A few months ago, I bought fresh tuna for the first time. We never really saw it at the grocery store before and when we did, we were intrigued to try it out. Because it was a beautiful piece of fish, I wanted to cook it super simply: crusted in black and white sesame seeds, seared and served over rice with some sesame sauce and vegetables. It was delicious. And, for a meal that feels so special, it was crazy how simple and fast it was to pull together. Everything was ready to go by the time rice was done cooking. A perfect weeknight dinner.
The wasabi cream gives everything a kick and brightness that cuts through the rice and fish which are always pretty simple. It’s a super east combination of equal parts of wasabi and kewpie mayonnaise, a Japanese mayonnaise that is a bit sweeter than the mayonnaise I’m used to, but you can easily replace it with what you have on hand.
This tuna bowl is filling from the rice, fresh from the tuna, and has some nice texture with the crunchy edges of the browned enoki mushrooms. The sweet, sesame dressing that coats everything and the pop of spicy wasabi that hits you right in the nose every few bites makes this special. You can easily add different vegetables to this (I think edamame, shredded fresh carrot, daikon, and creamy avocado would all be great) and probably even top it with some baked tofu for a vegetarian version that still has the beautiful sauces and play on sesame flavours.
PrintSeared Sesame Tuna Rice Bowl
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This Seared Sesame Tuna Rice Bowl is a quick and flavorful meal featuring sesame-crusted tuna, crispy enoki mushrooms, and a kick of wasabi mayo, all served over sticky rice.
Ingredients
- 1 tuna steak
- 1/4 cup black and white sesame seeds
- Neutral oil (such as canola oil)
- 3/4 cup sticky rice
- 1 cup water
- 200g (7 ounces) enoki mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as canola oil)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon wasabi paste
- 1 tablespoon kewpie mayonnaise (or regular mayonnaise)
Instructions
- Rinse the sticky rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine the rice and 1 cup of water in a small pot, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes.
- While the rice is cooking, prepare the sesame dressing by mixing soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
- In another small bowl, mix the wasabi paste and kewpie mayonnaise to make the wasabi mayo.
- Coat the tuna steak evenly with black and white sesame seeds, pressing them gently to adhere.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of neutral oil. Sear the tuna for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until the sesame seeds are golden and the tuna is cooked to your desired doneness. Remove from the pan and let it rest for a minute before slicing.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and sauté the enoki mushrooms over medium heat until they are browned and crispy on the edges, about 5 minutes.
- To assemble the bowl, place the cooked rice at the bottom, top with sliced tuna, sautéed enoki mushrooms, and drizzle with sesame dressing and wasabi mayo. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace tuna with baked tofu. You can substitute kewpie mayonnaise with regular mayonnaise. Feel free to add more vegetables like edamame, shredded carrots, or avocado. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 20 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for Kewpie mayonnaise if I can’t find it?
You can replace Kewpie mayonnaise with regular mayonnaise, but consider adding a bit of sugar to mimic its sweetness.
How do I ensure the sesame seeds crust evenly on the tuna?
Press the black and white sesame seeds firmly onto the tuna before searing to ensure an even crust.
Can I use different types of vegetables in this rice bowl?
Yes, you can easily add vegetables like edamame, shredded fresh carrot, or creamy avocado for added flavor and texture.
