Description
This Ahi Belly with Cucumber Kimchee Salad showcases the freshest ingredients from Hawaii, with crispy fried ahi belly paired perfectly with a tangy cucumber kimchee salad.
Ingredients
Units
- 2 lb (900 g) ahi belly, skin off
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) shoyu
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
- 3 whole eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) flour
- 2 cups (480 ml) fry oil
- 1 box Panko
- 5 whole cucumbers
- 1 red onion
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) kimchee base
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) shoyu
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayo
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) wasabi paste, mixed with water
Instructions
- Marinate the ahi belly in a mixture of shoyu, sugar, and water for 30 minutes.
- While the ahi is marinating, prepare the cucumber kimchee salad by slicing the cucumbers and red onion. Toss them with the kimchee base and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- After marinating, add eggs and flour to the ahi belly to form a gummy paste.
- Place panko in a wide-mouth bowl. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium to medium-high heat.
- Coat each piece of ahi belly with panko and carefully place in the hot oil.
- Fry the ahi belly until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- For the sweet shoyu sauce, combine the remaining 1/4 cup (60 ml) shoyu and 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar in a saucepan and cook until reduced by half. Let cool; the sauce will thicken as it cools.
- For the wasabi aioli, mix the mayo with the wasabi paste that was mixed with water. Set aside.
- Place the cucumber kimchee salad on a plate and top with the fried ahi belly. Drizzle with sweet shoyu sauce and wasabi aioli, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh ahi belly sourced from a reliable fishmonger.
- The cucumber kimchee salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- If you prefer a spicier salad, add more kimchee base to taste.
- Serve immediately after frying for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 28 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 90 mg