TikTok’s Viral Salmon Rice Bowl: Is It Worth It?

By: Laila Samphilipo

If you’ve scrolled through your TikTok FYP recently, you’re probably familiar with Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowl— it’s practically impossible to avoid. Currently, the video has accumulated over 61 million views and continues to grow, with numerous users remaking Mariko’s recipe to suit their own unique tastes.

So why is this recipe taking TikTok by storm?

Unlike other viral TikTok recipes, like baked feta pasta or cloud bread, Mariko’s meal is actually surprisingly easy to make. It’s no surprise this recipe has become so popular— there’s no skilled cooking required. It’s basically all reheating and assembly.

The base recipe just calls for leftover salmon and rice, as well as sriracha, kewpie mayo, soy sauce, and nori. And, of course, you can customize the recipe however you like. Mariko elevates hers by topping it with avocado and kimchi. Online, other users have even added chopped cucumbers or sesame seeds. It’s totally up to the creator.

Recipe + Process

So, I finally caved in and decided to make Mariko’s recipe after being bombarded on my FYP. I figured if everyone was raving about this famed TikTok salmon bowl, it has to be worth trying out.

Ingredients:

Leftover salmon

Leftover rice

Sriracha

Kewpie mayonnaise

Soy sauce

Nori

Avocado (optional)

Kimchi (optional)

First, I took a piece of leftover salmon and flaked it on a plate with rice. Then, in true Mariko fashion, I placed an ice cube on top, covered it with parchment paper, and microwaved until hot. After that, I removed the paper and ice, mixed the salmon and rice together, and began adding my condiments: soy sauce, sriracha, and kewpie mayo (I unfortunately only had regular mayo, but it still worked!). Mix again, and eat with nori!

This entire recipe was so much easier to make than I had anticipated— it only took me about 5-10 minutes to make. In comparison to other viral TikTok recipes, this was so much quicker. Because this recipe uses leftovers, there’s really no cooking or lengthy process involved. Yet, for such a quick and easy process, it really transformed the ingredients.

Aside from its easy preparation, the meal also had great taste. Who doesn’t like spicy mayo? Plus salmon and rice always prove to be universally delicious. When combined, it’s a delicious, simple meal that’s great for any lazy college student. It has just the right bit of heat, and although the texture of the mixture is admittedly mushy and off-putting, eating it with nori gives it a nice crunch.

The Verdict

So, the question remains— is it worth it?

Honestly, I think it depends.

And before you raise your pitchforks at my nonanswer answer, hear me out! While a lot of TikTok users seem completely infatuated by this recipe, I don’t necessarily understand that level of obsession.

Mariko’s recipe is good— but I don’t think I would go out of my way to make it again. It’s likely not a recipe I’d plan to eat regularly. That being said, I’d consider making it if I had leftover salmon and rice that I didn’t want to eat as is. Basically, it’s just the type of recipe I’d keep stored in the back of my head and whip up under the right circumstances (aka when I just really don’t want to go grocery shopping).

After this experience, I’m really glad I experimented with Mariko’s famed recipe. It’s nice to see such an easy recipe circulate on TikTok because I’m so used to seeing complex baking or cooking on the app. As a college student, convenience is king. Even though I’m not particularly crazy with the recipe, I appreciate it for what it is: a quick and easy way to transform leftovers.

I’m eager to see what Mariko comes up with next.