Introducing your new go-to appetizer: Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna Bites! These little delights gained fame at NOBU and blew up on TikTok, so I couldn’t resist giving them a try – now they’re a household favorite.
Let’s dive into crafting our own spicy tuna crispy rice at home, and trust me, it’s even better than takeout! Picture crispy rice cakes topped with creamy avocado, perfectly seasoned sashimi-grade tuna, spicy mayo, and sesame seeds. This dish took TikTok by storm, and I had to recreate it! While it might seem daunting, especially if you’re not a sushi master, making these bites is simpler than you think.
Nobu Copycat Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Bites
Ingredients
*Sushi Rice:*
- 2 cups sushi rice rinsed well
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
*Spicy Tuna:*
- 1 pound ahi tuna finely chopped
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise Kewpie mayo preferred
- 3 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1/4 cup green onions thinly sliced
*Other:*
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Soy sauce for dipping
- Avocado thinly sliced or mashed
- Spicy mayo to drizzle on top
- Toasted sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
**Make the Sushi Rice:**
- Rinse the sushi rice until the water runs clear. If time allows, soak it in water for 15 minutes before rinsing.
- In a pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add salt and rice, then simmer covered for 20 minutes. Let it sit covered for an additional 10 minutes after turning off the heat.
- In a bowl, combine rice vinegar, granulated sugar, and sesame oil. Microwave for 30 seconds or heat in a pot until the sugar dissolves. Pour over the rice and mix well. It should be sticky!
- Line an 8×8 pan with plastic wrap and pack the rice tightly. Chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours or in the freezer for 30 minutes until cold and firm.
- Once chilled, cut into squares or rectangles.
**Make the Spicy Tuna:**
- In a bowl, mix finely diced tuna with mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil, lime juice, and sliced green onions.
**Assembly:**
- Top fried rice squares with thinly sliced avocado.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of spicy tuna on top. Drizzle with spicy mayo and sprinkle sesame seeds.
- Dive in and enjoy your homemade Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna Bites!