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Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

A popular restaurant-style appetizer featuring warm, pan-fried blocks of crispy sushi rice topped with a cool, creamy, and fiery raw tuna tartare.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Hours Chilling Time 2 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Party Food, Snack
Cuisine: American, Japanese Fusion
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

Crispy Rice
  • 1 cup short-grain sushi rice uncooked, rinsed well
  • 1.25 cups water
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 cup neutral oil like canola or avocado, for frying
Spicy Tuna Topping
  • 8 oz sushi-grade ahi tuna finely diced
  • 2 tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Sriracha adjust to taste
  • 0.5 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp scallions finely chopped
Garnish
  • 1 small jalapeño thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp black sesame seeds

Equipment

  • Square baking dish
  • Plastic wrap
  • Sharp Knife
  • Non-stick Skillet
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until it runs clear. Cook with the water according to package directions or in a rice cooker.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Fold this mixture into the warm cooked rice.
  3. Line a square container with plastic wrap. Press the seasoned warm rice firmly into an even, tightly packed 3/4-inch thick layer. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until very firm.
  4. Finely dice the raw sushi-grade tuna. In a bowl, mix the Kewpie mayo, Sriracha, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Fold in the diced tuna and chopped scallions until coated. Keep refrigerated.
  5. Remove the chilled rice block from the fridge and cut it into bite-sized rectangles using a wet knife.
  6. Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the rice rectangles for 2-3 minutes per side until deep golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  7. Immediately top each piece of warm crispy rice with a spoonful of the chilled spicy tuna mixture. Garnish with a jalapeño slice, black sesame seeds, and extra scallions. Serve right away.

Notes

Chilling the rice is mandatory; if you try to fry warm or freshly made rice, the blocks will fall apart in the oil.