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
Recent Examples on the Web
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
London-favorite items on the food menu include fish and chips and chicken tikka masala, served beside LA specials such as a California roll, tofu pho, tuna poke bowl, and California fig salad.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2025
Squares of eel are splayed over a torched, cut California roll with a mascarpone foam and the restaurant’s chile eel sauce.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Wrap scoops of that with crisp sheets of nori, maybe even sneak a sliver of avocado or crab in there, and relish in your own makeshift California rolls.
—Eric Kim, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for California roll
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
London-favorite items on the food menu include fish and chips and chicken tikka masala, served beside LA specials such as a California roll, tofu pho, tuna poke bowl, and California fig salad.
—Nina Ruggiero, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2025
Squares of eel are splayed over a torched, cut California roll with a mascarpone foam and the restaurant’s chile eel sauce.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Wrap scoops of that with crisp sheets of nori, maybe even sneak a sliver of avocado or crab in there, and relish in your own makeshift California rolls.
—Eric Kim, New York Times, 19 Feb. 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 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share