What is in a Caterpillar Roll sushi?

A traditional Caterpillar roll includes grilled eel, cucumber, sushi rice, and avocado slices layered on top to resemble a caterpillar’s back. It’s usually drizzled with sweet eel sauce and sometimes garnished with sesame seeds or tobiko for extra flavor and texture.

What is the difference between Caterpillar Roll and Dragon Roll?

While both rolls feature avocado on top, the Caterpillar roll focuses on cooked eel and cucumber inside, while the Dragon roll often uses tempura shrimp or crab and may include additional fish or colorful garnishes. The Dragon roll tends to be more elaborate, while the Caterpillar roll has a cleaner, more minimalist look.

Does Caterpillar Roll have raw fish?

Traditionally, no. The Caterpillar roll uses cooked eel, making it a great choice for sushi beginners or anyone who prefers to avoid raw seafood. However, some modern variations may add raw tuna or salmon for extra flavor.

What is in a Kroger Caterpillar Roll?

Kroger’s version typically contains sushi rice, cucumber, avocado, and either eel or imitation crab, topped with eel sauce. The flavor profile is similar to a homemade roll, but the ingredients are adjusted for packaging and storage, meaning the avocado is often firmer and the eel sauce slightly sweeter.

Caterpillar Roll – The Best Sushi Recipe to Try at Home (2025)

Description

A homemade Caterpillar Roll sushi with avocado, eel or shrimp tempura, cucumber, and sweet eel sauce – perfect for sushi night at home.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups sushi rice
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
4 sheets nori
8 oz cooked eel or shrimp tempura
1 cucumber, julienned
1 avocado, thinly sliced
Eel sauce, for drizzle
Sesame seeds, optional

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Instructions

Cook sushi rice and season with vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Lay nori on bamboo mat, shiny side down.
Spread rice evenly, leaving 1 inch at top.
Add eel or shrimp tempura and cucumber in center.
Roll tightly using bamboo mat.
Top with avocado slices.
Drizzle with eel sauce and sprinkle sesame seeds.
Slice and serve with wasabi and pickled ginger.

Notes

Use sushi-grade ingredients for best results.
Wet your knife before slicing to prevent sticking.
For a lighter version, use grilled fish or tofu instead of tempura.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Rolling
Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 roll (8 pieces)
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 45mg