Easy Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Recipe (Nobu Copycat)

spicy tuna crispy rice bite topped with jalapeno and sesame seeds

Easy Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Recipe (Nobu Copycat)

Easy and delicious spicy tuna crispy rice inspired by Nobu's famous dish. It's a lot easier to make than it looks and much more affordable making it home!

Prep Time15

Cook Time16

Chilling Time1

Total Time1 31

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: Japanese

Servings: servings

Ingredients

Crispy Rice

3 cups cooked sushi rice about 1½ cup dry
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp granulated sugar
Avocado oil or any neutral flavored oil, for frying

Spicy Tuna

8 oz sushi or sashimi grade tuna finely diced
2 tbsp mayonnaise I recommend Japanese mayo like Kewpie
1 tbsp sriracha more or less, to taste
2 tsp soy sauce or tamari sauce, for gluten free
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp green onions thinly sliced

Other Toppings

1 avocado thinly sliced
1-2 jalapeño peppers thinly sliced
Sesame seeds black and/or white

Instructions

If the rice isn't fresh, heat in the microwave until hot. Add rice vinegar and sugar and stir together.
Line an 8x8 dish with a plastic cling wrap and press the seasoned rice tightly to pack evenly into the pan.
Cover with the cling wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. To cut down on time, you can freeze for 30 minutes-1 hour.
While the rice is chilling, prepare the spicy tuna by combining all ingredients in a bowl and mixing together. Taste to adjust seasoning. Cover, and set aside in the fridge while you fry the rice.
Carefully remove the rice from the pan, then slice into mini rectangles with a sharp knife. I made 24 rectangles - 6 strips, each cut into 4 pieces.
Heat avocado oil in a thin layer in a pan over medium high heat. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the rice squares in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. Pan fry for about 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip gently and repeat.
Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel. Pan fry the rest of the rice squares.
Assemble: Add sliced avocado on top of the crispy rice. Top with about 2 teaspoons of spicy tuna. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, then add a jalapeño slice on top. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

- Make sure to buy "sushi grade" or "sashimi grade" tuna that's safe to eat raw. They are the freshest and highest quality fish that's treated with extra care. You can also use salmon if you prefer, but make sure it's sushi grade as well.

- Make sure to use sushi rice and pack the rice tightly into the pan so it holds together when you take it out and slice it.

Serving Tips

Serve these bites as an appetizer or full meal. You can always add additional spicy mayo dipping sauce or eat them as is.

Storage Tips

It's best enjoyed fresh. If you do have leftovers, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 2 days.

Nutrition