This Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice recipe is a shameless copycat of a signature appetiser at the trendy Nobu restaurant.
Bite sizecrispy riceis served with tuna in a creamy spicy dressing.
So I copied it.And added a canned tuna option too.
Or toppings as finger food!
Nobu copycat: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Theres no feel-good story behind todays recipe.
But you pay through the nose for it $30 for a very small serving.
Here it is at Melbourne Nobu top quality phone snaps!
Nobu Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Wont lie Ive had hits and misses in various cities.
But overall, its very reliable.
Firm favourite with celebrities.
Price aside, I dont want to go to Nobu every time I want to have it.
So I decided to copy it.
It seemed like a simple enough recipe and it is!
The crispy rice cakes. Seeseparate recipe here.
Crispy rice topped with raw finely chopped tuna mixed with a creamy spicy dressing.
I also do not have a dipping sauce because Ive incorporated seasonings in the tuna toppings.
Think canned tuna fillings in sushi rolls.
The Nobu sashimi raw tuna topping
Sashimi tuna or salmon OR canned!
Its like the canned tuna filling you get in sushi rolls its really tasty!
Sashimi grade tuna To make the raw tuna version, you will need to get sashimi grade tuna.
Spicy creamy canned tuna topping
This is tuna that is fresh enough, handled and stored in a manner suitable for eating raw.
It is more expensive than tuna intended for cooking.
Common sashimi tuna types
Bluefin tuna the frontrunner, most premium jot down.
Platter with a mix of raw and canned spicy tuna on crispy rice cakes.
For flavour, colour and texture.
Yellowfin and bigeye tuna (ahi ahi) The more common punch in that is more economical.
It is softer, not as red.
The canned tuna version. It’s like tuna sushi roll filling – really tasty!
Canned tuna Tuna in oil is best.
If using tuna in spring water, the mixture is a little drier so perhaps add extra mayo.
Spicy creamy dressing & assembling
Heres what you should probably make the creamy dressing and for assembling.
Kewpie mayonnaiseis a Japanese mayonnaise that has a smoother flavour than Western ones.
Substitute with whole egg mayonnaise.
Substitute with other spicy sauce of choice, but adjust quantity based on spiciness.
Non spicy option Ketchup!
Green onion For nice green specks and a bit of freshness.
Sesame oil & seeds For toasty sesame flavour!
Lemon For the canned tuna version, I found a hint of extra tang was desirable.
If avocado is not in season or pricey, Id skip it.
But it makes it extra tasty to flavour the rice with sushi rice seasoning just rice vinegar and sugar.
See the separatecrispy rice recipefor commentary on the ingredients.
Its really easy cook rice, press in pan, chill to set, cut, pan fry.
So the steps below are for the topping and assembling.
Nobu spicy tuna topping
Tip: Raw fish is hard to finely dice because it is so soft.
To make it (much!)
easier, partially freeze the fish first to make it firmer.
Just 30 minutes in the freezer.
Partially freezethe raw tuna (or salmon) in the freezer for 30 minutes.
This will make it much easier to cut.
Cutinto small 0.5cm / 1/5 dice.
De-chillthe fish for 20 minutes or so, so its not ice-cold.
Sushi tastes best when at room temperature which is around 18C/65F.
Small diced tuna will de-chill fairly quickly.
Mix Add the mayonnaise, sriracha, green onion, sesame oil, sesame seeds and salt.
Mix gently to combine.
Prevent screen from sleeping
Then refrigerate until required.
But remember to aim for the room temperature for serving!
Warm crispy rice cakes with ice-cold tuna isnt ideal.
Creamy canned tuna topping
Mashthe drained canned tuna with a fork until its really fine.
The finer the better.
Addeverything else and mix!
I like to assemble for an easy finger food option.
or deep fried (what a pain!).
Pan frying 2 sides of a flatter pieces is so much less effort!
Cookthe rice cakes after youve mixed the toppings.
See directions in thecrispy rice cakesrecipe.
Avocado Place on a serving platter and top with avocado slices.
You could also pipe onavocado sauce a good option for speedy assembling if making big batches.
Shape Use 2 teaspoons to shape a mound of the topping into a football shape so it sticks together.
Assemble Place tuna on avocado.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds, top with jalapeno.
Repeat with remaining rice cakes.
I see you making this for friends who come round for Saturday night drinks.
Impressing the pants off your friends at book club.
For your mums birthday lunch.
About 80% less?At least!
!
