Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls

Can you even begin to believe it’s Friday? It doesn’t feel like Friday.

Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls / Bev Cooks

I don’t know what day it feels like, but certainly not Friday. Maybe Wednesday, since the world went back to work two days ago? Actually, I know a lot of people who went back yesterday, so it might feel like a Tuesday. But a lot of you still have kiddies at home, so it might not feel like a Tuesday or Wednesday at all to you. Maybe it feels like a Thursday since trash day was pushed back a day this week? Whatever the case, it does not feel like a Friday.

My crystal clear message in all of this is, it’s time to throw down because I made spicy tuna hand rolls!

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Otherwise known in my head as, spawcy tewna hayand rawls.

But I don’t really talk like that in real life. I feel like I should clarify that right now. I don’t really have that kind of accent. Unless I’m joking around. Which unfortunately for everyone in my life is 99.999999999% of the time.

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So, the hand rolls!

Remember my young, hip 23 year old brother-in-law I was telling you about? Well, for Christmas he gave me this rad to the bone “Simply Sushi” kit with all these cool sushi-making utensils and what not, and I squealed at 45,927 decibels and broke all the windows in the house.

It even came with a DVD, which was insanely helpful because I’m a total visual gal. Give me verbal instructions to bone a duck and I’ll bone a picnic table. And that totally came out wrong.

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Aaron and I made spicy tuna hand rolls once about 87 years ago, and they were wonk.a.lonk. I won’t lie, dudes. It’s pretty intimidating the first time. Since you’re eating raw fish you have to maaaaake suuuuuure you buy the freeeeeeshest sushi graaaaade tuna or else you’ll grow a 7-foot checkered scaly tail by morn’.

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But you can do it! And here’s how:

Okay there’s the sushi rice, which to prepare will require some TLC, but I hear that if you have a glass of sauv blanc on hand, it helps. Then you place it in the nori paper (the rice, not the wine), and make a little well with your middle finger, like a weirdo. Why I didn’t use my index finger I have no idea. Okay smear a little wasabi down in it. There ya go.

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Now scoop some spicy tuna down in der. Then lightly place some thinly sliced cucumber, maybe some fresh ginger slices, and some daikon radishes on top. Whatever you want really. Just not a steak. That would be weird.

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Then you’ll fold her over like this, and wrap it up into a little roll! By the way, I’m trying to decide if I should become a watch person this year. What do you think? I used to wear a watch in junior high, but it fell off all the time. My wrists are weird. I’m also trying to decide if I should become a banana clip person, but I won’t put that burden on you.

sushi12  sushi13

Seriously. Once these were complete I giggled at 86,235 decibels and broke all the windows in our house.

Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls / Bev Cooks

I want more.

Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls:

What it took for 6 hand rolls:

for the rice:

* 1 cup sushi rice
* 1 1/2 Tbs. rice vinegar
* 1 Tbs. sugar
* 1 tsp salt

for the tezu:

* 1 tsp vinegar
* 5 Tbs. water

for the rest:

* 1/2 pound sushi grade fresh tuna, cut into a small dice
* 1 Tbs. mayonnaise
* 1 Tbs. sriracha sauce
* 1/2 cucumber, julienned
* 1/2 small daikon radish, julienned
* 1 Tbs. julienned fresh ginger root
* 3 nori paper sheets, cut in half (making six 4×7 sheets)
* black sesame seeds (for garnish)
* wasabi sauce (which is wasabi powder from a jar and water mixed together. you’ll see on the jar.)

Place rice in a large bowl. Add about 2 cups of water and gently massage the rice for about a minute, releasing a TON of starch. Drain the water and then add more. Massage, drain, add, massage, drain, add, you know. Do this about 5 times until the water is nearly clear.

Add the rice to a rice cooker. Cover with 1 cup of water. Turn her on and fugget it.

In the meantime, add the rice vinegar, sugar and salt to a small saucepan. Heat it over medium until the granules have dissolved, a couple of minutes. Set aside.

When the rice is done, transfer it to a large shallow bowl or dish. Hold a flat, wide wooden spoon over the rice and pour the vinegar mixture over the spoon, letting it gently fall over the rice. Then lightly toss the rice around the bowl, letting the vinegar mixture coat the rice. Then with the spoon, scoot the rice to one side of the bowl. Little by little, sort of “cut” the rice with the spoon and fan it across the bowl. Keep going until each grain of rice is nice and separated in the bowl. Does this make sense? If not, watch this video. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside.

Okay, the rice is good and ready.

Now, in a small bowl, whisk the mayo and sriracha sauce together until combined. Toss it with the diced tuna.

Prepare the tezu mixture, which is seriously just combining the vinegar and water. Done. This is going to keep your hands from sticking to the rice.

Place a nori sheet in your left hand, shiny side down. Dip your right hand in the tezu mixture. Grab a fist-size mound of sushi rice and compact it in your hand. See how sticky it is?! I know. But that tezu sure helps.

Okay place it on the left side of the nori sheet. Take a finger and make a slight indention in the center of the rice. Then dip your finger in the wasabi sauce and wipe it down the little well you made in the rice.

Then you’re gonna spoon some of that awesome spicy tuna into the well. Then top it with sliced cucumber, ginger and daikon radishes.

Now, take the bottom left-hand corner of the nori and fold it over the filling until it’s lined up evenly with the top edge of the nori paper. Then just wrap wrap wrap until you have a hand roll!

Garnish those muthas with black sesame seeds and just stare at them for like, ever. Look whachew DEED.

Dip them in a little soy sauce/wasabi mixture, and hellloooooo, euphoria.

Ignore how the ends look. I’m no pro, yo. Oh that rhymed.
Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls / Bev Cooks

Okay I’m definitely going for the banana clip.

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54 Responses to Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls

  1. JodieMo January 4, 2013 at 8:04 am #
    Love love love it!! Sushi holds a special place in my heart, especially spicy tuna (sans funny accent). And I hope you get those windows replaced soon. And I say no watch, but definitely a banana clip.
  2. DessertForTwo January 4, 2013 at 8:25 am #
    Yes to a watch, no to the banana clip. Must I make all of your life decisions for you?
  3. Krissy @ Make it Naked January 4, 2013 at 8:49 am #
    Whoa. Totally impressed. This is all professional-like. I love that you watched a DVD on how to make sushi. Looks amazing!
  4. Kristin January 4, 2013 at 8:54 am #
    I want these in my mouth. Like, right now.
  5. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough January 4, 2013 at 9:03 am #
    I, too, am a firm believer that a glass of sauv blanc makes everything easier/taste better. Also, these look like so much YUM!
  6. Katie January 4, 2013 at 9:04 am #
    I woke up this morning and could not - for the life of me - figure out what day it was. I had to wake up my husband to ask him. Also...SUPER DUPER impressed with your tuna rolls. If it wasn't Friday, I might have the ambition and drive to try it for myself. Maybe next Tuesday.
  7. Kevin (Closet Cooking) January 4, 2013 at 9:27 am #
    Those look so good!
  8. Sharla January 4, 2013 at 9:29 am #
    I also tried making sushi once about 87 years ago. It was not very pretty, but tasted great!! Yours are beautiful!! I would love to be a watch person, but my wrist is like "between sizes" if that's even possible. My husband just got me a Garmin for Christmas and it's just like a belt...one link is too tight and the other is too loose. And you can't do the stretchy watch because that pinches!
  9. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl January 4, 2013 at 9:35 am #
    I'll bring the sapporo.
  10. Amy January 4, 2013 at 9:55 am #
    My Facebook status on Wednesday was all about me being confused as to what day of the week it was. Garbage is all screwed up. Mail is all screwed up. Paul is home, no wait...he's not. Oh, yes he is! Also? These rolls? Oh my freaking yes.
    • Steve June 29, 2013 at 9:16 pm #
      Well is Paul home or not? I'll be right over to make these hand rolls with you! We are goi g to have so much fun! Yummy
  11. Sommer@ASpicyPerspective January 4, 2013 at 10:15 am #
    Did someone say lunch?? I need these...
  12. Cassie | Bake Your Day January 4, 2013 at 10:59 am #
    I am drooling all over myself.
    • Mark June 29, 2013 at 9:12 pm #
      I'm drooling all over you! Oh and the hand rolls look good too!
  13. Julie January 4, 2013 at 11:04 am #
    They look gorgeous! Now I've got to get my hands on some sushi grade tuna...
  14. Kristin January 4, 2013 at 11:49 am #
    I love spicy tuna rolls but I never know where to buy sushi grade tuna. Where do you suggest finding it? These look yummy!
    • Bev Weidner January 4, 2013 at 11:59 am #
      Hi, Kristin! I got mine at Whole Foods. And call them ahead of time to make sure they have some in stock, aaaand when it was delivered. It should say either "sashimi grade" or "sushi grade." Good luck! I hope you can find some!
  15. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe January 4, 2013 at 12:53 pm #
    These look absolute BOMB. PS. Raw fish scares me.
    • Tasha Zee January 4, 2013 at 1:05 pm #
      Totally agree about the raw fish ... scary ...but so tempting!
  16. Michelle January 4, 2013 at 1:02 pm #
    Those look perfect! Do I hear a new profession calling? Not sure if you could wear a watch though if you become a sushi chef, so maybe that's out.
  17. Tasha Zee January 4, 2013 at 1:04 pm #
    Lunchies ... yum!!
  18. Averie @ Averie Cooks January 4, 2013 at 1:09 pm #
    They're like a sushi restaurant so PROFESSIONAL! I bow down!
  19. a farmer in the dell January 4, 2013 at 1:54 pm #
    We just started making our own sushi too! Surprisingly easy and SO much cheaper! These look fabulous!
  20. Julie @ Table for Two January 4, 2013 at 2:14 pm #
    uhh you totally know the way to my heart. i'm obsessed with sushi and look at those HUNKS of tuna!! so fresh!!! this is amazing, bev. i need to attempt sushi - you might've just given me the push!
  21. claire @ the realistic nutritionist January 4, 2013 at 2:32 pm #
    OH YES!!!!
  22. purelymichelle January 4, 2013 at 2:44 pm #
    beautiful!! I need to learn how to make sushi, thank you!
  23. Katie @ Blonde Ambition January 4, 2013 at 3:09 pm #
    These look lovely! Totally less intimidating than actual sushi with those weird bamboo rolling things...also, mayo + sriracha = party in my mouth.
  24. Kari@Loaves n Dishes January 4, 2013 at 3:28 pm #
    These are so pretty! I am all for the banana clip, I'm sooo hoping for big hair to come back!
  25. Danielle Christine January 4, 2013 at 6:42 pm #
    You know what's better than this fabulous recipe? Nothing? Except for your hysterical Commentary ... I plan to try these soon ! So glad I found your page !
  26. Deborah January 4, 2013 at 11:54 pm #
    Can I come live at your house???
  27. megan @ whatmegansmaking January 5, 2013 at 1:12 pm #
    sushi seriously intimidates me. eating it and making it. :) But you make it look do-able!
  28. Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife January 5, 2013 at 1:51 pm #
    So simple and delicious, I have to try this soon.
  29. Ross | TheFaceBaby January 5, 2013 at 3:59 pm #
    AAAAhahaha! Bone a picnic table. That's just terrific. But I've got a couple'a hands and Bubba's got plenty of rolls ... together we should be able to tackle these, right?
  30. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious January 6, 2013 at 2:22 am #
    Amazing! Now I never have to go to a sushi restaurant again! :)
  31. Ruthy @ omeletta January 6, 2013 at 1:16 pm #
    Gorgeous! Just the thing to help get me through gloomy ol' January.
  32. Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen January 7, 2013 at 10:30 am #
    My hubby would freak if I made these for him! Watch, yes. Banana clip, no! :)
  33. Heather Christo January 7, 2013 at 6:02 pm #
    I am making these for appetizers for my hubbys bday on Wednesday- These are phenomenal Bev.
  34. Barbara January 9, 2013 at 11:55 am #
    These look so delicious, Bev! And I love the way you describe them. Makes me want to go make some - RIGHT NOW!
  35. Tara January 9, 2013 at 3:05 pm #
    I am dying for one of these right now!!
  36. Mae January 10, 2013 at 11:12 am #
    Oh my gracious.... you crack me up!! Thank you for this recipe! I'm literally drooling on my keypad just looking at it! ;)
  37. Mara January 20, 2013 at 8:23 pm #
    They look awesome and I'm having to fight back the impulse to lick my monitor. I can never seem to get hand rolls right. Regular rolls I can do just fine, but it's something about the cone-shape that totally messes with my motor skills. Perhaps one more go wouldn't hurt...
  38. Sandi March 15, 2013 at 2:09 am #
    Way cool! Like a pro! Now I'm thinking that maybe i can do it too...yeah, will give it a try! :)
  39. Yelena July 29, 2013 at 5:51 pm #
    Really cool! Thank you for showing everything step-by-step. It's really helpful. Your photos are amazing! Great job! :)
  40. Ichi Tokyo March 25, 2019 at 2:46 am #
    Looks amazing! I love it!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Friday Favorites | Iowa Girl Eats - January 11, 2013 [...] bite: Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls. If you don’t feel like rolling your own sushi, these hand rolls are a much easier [...]
  2. Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls | Good Stuff Only - May 29, 2013 [...] For more details please visit this link were you will find instructions : bevcooks.com [...]
  3. FOOD | Pearltrees - August 2, 2013 […] Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls […]
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  6. #18: Japan | Around the World in 195 Sundays - September 8, 2014 […] Tuna Handroll Recipe: https://bevcooks.com/2013/01/spicy-tuna-hand-rolls/  Sticky Rice on the Stove Top Recipe: […]
  7. Ceviche Recipe "Carpaccio Style" - A Spicy Perspective - March 10, 2015 […] this Hawaiian Ahi Poke, Bev’s Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls, or check out my In The Raw Pinterest […]
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  9. Mayonnaise Substitute: 5 Options You Didn’t Know You Had - July 26, 2021 […] might also want to try this Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls recipe by Bev Cooks and this delicious Avocado Lettuce Tomato Sandwich from Simply […]
  10. Japon - A la table du monde | Pearltrees - October 16, 2022 […] Tsukune (Japon) Wonton au boeuf haché. Yakiniku Donburi : Bol de riz au boeuf et légumes. Yakitori de poulet. Cheesecake à la japonaise. Chi Chi Dango. Daigaku Imo : patate douce frite et sucrée à la japonaise. Dorayaki : sandwich de pancakes japonais à la pâte de haricots sucrés. Gâteau au sésame noir. Glace au sésame noir. Glace au thé matcha. Jiggly cake. Mitarashi Kushi Dango. Mizu Yokan (gelée de haricots rouges) Mushipan. Purin (Flan japonais) Zenzaï : soupe sucrée de haricots rouges et mochi grillé, comme au Japon. Temaki au thon cru spicy. […]

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