Key Takeaways
Follow the one-roll rule: As a baseline, order 1 to 1.5 rolls (about 6 to 9 pieces) per person for a standard lunch, or up to 2 rolls for heavy appetites and after-hours events.
Decode platter sizes: Small platters (4–5 rolls) feed 3–4 people; medium platters (6–8 rolls) feed 5–7; and large platters (10–12 rolls) feed 8–10.
Balance the raw and the cooked: Always mix traditional raw sushi with approachable cooked options (like shrimp tempura or California rolls) for first-timers.
Stretch the budget with sides: Add edamame, miso soup, and gyoza. These round out the meal and provide excellent alternatives for non-sushi eaters.
Swap the soy sauce: Standard soy sauce contains wheat. Always request tamari on the side to safely accommodate gluten-free employees.
Ordering sushi catering for the office involves more decisions than just picking a restaurant. There's platter sizes, roll variety, dietary needs across the team, and what to serve alongside the rolls.
This guide walks through everything that goes into a good office sushi order, from portioning and platter sizes to roll variety and pairings, so you can order with confidence whether you're feeding a small team or catering a much larger event.
A good starting point is one roll, or about six pieces, per person, with two rolls per person when sushi is the centerpiece of the meal. The sections below break down how to fine-tune that for your specific team and occasion.
These ranges work well for a typical weekday office lunch, when employees may be eating between meetings. For after-hours events or occasions where sushi is the main attraction, consider ordering closer to two rolls per person to avoid running short without creating too much waste.
How many sushi rolls to order per person
Once you know your headcount, it's easier to scale rolls up or down based on appetite. Use the table below as a starting point, then adjust for your specific team and event type.
Group size | Light appetite (~1 roll/person) | Standard appetite (~1.5 rolls/person) | Hearty appetite (~2 rolls/person) |
10 people | 10 rolls | 15 rolls | 20 rolls |
25 people | 25 rolls | 38 rolls | 50 rolls |
50 people | 50 rolls | 75 rolls | 100 rolls |
Understanding sushi platter sizes
Most sushi caterers organize orders into platter sizes rather than individual rolls, which makes it easier to plan for a group. While exact roll counts vary by restaurant, platters commonly break down as follows:
Small platter: typically 4 to 5 rolls, enough for 3 to 4 people
Medium platter: typically 6 to 8 rolls, enough for 5 to 7 people
Large platter: typically 10 to 12 rolls, enough for 8 to 10 people
Apart from platters, individually boxed sushi meals are worth considering too. If you're serving a client meeting or want an easier grab-and-go setup, individually packaged sushi boxes may be a better fit than shared platters, since each person gets their own sealed portion.
Building a balanced sushi catering order
Variety matters as much as quantity. Many caterers recommend leaning mostly on classic rolls, filling in with a smaller share of specialty rolls, and rounding out the order with vegetarian options so there's something for every preference on the team.
For office settings, cooked rolls, like California, shrimp tempura, or sweet potato, are a safe default for first-time sushi eaters. Mixing in a few classic raw options alongside cooked rolls and vegetarian rolls covers most preferences without overcomplicating the order.
What goes well with sushi
Sushi rarely stands alone on an office catering order. The right sides and drinks round out the meal, stretch the food further across a larger team, and give people who aren't sushi fans something to reach for.
Miso soup: A warm, savory starter that balances the cool, fresh flavors of raw fish and travels well for office delivery.
Edamame: Lightly salted and easy to share, edamame is a simple side that works for almost any team.
Seaweed salad: Adds a tangy, crunchy contrast to soft rice and fish, and holds up well as a shared platter side.
Gyoza or spring rolls: A cooked, shareable option that appeals to team members who are still warming up to raw fish.
Pickled ginger and wasabi: These aren't just garnish. They cleanse the palate between rolls so each bite tastes fresh.
Green tea or sparkling water: Both cut through the richness of soy sauce and fried components without overpowering delicate sushi flavors, and they're easy defaults for a professional lunch spread.
For a simple team order, pairing miso soup or edamame with a mixed roll platter covers most preferences without adding much to the total cost.
Sushi catering for different office occasions
Sushi catering fits a range of workplace moments, and the occasion can shape how much you order:
Team lunches: stick to the standard one-to-two-rolls-per-person range.
Client meetings: sushi platters present well and work nicely as a shared, professional spread. For an easier grab-and-go setup, individually boxed sushi meals can be a better fit than shared platters.
Celebrations and milestones: consider ordering slightly more variety, since these events often run longer.
Lunch and learns: cooked, easy-to-eat rolls let attendees focus on the presentation instead of managing chopsticks.
Accounting for dietary needs and allergies when ordering sushi
Before you finalize your sushi catering order, check in on dietary needs across the team. A few adjustments go a long way:
Offer vegetarian rolls with avocado, cucumber, or pickled vegetables.
Include gluten-free options where available, and ask about tamari sauce as a gluten-free alternative to standard soy sauce.
Ordering sushi catering for your office with DoorDash for Business
DoorDash for Business’ corporate catering is built for exactly this kind of planning. It's designed for groups of 10 to 200 people, with catering-specific menus that show clear serving guidance so you're not left guessing how many rolls to order.
If your team is smaller, Group Orders lets up to 15 employees add their own sushi picks to a shared cart, so everyone gets exactly what they want without one person guessing on behalf of the group.
For teams that order sushi or other catering regularly, our office lunch catering guide and our guide to building a year-round group lunch plan walk through how to make recurring team meals easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many sushi rolls should I order per person for an office lunch?
For a standard weekday office lunch where people are eating between meetings, plan for 1 to 1.5 rolls per person. If you are hosting a longer after-hours event where sushi is the main attraction and appetites are heavier, increase your estimate to 2 rolls per person to ensure you don't run short.
What size sushi platters do I need for my team?
While exact roll counts vary by restaurant, most caterers follow a standard sizing structure. A small platter typically includes 4 to 5 rolls and feeds 3 to 4 people. A medium platter has 6 to 8 rolls to feed 5 to 7 people. A large platter contains 10 to 12 rolls, making it perfect for groups of 8 to 10 people.
What are the best sides to serve with office sushi catering?
Sides are essential for rounding out a sushi order and keeping costs manageable. Warm, savory options like miso soup and edamame travel incredibly well. Additionally, ordering hot sides like gyoza (dumplings) or spring rolls ensures that team members who do not like raw fish still have a filling meal to enjoy.
How do I handle dietary restrictions when ordering sushi?
Sushi is naturally accommodating for many diets. To build an inclusive order, include dedicated vegetarian rolls made with avocado, cucumber, or sweet potato. The most important modification is for gluten-free diets: standard soy sauce contains wheat, so you must explicitly request tamari as a safe, gluten-free alternative.
