Alaska Rolls: Everything You Need to Know

If you have ever been to a sushi bar and noticed Alaska rolls on the menu, you may have been tempted to try them out for yourself.

However, it’s always best to understand what you should expect when ordering a random food item at a restaurant or bar.

When it comes to Alaska rolls, there are two key factors you should know:

There is no singular or set-in-stone version of what these rolls look like.
The majority of all Alaska roll versions include salmon.

If you don’t like salmon, you may have gotten a nasty surprise by ordering blind.

Very often, an Alaskan roll is as simple as a California roll that has some slices of salmon atop it. In their simplest and purest form, California rolls are made with sushi rice, avocado, dried seaweed, crab, and, on occasions, cucumber or radish.

These are typically made “inside-out” as well. This means that the rice is rolled on the outside of the seaweed first.

Alaska rolls tend to have distinct variations, especially when compared to the salmon-topped California roll.

One common Alaska roll is often described as an “inside-out roll stuffed with salmon and avocado.” This type is generally rolled in panko bread crumbs before being deep-fried.

On the other hand, you may see an Alaska roll presented as more of a regular maki roll. This is a roll with the rice inside rather than outside. These are stuffed with smoked salmon, crab, and avocado.

While there are variations of an Alaska roll, many sushi lovers would agree that the combination of salmon, crab, rice, and avocado is usually a winning and delicious mixture.

However, there are some types that we believe are the very best Alaska rolls out there.

The great thing about Alaska rolls, and sushi for that matter, is that you can make it at home easily or just head to a sushi bar and eat a selection in no time.

Whether you’re preparing the roll at home or dining out, we recommend finding salmon that is sustainably fished. Two types of salmon that are famous for their flavor and texture are Coho and Chinook.

Moreover, frozen-at-sea fish is generally considered to be the freshest option for sushi rolls. But, if you opt for non-frozen salmon, you need to ensure it has a firm, dense texture, and no overpowering fishy scent.

You can also order Alaska rolls with crab as well as salmon. If you choose one of these rolls, you should avoid the imitation crab materials and go for pot-caught Alaskan King Crabs. These are not only a sustainable choice but also a very delicious one too.

Lastly, once you have made your Alaska roll choice, make sure that you eat your sushi in the correct manner.

Do not dip your Alaska roll in a mixture of soy sauce and wasabi as this will simply drown out any delicate flavors from the salmon and crab. Dip with caution and go light on the wasabi.