Fiery and Exciting! Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Hey Sporks! We have something exciting and delicious to share with you today – a mouthwatering spicy tuna crispy rice recipe!

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is a popular Asian American appetizer that combines the flavors of sushi and crispy rice into one irresistible bite. It’s made with crisp, pan-seared rice cakes topped with spicy tuna tartare and garnished with a flavorful assortment of ingredients.

If you’re a fan of sushi and would like to make something easy yet impressively delicious, this recipe is for you.

Our blog post will take you step by step through the easy recipe of creating this delectable dish on the stove top.

Keep reading to discover how you can create your own Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice at home!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer policy for details. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Recipe

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk a bit about what makes this dish so special.

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is a unique and innovative twist on traditional sushi.

As a fusion of Japanese and California-style cuisine, it’s a representation of how food can evolve and take on new forms while still maintaining the essence of its origins.

The dish starts by preparing seasoned sushi rice, which is then formed into small patties and pan-seared until crispy on the outside.

The crispy rice cakes provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender and flavorful spicy tuna mixture on top.

The spicy tuna tartare is made by combining fresh, high-quality sushi-grade tuna with a variety of seasonings and spicy mayo. The tuna is chopped into fine pieces, mixed with ponzu and spicy mayo that adds a creamy, flavorful, and fiery kick. Depending on your spice preference, you can adjust the amount of heat to suit your taste buds.

The dish is further enhanced with a variety of garnishes that add texture and flavor. In this recipe, we use eel sauce to drizzle over the top, which adds a sweet and savory element, as well as jalapenos for a pop of color and a little extra heat.

Check out our Original Post

This recipe was created when we collabed with Tippsy Sake on Instagram.

Tippsy Sake is our favorite source of all things sake! They have a huge variety of sakes to choose from, complete with tasting cards and pairing suggestions.

We paired our Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice with Hakutsuru “Shoun” Junmai Daiginjo. Check out the original Instagram post here!

Make sure to follow us @itsforkandspoon on Instagram for more yummy collabs!

The Origin of Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is claimed to be invented by a renowned sushi chef in Los Angeles, Katsuya Uechi.

His restaurants, Katsuya, serve several locations in LA and have gained a reputation for serving innovative dishes that bring together Japanese and California style cuisine.

The popularity of Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice has spread far and wide since its creation, and it has become a beloved dish in sushi restaurants around the world.

Most notably is its appearance in Nobu restaurants, as the renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa also includes a version of Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice on his menu.

Many people have turned to TikTok and Instagram to create their own viral versions inspired by Nobu’s Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, and also sharing their own interpretations and creative twists.

Our recipe resembles the most like Katsuya’s Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, with a few touches to make it easy and accessible for home cooks.

Where to Buy High-Quality, Sushi-Grade Tuna

When it comes to making Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, the quality of the tuna is key.

You want to make sure you’re using sushi-grade tuna, which is safe for raw consumption and has a fresh flavor and texture.

Something to note is that “sushi-grade” does not have a clear FDA standard and can vary depending on the seller.

Therefore, it’s important to purchase tuna from a reputable fishmonger or Japanese market. This ensures that the tuna has been handled and stored properly to maintain its freshness.

In Los Angeles, we like to purchase our sushi-grade tuna from Yama Seafood in West LA. They have affordable prices and the most trusted selection of high-quality seafood, including sushi-grade tuna.

Aside from that, we also recommend Marukai, Mitsuwa, Whole Foods, Tokyo Central Market, and Nijiya Market as reliable sources for sushi-grade tuna.

Check around your local area to see if there are any specialized fish markets or Japanese grocery stores that carry sushi-grade tuna.

Cooking Tips for Perfect Crispy Rice

Preheat the pan. Before you begin cooking the crispy rice, make sure to preheat your pan to ensure even heat distribution and a nice golden crust on the rice. If the heat is too low, the rice may not become crispy enough, and if it’s too high, the rice can burn.

For extra crispness, pan-sear the rice on every side. This will give it a beautiful golden color and a crunchy texture throughout. You may also consider making a cube shape with the rice to maximize the crispy surface area and to make flipping easier.

Chop the tuna into very fine pieces. We’re not expecting perfectly uniform cubes or nearly paste-like consistency that professional sushi chefs might achieve, but aim for small, bite-sized pieces that will evenly distribute the flavor and texture throughout the dish. Do your best!

Serving Suggestions for Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Once you have prepared your delicious Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, it’s time to think about how to present and serve it with other dishes to create a complete meal.

Here are a few serving suggestions to make your Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice even more enjoyable:

• Make a meal with many small plates of various sushi rolls, sashimi, and Japanese-inspired side dishes.
• Serve before a large grilled dish like teriyaki chicken or beef skewers for a balanced meal
• Try it with other fusion dishes like Dragon Sushi Bake or Soy Marinated Quail Eggs

Pairing Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice with Drinks

To complement the spicy flavors of the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, consider pairing it with refreshing beers or sake that enhance the overall dining experience.

For beers, try a light and crisp Japanese lager, such as Sapporo or Asahi. These beers have a clean and refreshing taste that can help balance out the spiciness of the dish. There’s nothing like an ice cold beer to wash down the heat!

As for sake, consider going for a Junmai Daiginjo or a Junmai Ginjo. These types of sake have a smooth, clean, and sometimes complex flavor profile that will complement the dish without overpowering it.

The Hakutsuru “Shoun” Junmai Daiginjo has a deep pear flavor with notes of sweet rice and peach.

It’s made from famous spring water from Mount Rokko, near the 1000-year-old Nishinomiya Shrine. This high-quality source of water, along with advanced brewing methods, yields spectacular results.

It’s the perfect accompaniment to the spicy and crispy flavors of the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Preparing the rice too late. One common mistake to avoid when making Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is preparing the rice too late. The rice needs to be prepared and refrigerated for at least a few hours before searing on the pan to achieve that desired crispy texture. This resting time is essential for allowing the rice to firm up and hold its shape, making it easier to handle and crisp up in the pan.

Not using fresh tuna. Another mistake to avoid is not using fresh tuna. Using fresh tuna is crucial for the overall taste and quality of the dish. Using frozen or low-quality tuna can result in a less flavorful and less enjoyable Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice.

Ingredients

Crispy Rice

• 2 cups sushi rice cooked
• 2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
• oil or butter for the pan

Spicy Tuna

• 1 filet sushi-grade tuna
• 1½ tbsp kewpie mayo
• 1 tbsp ponzu
• ¼ tsp ichimi togarashi (Japanese chili powder)

Garnish

• eel sauce for drizzle
• jalapeno sliced

Recipe

Prepare and grill the crispy rice

1. Combine rice and seasoned rice vinegar. When mixing, be careful not to mash up the rice.
2. Place sushi rice in a flat, rectangular container. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
3. Preheat the pan to medium high heat.
4. Slice the chilled rice into small squares or rectangles.
5. Heat oil or butter on the pan and add the rice slices. Grill until both sides are brown. See Note 1.

Make spicy tuna

1. Chop the tuna into very small pieces. Mix it together with kewpie mayo, ponzu, and chili powder.

Assembly

1. Top the grilled crisp rice with a spoonful of spicy tuna. Garnish with a jalapeno slice and drizzle with eel sauce.

Final Thoughts

Made moments before serving, this dish combines the freshest tuna with the crisp texture of hot-off-the-pan rice. Try this appetizer dish to start your meal with a burst of flavor!

We hope you enjoy this recipe! Share your creations on Instagram and tag us @itsforkandspoon!

More Recipes You’ll Love

References & Further Reading

https://sushiuniversity.jp/basicknowledge/tuna

https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-prepare-raw-fish-at-home-sushi-sashimi-food-

safetyhttps://www.sushifaq.com/sushi-sashimi-info/sushi-grade-fish/

https://www.katsu-yagroup.com/

https://noburestaurants.com/

https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-tuna-tartare.htm