serve – Sprinkle with white sesame seeds and add a drizzle of spicy mayo or sriracha if you want a kick.
Meal Prep & Variations
- Air fryer or oven baked: You can cook the salmon in the air fryer or oven instead of pan-frying, it’ll still get golden and crispy.
- Different grains: Try jasmine rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- Extra toppings: Add pickled cucumbers, shredded carrots, or a spoonful of kimchi for more texture and flavor.
This is exactly the kind of meal I crave when I want something that feels a little extra but is still easy to pull together. It’s nutritious, filling, and just downright delicious.
Would you try this crispy sesame salmon bites bowl? Let me know in the comments how you’d customize it, what toppings would you add to make it your own?
Crispy Sesame Salmon Bites Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon, skin removed and cubed
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, or soy sauce replacement
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp hot honey, or regular honey, plus sriracha for heat if desired
- 1 tbsp brown sugar, or maple syrup
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
To season salmon
- 1 tsp ginger paste, or ground ginger
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp no-salt-added seafood seasoning, like Tony’s
- 1 tbsp olive oil, for pan searing
To serve
- White sesame seeds, to taste
- Spicy mayo of choice, optional, for serving
- Cooked basmati rice, for serving
- Steamed broccoli, for serving
- 1 Fried egg
Instructions
- Cut 1 lb of salmon into bite-sized cubes, making sure the skin is removed. Place the salmon in a bowl and season with 1 tsp ginger paste or powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp no salt added seafood seasoning like Tony’s.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp hot honey (or regular honey with a drizzle of sriracha if you like extra heat), 1 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup, and 1 tsp white wine vinegar.
- Pour the marinade over the salmon, toss to coat, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the salmon bites in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy on the edges and cooked through. Sprinkle with white sesame seeds to taste.
- To build your bowl, start with a scoop of warm cooked basmati rice, add steamed broccoli, and top with the crispy sesame salmon bites, top with fried egg. Drizzle with spicy mayo of your choice or a squeeze of sriracha, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
