Gunkan sushi with roe at home
Gunkan means warship in Japanese: an oval of rice, a band of nori and a cargo of roe on top. At restaurants it is among the priciest pieces, at home it is the sushi that needs no knife skills and no rolling mat.
Instructions
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Thaw the roe
Move the roe from the freezer to the fridge 3 to 4 hours ahead. It is served cold and handled with a teaspoon, so the beads stay whole and poppy.
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Cook and season the rice ⏱ 30 min
Rinse the rice in 4 to 5 changes of water, cook with 360 ml water for 12 minutes on low, then rest 10 minutes under the lid. Fold in the sweetened vinegar while warm and let it come to room temperature.
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Shape the little boats
With wet hands, shape walnut-sized ovals of rice. Wrap each oval with a nori band, shiny side out, and seal the end with a crushed grain of rice. The nori should rise a centimetre above the rice: that is where the roe sits.
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Fill with roe
Spoon a generous teaspoon of roe into each boat, up to the nori rim. This is the show-off moment: make them in several colours, orange, red, black and gold.
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Serve right away
Gunkan is eaten fresh, while the nori is still crisp. Serve with soy sauce, gari ginger and, if you like, a dab of wasabi under the roe.
Good to know
Any roe works: orange, red or black masago, or golden tobikko, which is larger and crunchier. A four-colour platter looks straight out of an omakase. Thawed roe keeps a few days in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
What is gunkan sushi?
Gunkan means warship in Japanese and is an oval of rice wrapped in a band of nori, topped with roe. It needs no sushi knife and no rolling technique.
Which roe can I use for gunkan?
Any SeriosFood roe works, Orange Masago, Red Masago, Black Masago or Tobikko Gold, which is larger and crunchier. A four-colour platter looks straight out of an omakase.
How do I thaw sushi roe properly?
Move it from the freezer to the fridge 3 to 4 hours ahead and handle it with a teaspoon. That keeps the beads whole and poppy, and the roe is served cold.
How long does thawed roe keep?
A few days in the fridge. The gunkan itself is eaten right after assembling, while the nori band is still crisp.
Ready to cook Seriosly?
Authentic taste isn't improvised, it's taken Seriosly.
Gunkan sushi with roe at home
Gunkan sushi with roe at home
Gunkan means warship in Japanese: an oval of rice, a band of nori and a cargo of roe on top. At restaurants it is among the priciest pieces, at home it is the sushi that needs no knife skills and no rolling mat.
Notes
Any roe works: orange, red or black masago, or golden tobikko, which is larger and crunchier. A four-colour platter looks straight out of an omakase. Thawed roe keeps a few days in the fridge.
