Crispy Salmon Rice Cakes

Delight your taste buds with a delectable treat – Salmon Crispy Rice! This recipe takes sushi-grade salmon and transforms it into bite-sized delights that will rival your favorite Japanese restaurant’s offerings. Imagine crispy rice squares topped with spicy salmon, creating a perfect harmony of textures and flavors that will surely impress at any gathering or satisfy your sushi cravings at home.

The secret to the success of this dish lies in the rich and silky Kewpie mayonnaise, which blends perfectly with the salmon to create a signature spicy creamy sauce reminiscent of high-end sushi restaurants. A real crowd-pleaser, these homemade crispy rice bites were a hit at my dinner party and are now a staple at all my gatherings. Your guests won’t believe you made them from scratch!

Don’t just stop at the traditional salmon topping – get creative with variations like spicy tuna, avocado mash with a kick of sriracha, or even a California roll-inspired version with cooked crab. These crispy rice bites are versatile and can be part of a larger Japanese spread, paired perfectly with edamame, miso soup, and a refreshing cucumber salad. So, gather your ingredients, fry up some crispy rice, top it with flavorful salmon, and get ready to impress your guests with these delightful treats!

Quick Benefits

• Elevates sushi-grade fish into bite-sized delights
• Perfect balance of textures and flavors
• Can be prepared ahead of time for easy entertaining
• Versatile – can be customized with different toppings and variations

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Salmon Rice Cakes Recipe

• Impressive Presentation: These bite-sized delights look and taste like they are straight from a high-end Japanese restaurant, making them perfect for impressing guests or satisfying your sushi cravings at home.
• Perfect Balance of Textures and Flavors: The crispy rice base paired with the creamy, spicy salmon topping creates a delicious harmony of textures and flavors that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
• Versatile Customization: While the salmon topping is traditional, you can easily switch it up with variations like spicy tuna, avocado, or cooked crab to suit different preferences or dietary restrictions.
• Secret Ingredient: The Kewpie mayonnaise adds a rich egg flavor and silky texture to the salmon mixture, elevating it to that signature spicy creamy sauce found in upscale sushi restaurants.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: The crispy rice squares can be prepared in advance and stored for up to 8 hours, while the spicy salmon mixture can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, allowing you to plan ahead for gatherings or parties.
• Pairing Options: Serve these crispy rice bites as part of a Japanese-inspired spread with edamame, miso soup, and cucumber salad, and pair them with cold sake, Japanese beer, or a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc for a complete dining experience.
• Easy Substitutions: You can use cooked salmon or other proteins, regular mayonnaise with added rice vinegar and sugar, and various toppings like cucumber slices or crispy shallots to customize the recipe to your taste preferences.

Ingredients for Crispy Salmon Rice Cakes

Crispy Rice

• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups cooked sushi rice (short-grain rice)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Spicy Salmon

• 4 tablespoons Kewpie mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 pound sushi-grade salmon, chopped
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons sriracha

Serving

• Black and white sesame seeds, toasted
• Jalapeño, thinly sliced
• Sliced avocado

How to Make Crispy Salmon Rice Cakes

Step 1: Prepare Seasoned Rice

Combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved, then pour over cooked sushi rice and mix well.

Step 2: Chill Rice

Cover the bottom of a baking pan with plastic wrap, spread the rice evenly, press gently, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Prepare Spicy Salmon

Dice the sushi-grade salmon. Combine with Kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, scallion, and sesame oil in a bowl. Chill until needed.

Step 4: Fry Rice

After chilling, slice the rice into 16 rectangles. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, then fry the rice until golden and crispy on both sides. Transfer to paper towels to cool.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Place sliced avocado on top of each crispy rice piece, followed by a tablespoon of spicy salmon mixture and a slice of jalapeño. Sprinkle with black and white sesame seeds. Serve promptly.

Storage Tips

Once the salmon crispy rice squares are prepared, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 8 hours. If you need to store them longer, refrigerate in layers separated by parchment paper and reheat briefly in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispiness. The spicy salmon mixture can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, but no longer due to the raw fish content. It’s important not to freeze the assembled appetizers as this will compromise both the texture of the rice and the quality of the raw salmon.

For variations on the dish, consider trying different toppings such as spicy tuna, avocado mash with lime juice and sriracha, or cooked crab mixed with mayo and sriracha for a California roll-inspired version. Each variation maintains the crispy rice base while offering new and exciting flavor profiles to explore. Remember to serve the crispy rice bites as part of a Japanese-inspired spread alongside dishes like edamame, miso soup, and cucumber salad. Pair them with sake, Japanese beer, or Sauvignon Blanc for a complete dining experience. Garnish the serving platter with sliced scallions and lime wedges for a visually appealing presentation.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have sushi-grade salmon, you can use cooked salmon or fresh tuna as a substitute. Just make sure the fish is of high quality to maintain the delicious flavor of the dish.

If you don’t have Kewpie mayonnaise on hand, regular mayonnaise can be used as a substitute. To enhance the flavor, consider adding a touch of rice vinegar and sugar to the regular mayo to mimic the richness and silkiness of Kewpie mayo in the spicy salmon sauce.

To add variety to your crispy rice bites, experiment with different toppings such as avocado mashed with lime juice and sriracha, cooked crab mixed with mayo and sriracha, or crispy shallots, pickled ginger, or a drizzle of eel sauce. These variations will bring new flavor profiles to your dish while maintaining the crispy rice base.

Serving Suggestions

For a visually stunning presentation of the Salmon Crispy Rice, arrange the bite-sized delights on a black serving platter garnished with additional sliced scallions, lime wedges, and a sprinkle of black and white toasted sesame seeds. The contrasting colors and textures will not only delight your guests’ taste buds but also create a visually appealing display that will elevate any dinner party or gathering.

To add a touch of freshness and acidity to your Salmon Crispy Rice, serve them alongside a side of pickled ginger and cucumber slices. The crispness of the cucumber and the tanginess of the pickled ginger will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and spicy flavors of the salmon, creating a well-rounded sushi-inspired experience that will leave your guests craving for more.

FAQs for Crispy Salmon Rice Cakes

Can I use a different type of fish instead of salmon?

Yes, you can use cooked salmon or another protein like tuna. Just make sure it is fresh and of high quality for the best flavor.

Is it necessary to use Kewpie mayonnaise, or can I substitute it with regular mayo?

Regular mayonnaise can be used as a substitute for Kewpie mayonnaise. To achieve a similar flavor profile, consider adding a touch of rice vinegar and sugar to regular mayo.

Can I prepare the rice and salmon mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the rice and salmon mixture ahead of time. However, it is recommended to assemble and fry the rice just before serving to maintain the optimal texture of the dish.

What are some alternative toppings I can use for the crispy rice squares?

Feel free to experiment with alternative toppings such as cucumber slices, crispy shallots, pickled ginger, or a drizzle of eel sauce to create different flavor variations for your crispy rice squares.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Salmon Crispy Rice recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that will elevate your home cooking game and impress your guests with its restaurant-quality taste. The combination of crispy rice squares topped with flavorful spicy salmon and creamy Kewpie mayo sauce is a match made in culinary heaven.

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making sushi-grade dishes at home – with a little practice and the right ingredients, you can create gourmet appetizers that will have everyone coming back for more. Feel free to get creative with different toppings and variations to suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself to a special homemade meal, this Salmon Crispy Rice dish is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Crispy Salmon Rice Cakes

“Transform sushi-grade salmon into luxurious bite-sized delights with crispy rice squares topped with a creamy, spicy Kewpie mayo mixture – a homemade sushi favorite!”

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time15 Minutes

Cook Time30 Minutes

Total Time45 Minutes

CuisineJapanese

Skill LevelEasy

Servings16 Servings

Ingredients

Crispy Rice

• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups cooked sushi rice (short-grain rice)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Spicy Salmon

• 4 tablespoons Kewpie mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 pound sushi-grade salmon, chopped
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons sriracha

Serving

• Black and white sesame seeds, toasted
• Jalapeño, thinly sliced
• Sliced avocado

Instructions

1. Prepare Seasoned Rice: Combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved, then pour over cooked sushi rice and mix well.
2. Chill Rice: Cover the bottom of a baking pan with plastic wrap, spread the rice evenly, press gently, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Prepare Spicy Salmon: Dice the sushi-grade salmon. Combine with Kewpie mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, scallion, and sesame oil in a bowl. Chill until needed.
4. Fry Rice: After chilling, slice the rice into 16 rectangles. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, then fry the rice until golden and crispy on both sides. Transfer to paper towels to cool.
5. Assemble and Serve: Place sliced avocado on top of each crispy rice piece, followed by a tablespoon of spicy salmon mixture and a slice of jalapeño. Sprinkle with black and white sesame seeds. Serve promptly.