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Close up of crispy rice cake topped with avocado, spicy tuna, sesame seeds and a slice of Serrano pepper on a white platter.
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4.84 from 6 votes

Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna

Crispy rice cakes topped with a dollop of spicy ahi tuna make a delicious, show stopping bite sized appetizer or snack. Perfect for impressing your guests at a dinner party!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Rice Chilling Time2 hours
Course: Appetizer, Appetizers
Cuisine: American, asian, Japanese
Servings: 6
Calories: 259kcal
Author: Jessica

Equipment

Ingredients

Crispy Rice Squares

Spicy Tuna

  • ½ pound sushi-grade tuna ahi or yellowfin
  • 2 tablespoons Kewpie mayo
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

Garnish for serving

  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper

Instructions

Crispy Rice Squares

  • Gently mix together cooked sushi rice, rice vinegar and sesame oil with a rice paddle or spatula. Firmly press the seasoned rice into a plastic wrap lined 8x8 baking dish in an even layer. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Use the plastic wrap to lift the chilled rice out of the baking dish and onto a cutting board. Cut the rice slap into 16 even squares.
  • Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add neutral oil. When the oil is shimmering, carefully lower a few rice squares into the hot oil, using a fish spatula. Pan fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack to cool and drain excess oil. Work in batches and leave space between each square to prevent sticking.

Spicy Tuna

  • Chop tuna into small ⅛ inch cubes.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together kewpie mayo, sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil and rice vinegar. Add chopped tuna to mayo mixture and toss the thoroughly combine.

Assemble

  • Top each rice square with thinly sliced or mashed avocado. Top with about a tablespoon of spicy tuna mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds and a slice of Serrano pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Rice and spicy mayo can be made ahead of time. This dish should be enjoyed immediately for best taste and texture.
Use only sushi-grade fish.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 881IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg