Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice are little bites of heaven and are crazy easy to make! Picture golden crispy rice squares, topped with a creamy spicy tuna mixture that are sure to impress everyone!
Trust me when I say this Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice will become your new obsession. They are little bundles of goodness and literally a flavor bomb in every bite. Paired with my dipping sauce to make them even better! Once you have one, it will be pretty hard to stop 🙂
Crispy squares of sushi rice are fried to golden perfection, topped with a sashimi tuna mixture which is creamy and spicy with the signature jalapeño slice on top for extra kick….ahhhh YUM! This is an easy recipe to make and great to serve as an appetizer at a dinner or party, that will impress everyone! They look and taste restaurant quality for a fraction of the price.
This spicy tuna crispy rice is a Nobu copycat, a popular fancy Japanese restaurant chain which is located all over the world. I’ve been lucky enough to visit a few Nobu restaurants and I’ve eaten this dish every single time 🙂. This well known dish has been trending all over Tiktok and social media so lets now make it at home!
If you’re not a fan of raw tuna, you can also make it with a spicy salmon mixture, but personally I prefer it as the original spicy tuna on crispy rice.
More popular Japanese inspired recipes you must try is my kani salad and shrimp tempura roll and tofu katsu.
Table of Contents
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to make: This restaurant quality dish may look fancy, but its actually quite easy to make
- Affordable: Make this Nobu copycat signature dish at home for a fraction of the price!
- Flavor bomb: They might look little, but these spicy tuna crispy rice squares are packed with flavor, crunch and a spicy kick
- Versatile: As you can easily swap out the tuna sashimi with salmon or even canned tuna. You can even experiment with plant based alternatives to keep it vegan too. Just use the crispy rice cakes as the base and the toppings are endless
- No waste recipe: As you can use your leftover sushi rice to make the perfect little crispy rice squares
What is Crispy Rice?
Crispy rice transforms plain sushi rice into golden crunchy rice squares, perfect to top with your preferred mixture. Once the rice has been cooked, it’s compacted, cooled, sliced then fried to crispy perception.
What is Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice?
Spicy tuna crispy rice is a mouth watering appetizer made popular through the famous Japanese restaurant chain Nobu. Golden crispy rice squares are topped with a spicy and creamy tuna sushi mixture...YUM!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Japanese sushi rice is the preferred rice to use for it's unique sticky texture. It’s a short grain rice which is cooked, seasoned, pressed, then sliced and fried to become golden and crispy rice squares
- Sushi grade ahi tuna can be found at your local fish market. It's important to always make sure to ask for sashimi grade or sushi-grade tuna fish. This means it's safe to eat whilst it’s still raw
- Japanese kewpie mayonnaise (kewpie mayo), is the base of the spicy mayo mixture and well known for its delicious creamy consistency. You can also use regular mayonaise if you can't get your hands on it
- Sriracha and soy sauce are also added to the spicy tuna mixture to add spice and saltiness with umami flavor. You can use chili oil or red pepper flakes for heat, and tamari for a gluten-free option
- Sesame oil is added for its nuttiness and subtle taste and smell with rice vinegar added for a little acidity, lime juice can also work. You only use small amounts of both as a little goes a long way
- The signature jalapeño on top is added for an extra kick of spice!
- Garnish each bite with some furikake which is a type of Asian rice seasoning. You can substitute with sesame seeds
- Avocado slices are also commonly used as a topping. You can add a slice or smash it to have a creamy avocado texture
How to make Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Make the popular Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice at home in no time at all. There are two key steps, first how to make crispy rice then the tuna mixture.
Make Crispy Rice
Sushi Rice is typically made in a rice cooker, however as I don't own one, this is my method on how to make sushi rice using a pot over the stove.
- Start by washing the rice. Add 1 cup of rice to a pot with 1.5 cups of water and place over medium to high heat. Once water is boiling, reduce the heat to low - medium and place the lid for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep the lid on and allow it to steam for 5 minutes
- Transfer cooked rice to a bowl using a wooden paddle or spatula. Add the rice seasoning ingredients to a small ramekin and pour over the rice. Mix in gently using a wooden paddle or spatula
- Line a tray or container with cling wrap and transfer the rice to the tray. Flatten the rice with the back of the spoon to level the top. You want the rice to be nice and compact. Then place in the fridge to set for at least 3 hours
- Once set, cut the rice with a sharp knife into even rectangles or squares
- Pan fry the rice squares in your preferred oil for a few minutes on each side until they’re golden brown
- Allow resting on a cooling rack once removed from the pan to keep crispy
Prepare Spicy Tuna and Assemble
- Slice the tuna into small cubes using a sharp knife and add to a bowl with kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, and sesame oil
- Mix well to combine so it's nice and creamy (as pictured)
- To assemble, start by adding a spoon of the spicy tuna on top of the crispy rice
- Then follow by a sprinkle of furikake and top with a slice of jalapeño. To serve, dip into my gyoza sauce or soy sauce and enjoy your little bites of heaven!
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to only use sushi grade or sashimi grade fresh tuna. This means it's safe to eat whilst it’s still raw
- When seasoning the sushi rice, its best to use a wooden paddle or spatula when mixing the sushi rice so the grains don’t break
- Ensure to press the rice firmly in the tray so its nice and compact before chilling so it sticks together nicely
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the rice squares. They can easily stick together so ensure there is space in between
- Once cooked, place the crispy rice squares on a cooling rack to keep them crispy while working in batches
Storage, Reheating and Freezing
- Best eaten fresh, however if you have any leftovers, store the crispy rice squares and spicy tuna mixture separately
- The spicy tuna mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days from the day the tuna was purchased
- Crispy rice squares alone can stay in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Simply reheat in a pan with a drizzle of oil or in the oven or air fryer until crispy
- You can freeze rice cakes before they have been fried for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then fry when ready to eat
FAQs
Yes I recommend it as sushi rice is a sticky short grain rice, it’s the perfect consistency to make crispy rice
Once cooked and seasoned, make sure to tightly press and compact the rice into a container and refrigerate. The rice will then stick together and can be sliced and fried to make perfect crispy rice
No not at all! Some other options are to use salmon and make spicy salmon on crispy rice or try a vegan or vegetarian option by using tofu or veggies. Canned tuna can also be used too
Yes! Make sure to generously spray the bottom of the air fryer with oil spray, then gently add the rice squares with enough space in between them. Spray all sides generously with oil spray and air fry at 200°C/400°F for about 5-10 minutes until golden and crispy
More Asian Recipes
- Rice Paper Dumplings
- Kani Salad
- Peanut Noodles
- Thai Yellow Curry
- Asian Chopped Salad
- Thai Red Curry Soup
- Kani Sushi (Spicy Crab Roll)
- Salmon Bites
More Appetizers
- Miso Eggplant
- Shrimp Tempura
- No Knead Focaccia
- Bread Dipping Oil
- Bruschetta
- Honey Glazed Halloumi
- Hummus Recipe
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Video
Ingredients
Crispy Rice
- 1 cup Japanese sushi rice
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- Pinch of sea salt
- 4 tablespoons neutral oil such as canola oil
Spicy Tuna Mixture
- 7 oz / 200 g fresh sushi grade ahi tuna
- 2 tablespoons Japanese kewpie mayonaise (preferred but you can also use regular mayonnaise)
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (can be reduced or increased depending how spicy you like it)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Small drizzle of sesame oil
Garnish
- Furikake, jalapeño slices, avocado slices or smashed avocado
- Dipping sauce - recipe below
Instructions
Crispy Rice
- Rinse sushi rice well under water about 5 times until it’s almost clear and not murkyIf using a rice cooker skip to step 3. If cooking rice using a pot over the stove, continue to step 2
- Add rice to a pot with the water and place on the stove over medium - high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low- medium heat, place the lid on and simmer for 15 minutesRemove from the heat, however leave the lid on to allow it to steam for 5 minutes
- To a small ramekin add sugar, rice vinegar and a pinch of salt, stir or whisk to combineTransfer the cooked sushi rice to a large bowl and pour over the rice vinegar mixture. Using a wooden paddle or spatula, gently mix into the rice so its all coated and seasoned well
- Line a tray or container with plastic wrap and transfer the rice into the tray.Flatten and press the rice with the back of the spoon to level the top to an even layer. The rice should be nice and compactPlace in the fridge to set for 3 hours. You can also place in the freezer for approximately 1 hour to set
- Once set, cut the rice with a sharp knife into even rectangles or squares
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and pan fry the rice squares or a few minutes on each side until they’re golden brownAllow to rest on a cooling rack once removed from the pan to keep crispy
Spicy Tuna Mixture
- Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna into small cubes and add to a large bowl
- Add the kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce and sesame oil, then mix together with a spoon. Taste for seasoning and spice level
- To assemble, add a spoon of the spicy tuna mixture to a square of crispy rice, sprinkle some furikake and top with a slice of jalapeñoDip into my dipping sauce or soy sauce and enjoy your Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice bites of heaven!
Win says
These are so good! The crispy on the outside, soft on the inside rice is game changing.We used a bigger tray to set the rice so we needed to cut down frying time to retain some of the fluffiness inside. I'd say thicker is better.
They would make such an impressive dish if you're having people over and it's easy to prep ahead. I easily found Furikake at Coles and got fresh sashimi grade tuna from the local fish shop.
Perfect amount of spice for me but I'd cut down the sriracha if you're sensitive. It's so fresh and delicious, perfect for summer. I already can't wait to make it again.
Ayeh says
Your dish looked amazing dear! So happy to hear you loved it so much too lovely 🙂