California roll
noun
: a type of sushi roll containing avocado, cucumber, and cooked crabmeat or imitation crabmeat with a wrapping of seaweed and rice
The California roll, a stout roll of avocado, imitation crab (actually compressed pollock) and cucumber, was perhaps the first sushi variant to be developed in North America.—
Matt Lee et al.
Matt Lee et al.The most impressive sushi of the evening, however, was his version of the so-called California roll, which originated in Los Angeles.—Caroline Bates
Caroline BatesExamples of California roll in a Sentence
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Or for a little bit of everything, the bento box comes with half a California roll; two gyoza; tempura veggie; steamed rice, soup or salad; and a choice of teriyaki chicken, teriyaki beef, or teriyaki shrimp.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Forty-five people in 18 states recently contracted salmonella in an outbreak linked to cucumbers from Bedner Growers in Palm Beach County, setting off a widespread recall that has affected everything from California rolls sold at Target to banh mi sandwiches served at a North Carolina high school.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 7 June 2025
Aunt Cass Café had soba noodle salad, California roll sandwich, and—my obsession—San Fransokyo Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2025
Similar attention is paid to signature dishes and various options including a tuna poke bowl, California roll, tofu pho, Californian fig salad and more.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for California roll
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Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Forty-five people in 18 states recently contracted salmonella in an outbreak linked to cucumbers from Bedner Growers in Palm Beach County, setting off a widespread recall that has affected everything from California rolls sold at Target to banh mi sandwiches served at a North Carolina high school.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 7 June 2025
Aunt Cass Café had soba noodle salad, California roll sandwich, and—my obsession—San Fransokyo Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2025
Similar attention is paid to signature dishes and various options including a tuna poke bowl, California roll, tofu pho, Californian fig salad and more.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for California roll
Cite this Entry
“California roll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20roll. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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