How to Use California roll in a Sentence

California roll

noun
  • The most classic sushi bake is inspired by the California roll.
    — Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2023
  • The California roll had light and fluffy rice and krab that tasted like it could have been caught that morning and was not frozen then thawed.
    — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024
  • 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
  • My father is given his regular California roll and a bowl of miso soup.
    — Han Ong, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
  • 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
  • Think California roll vibes with rice, avocado and crab, but skip cooking the rice by using crispy rice cakes instead.
    — Washington Post, 5 July 2021
  • The Snow Crab Taco was a creative way to taste a California roll in another shape.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2024
  • There’s a California roll with imitation crab or a spicy tuna roll that actually packs a punch of heat.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024
  • Other twists came in the form of California rolls (drizzled with truffle oil) and yellowtail tuna (diced and served in mini taco shells).
    — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 12 Mar. 2026
  • There was an entree inspired by a California roll and a performance by Paul Simon.
    — Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
  • Make sure all dishes containing seafood and eggs are fully-cooked, and opt for the California roll or a veggie roll at your favorite sushi place instead of the sashimi.
    — Sarah Bradley, Parents, 22 July 2024
  • Vegetables and soy meat are also incorporated in popular items like the California roll and spicy tuna hand roll.
    — Megha McSwain, Chron, 29 Mar. 2022
  • Costco was hoping for a quiet launch to buy its staff time to work out the kinks, but all bets were off once customers started posting on social media about the California rolls made with real crab.
    — oregonlive, 13 July 2023
  • The invention of the California roll—made from avocado and cooked crabmeat instead of raw tuna—also helped Americans get over their fear of raw fish.
    — Bee Wilson, WSJ, 12 Feb. 2022
  • Avocado and Shrimp Sushi Forget the takeout—try this homemade take on a California roll instead.
    — Coastal Living, Southern Living, 12 July 2023
  • The salmon appetizer served in April was inspired by the California roll, which Comerford said was invented by a Japanese chef.
    — Darlene Superville, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2024
  • Three servings of California rolls were discarded when they were found without proper time documentation indicating how long they had been left out of refrigeration.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Kakuna Sushi’s Milpitas location also offers casual sushi bar items like California rolls and crunchy tempura rolls.
    — Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 May 2023
  • Entree choices include curry, teriyaki beef or chicken or Korean short rib, all served with a California roll, potsticker and rice for $12 to $15.
    — Kathy Stephenson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Apr. 2021
  • Guacamole enthusiasts will enjoy this spicy California roll guacamole from cookbook author Alyse Whitney.
    — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
  • At the airport sushi counter, where prices are no more offensive than the highway robbery over rubbery personal pizzas and gigantic pretzels, a confident—and meager—crowd silently communes over their unassuming California rolls.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 June 2024
  • The limited-time offer features a diverse selection of Aburi Oshi's signature sushi bites, including salmon, tuna, spicy tuna, yellowtail, spicy salmon and California rolls.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Dec. 2024
  • The roll combines the freshness of seared Ahi Tuna, and a classic California roll with bold flavors inspired by our signature Kung Pao profile, while the smoky tableside presentation adds an unexpected sensory element.
    — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'California roll.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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