Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (2024)

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Crispy soy rice cakes are topped with homemade spicy tuna and diced chives for a delicious, Japanese dish, perfect for a sushi dinner!

Welcome to the second recipe from what I now lovingly refer to as “Ahi Week”!

After purchasing a large amount of Ahi Tuna at the Whole Foods Del Mar grand opening, I first headed home and whipped up these delicious Mango Avocado Ahi Poke Fillo Baskets.

Next on the list to make was my sushi restaurant favorite and yours, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes.

And just how do I know they’re your favorite? Because I worked at a sushi restaurant in college and trust me, they are everyone’s favorite!

This post contains the making of three different recipes:

  1. Spicy tuna
  2. Sushi rice
  3. Crispy rice cakes

At the end, they will all be combined into these delicious little sushi favorites!

Spicy Tuna Ingredients

  • 1 lb sushi-grade ahi tuna
  • 2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp hot chili oil
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise orVegenaiseSpicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (5)
  • 1 tbsp chives (chopped)

Spicy Tuna Instructions

Begin by gently dicing the ahi tuna, then add it to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow the spicy flavors to soak into the ahi.

Meanwhile, prepare the sushi rice, then rice cakes.

Sushi Rice Ingredients

(Recipe adapted fromFood Network)

  • 2 cups sushi or short grain rice
  • 2 cups water, plus extra for rinsing rice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (for the rice cakes)
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil (for cooking rice cakes)

Begin by rinsing the sushi rice well, then combining the rice and 2 cups of water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat, keep the rice covered away from the heat for 10 minutes.

Next, combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.

Place the cooked rice in a glass bowl and add the vinegar mixture to the rice, combining well.

Allow the rice to cool, then form the rice into small rectangles using your hands, a cookie cutter or this sweet little contraption, also known as a sushi rice mold.

This nifty little tool was part of the “Sushi Party Kit” I picked up at the Japanese Market for $3.50. Have I mentioned how much I love that place?

Once the rice is formed into tight rectangular shapes, cook them lightly on each side over medium heat with 1 tbsp of sesame oil.

Remove from the skillet and dip the rice cakes into the soy sauce.

Next, cook the rice cakes for an additional 2-3 minutes in 1 tbsp sesame oil on each side or until crisp and golden brown.

Remove from the skillet and top with the spicy tuna, then garnish with additional chopped chives.

These scrumptious little bites are just as good as the ones you get in the restaurant and probably even better because of all the tender, love and care that you put into making them at home! 😉

Try these with other sushi restaurant favorites such as shish*to peppers and miso japanese eggplant.

Favorite Whitney Bond Recipes

  • Bacon Meatloaf
  • Thai Yellow Curry
  • Chili Seasoning Recipe
  • Buffalo Chicken Pasta
  • Shish*to Pepper Recipe
  • Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe
  • Pumpkin Cresent Rolls
  • Candy Cake Recipe

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (19)

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Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes

Crispy soy rice cakes are topped with homemade spicy tuna and diced chives for a delicious, Japanese dish, perfect for a sushi dinner!

Servings: 24 spicy tuna rice cakes

Prep Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Author: Whitney Bond

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

Spicy Tuna

  • 1 lb sushi-grade ahi tuna
  • 2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp hot chili oil
  • 1/4 cup vegenaise, or mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp chives, chopped

Sushi Rice

  • 2 cups sushi or short grain rice
  • 2 cups water, plus extra for rinsing rice
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar, or white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt

Rice Cakes

Instructions

Spicy Tuna

  • Gently dice the ahi, then adding the rest of the ingredients to the tuna and mixing well.

  • Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.

Sushi Rice

  • Rinse the rice well, then combine the rice and 2 cups of water in a medium pot.

  • Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and cover.

  • Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat, keep the rice covered away from the heat for 10 minutes.

  • Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.

  • Place the cooked rice in a glass bowl and add the vinegar mixture to the rice, combining well.

Rice Cakes

  • Allow the rice to cool, then tightly form into small rectangles.

  • Cook them lightly on each side in a skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp of sesame oil.

  • Remove from the skillet and dip the rice cakes into the soy sauce.

  • Cook the rice cakes for an additional 2-3 minutes in 1 tbsp sesame oil on each side or until crisp and golden brown.

  • Remove from the skillet and top with the spicy tuna, then garnish with additional chopped chives.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 123kcal (6%)Carbohydrates 14g (5%)Protein 5g (10%)Fat 4g (6%)Cholesterol 7mg (2%)Sodium 612mg (26%)Potassium 71mg (2%)Sugar 1g (1%)Vitamin A 420mg (8%)Vitamin C 0.9mg (1%)Calcium 5mg (1%)Iron 0.6mg (3%)

Did you make this recipe?Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!

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Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (2024)

FAQs

What makes rice cakes taste better? ›

How to Make It. Top rice cakes with low-fat ricotta, goat or cottage cheese, fresh sliced peaches and a drizzle of balsamic OR honey.

Are rice cakes crunchy? ›

Crispy rice has a revered place in many cultures. These rice cakes, which work well as a side dish to a piece of grilled meat or fish, offer the delicious crunch of Korean nurunji or Middle eastern hkaka, with some of the herbed cheesy goodness of Italian arancini.

How many calories are in a rice cake? ›

One rice cake (9 grams) contains about 35 calories but mostly carbs. So, is eating rice cake fat? Most people eat rice cakes instead of bread or crackers, both bread and crackers can contain more calories.

How to cook store bought rice cakes? ›

If using refrigerated rice cake sticks, boil according to instructions on package, about 5 to 10 minutes, until soft. Heat cast iron skillet over high heat. Add vegetable oil and pan-fry rice cake sticks for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until lightly brown.

Why do you soak rice cakes before cooking? ›

“Otherwise the rice cakes are dried very hard and you have to cook them a long time to make them smooth,” she said. In addition, soaking removes any excess starch on the surface of the cakes, which Maangchi likes to do so that it doesn't thicken her dish too much.

Are rice cakes healthy for weight loss? ›

The low-calorie count of rice cakes may be a bonus, but they are not the best weight-loss food. Rice cakes digest quickly since they are devoid of a significant amount of fiber. The spike in blood sugar and insulin levels after ingestion of rice may cause weight gain.

What are the cons of rice cakes? ›

Downsides of rice cakes

They're mostly carbs and have very little protein and fiber to slow the effect of these carbs on your blood sugar.

Are rice cakes junk food? ›

Rice cakes are generally a healthy snack if you opt for whole-grain options, especially when paired with avocado, fruit, or nut butter. Cynthia Sass is a nutritionist and registered dietitian with master's degrees in both nutrition science and public health.

How do you keep rice cakes crispy? ›

Keep them crisp by putting them in an airtight container and storing them in your pantry. Alternatively, just reseal the bag with a chip clip or a twist tie instead. Try to keep your rice cakes in a cool, dry spot, like your pantry.

What is the healthiest rice cake? ›

Rice cakes are healthier when they're made of brown rice. Rice grain is a good source of carbohydrates and proteins. Whole brown rice has more nutrients like protein, lipids, minerals, and vitamins than refined white rice, because they're stripped away during the refining process.

How many rice cakes can I eat a day? ›

Rice cakes mostly contain carbohydrates, most often from processed white rice that is considered mostly a source of “empty calories.” While one or two cakes won't contribute a very high amount of carbs to your diet, eating more than this amount can, especially if you choose a sweetened rice cake product that's made ...

Why do bodybuilders eat rice cakes? ›

High Carbohydrate Content: Rice cakes are primarily composed of rice, which is a complex carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy during endurance activities. They provide a steady release of energy and help sustain performance over a longer duration.

Should rice cakes be refrigerated? ›

No matter how you like to eat your rice cakes, they will be at their best when kept fresh. But what's the best way to do that? The most convenient way to store Korean rice cakes in the short term is by putting them in the refrigerator.

How do you eat rice cakes as a snack? ›

Try pairing rice cakes with:
  1. A nut butter, cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit slices.
  2. Caprese style (tomato slices, basil, and mozzarella)
  3. White bean spread with veggie slices.
  4. Tuna or chicken salad.
  5. Avocado toast style (mashed avocado, fried egg, EBTB)
Jan 31, 2024

How do you know when rice cakes are fully cooked? ›

Stir gently with a wooden spoon when it starts to boil. Let it simmer and keep stirring until the rice cake turns soft and the tteokbokki sauce thickens and looks shiny, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes. If the rice cake is not soft enough, add more water and continue stirring until it softens.

What's the best thing to put on rice cakes? ›

Try pairing rice cakes with:
  • A nut butter, cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit slices.
  • Caprese style (tomato slices, basil, and mozzarella)
  • White bean spread with veggie slices.
  • Tuna or chicken salad.
  • Avocado toast style (mashed avocado, fried egg, EBTB)
Jan 31, 2024

What's the point of eating rice cakes? ›

High Carbohydrate Content: Rice cakes are primarily composed of rice, which is a complex carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy during endurance activities. They provide a steady release of energy and help sustain performance over a longer duration.

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