Spicy tuna crispy rice is the perfect bite sized appetizer. Crispy rice sushi pieces topped with tangy, spicy ahi cubes, and drizzled with umami packed unagi sauce make this a recipe you have to try.
Where’s all my poke and sushi fans at? If you love poke or sushi then you’re going to love this recipe.
A spicy twist on traditional poke atop a bed of sushi rice that has been crisped to perfection. Little bite sized pieces of umami packed goodness. Perfect for your next get together.
This spicy tuna crispy rice recipe is simple to make, but your guests will never know.
You’ll need to gather a few things.
Ingredients for spicy tuna crispy rice
For the crispy rice
- Medium grain white rice. I like Hinode brand, but you can use any brand you’d like. You can also use traditional sushi rice.
- Water
- Rice vinegar, unseasoned. If you prefer seasoned you can omit the sugar and salt.
- Granulated sugar. This adds a little sweetness to the sushi rice.
- Salt. This balances out the sweetness of the sugar and tang of the vinegar.
- Cooking oil of choice. You can use vegetable, canola, avocado, or any other oil you prefer.
For the spicy ahi
- Kewpie mayonnaise. This is a Japanese style mayonnaise that adds a bit of umami to the dish.
- Sriracha. You can also opt to use another chili sauce of your choice here.
- Shoyu. This is a Japanese style soy sauce. You can find it in the Asian aisle in your local grocery store.
- Sesame oil. A little goes a long way. This is a powerful flavor, packed ingredient.
- Sashimi grade ahi. Be sure to source your ahi from a reputable source.
- Green onion. This adds a nice pop of color and mild flavor.
Garnish
- Unagi sauce. A thick sweet and salty sauce that also can be found in the Asian aisle at your local grocery store.
- Green onion
What to serve spicy ahi crispy rice with?
These function well as a finger food appetizer. You can also serve it with other sushi rolls or alongside edamame or a sushi bake.
How to store?
Crispy rice is best eaten fresh. If you happen to have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These will keep for a day or two. The rice may dry out if left longer. I like to place a damp paper towel in the container to help retain some moisture.
How to reheat?
Poke should be kept cold, but you can reheat just the crispy rice in the microwave and re-assemble the spicy ahi crispy rice. Again these are best eaten fresh.
Check out more great appetizers
- Spicy tuna sushi
- Smoked meat
- Air fryer crispy pork belly
- Hawaiian style poke
- Instant Pot boiled peanuts
- Pork hash
- Shoyu ahi poke
How to make spicy tuna crispy rice?
- For the crispy rice: Rinse rice with cool running water until water runs clear. Add rice and water to a rice pot. Set to cook.
- When the rice is done, transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- To a small bowl add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix until well combined. Place in the microwave and heat for 30-45 seconds or until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the hot rice. Using a rice spoon, gently fold the rice until well coated. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Next shape the rice into rectangles using slightly wet hands or a sushi mold.
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add a thin layer of the cooking oil of your choice.
- Once the oil begins to sizzle, add rice cakes and fry for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from oil and place on a napkin to drain excess oil.
- For the spicy ahi: To a small bowl add mayonnaise, sriracha, shoyu, and sesame oil. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Next slice the ahi into small cubes about ½ inch thick.
- Place ahi cubes in a bowl and add the spicy mayo mixture along with the green onion. Gently toss to coat.
- Top rice cakes with a small spoonful of spicy ahi. Drizzle with unagi sauce and ENJOY!
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
For the crispy rice
- 2 rice cooker cups rice
- 2 rice cooker cups water
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- Cooking oil of choice
For the spicy tuna
- ¼ cup kewpie mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon shoyu
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ pound sashimi grade ahi
- 2 teaspoons thinly sliced green onion
Instructions
- For the crispy rice: Rinse rice with cool running water until water runs clear. Add rice and water to a rice pot. Set to cook.
- When the rice is done, transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- To a small bowl add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix until well combined. Place in the microwave and heat for 30-45 seconds or until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the hot rice. Using a rice spoon, gently fold the rice until well coated. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Next shape the rice into rectangles using slightly wet hands or a sushi mold.
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add a thin layer of the cooking oil of your choice.
- Once the oil begins to sizzle, add rice cakes and fry for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from oil and place on a napkin to drain excess oil.
- For the spicy ahi: To a small bowl add mayonnaise, sriracha, shoyu, and sesame oil. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Next slice the ahi into small cubes about ½ inch thick.
- Place ahi cubes in a bowl and add the spicy mayo mixture along with the green onion. Gently toss to coat.
- Top rice cakes with a small spoonful of spicy ahi. Drizzle with unagi sauce and ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
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Hi Relle,
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice. Under ingredients you listed rice vinegar, unseasoned. If you prefer seasoned you can omit the sugar and salt. Please clarify. Thanks!
Hi Tammy. Seasoned rice vinegar already has sugar and salt in it. So, if you choose to use seasoned rice vinegar do not add sugar and salt when making the sushi rice. Thanks.
This looks really yummy. My husband and I love poke. Going to make this recipe right away!!! Thank you.
I love your recipes and sharing your life stories.
Yay. Hope you enjoy!
I love this so much!
This is really flavorful and tasted really delicious! Fam really loves it! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe, will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Aloha Allyssa, Thank you for sharing. I’m so happy to hear. Have a great day!
My daughter would be over the moon about this recipe. I am a novice when it comes to poke, but she goes out for it often. Now, I can make it for her, here. Thanks so much!
What a great idea. I will give this recipe a try. Can’t wait.
I always enjoy trying new things and I would definitely try crispy rice again. Very good.