Simple Tuna Onigirazu (Sushi Sandwich)

When I learned about onigirazu (sushi sandwich), I quickly looked for ingredients I could scramble together to make it. This is how I came about my version of a tuna onigirazu recipe at home! Made with tuna (or sardine fillets), it quickly became an easy lunch for me.

In addition to fish, this onigirazu consists of a simple slaw made with a few ingredients you can throw on top or under the fish. As much as I wanted to make the pretty layers of tuna onigirazu, I tend to be lazy when it comes to lunch meals. So I focused more on how quickly I could make something while enjoying the benefits of all the vegetables it can feature.

What is Onigirazu?

Onigirazu is another type of seaweed-wrapped food. Similar to musubi or sushi rolls, it is the style of food with rice wrapped with a nori sheet is made to be eaten with your hands. Instead of a round shape like a sushi roll, onigirazu is flattened and then cut in half to reveal its layered contents. 

Ingredients For Tuna Onigirazu

Onigirazu comes in the form of many variations, so take these ingredients list as a loose guideline. It was fun looking through my pantry and refrigerator to see what I could add to the rice for this sushi sandwich. I encourage you to do the same to be more efficient with your ingredients.

• Cooked White Rice: You will want to cook the rice ahead of time before making onigirazu. You will also add some vinegar and sugar to turn it into sushi rice.
• Canned Tuna (or Sardines): Canned tuna in water or sardine filets olive oil work great for this onigirazu recipe.
• Red Cabbage: Shred the red cabbage into small pieces so they can lay flat on the fish.
• Carrots: Julienne the carrots, but don't make them too thin, so you get crunchy bites.
• Green Onions: Adds a welcome flavor and color to the coleslaw.
• Kewpie Mayo: Kewpie or Japanese-style mayo tastes different from other mayonnaise. It's tangier and has a heavier, richer taste because it only uses egg yolks. It's a key ingredient in this recipe!
• Lemon Juice: Brightens up the salad within the onigirazu.
• Nori Sheets: We need to wrap the onigirazu with nori sheets, or else it won't be called onigirazu!
• Salt & Pepper: Add as much or as little as you'd like.

How to Make Tuna Onigirazu

Once you prep your ingredients, you will need to set up your workstation. In a manner of steps, you can build your tuna onigirazu effortlessly. Make the rice ahead of time and let it cool for about thirty minutes.

Prep Your Rice

1. Make the rice by washing it and then cooking it on the stovetop.
2. Once cooked, add vinegar and sugar to the rice.
3. Fluff the rice with the mixture.

Make The Tuna Filling

1. Drain the canned tuna and add to a bowl.
2. Add some of the kewpie mayo and salt.
3. Mix everything together and set the bowl aside.
4. Add some additional ingredients to your liking. In the images, I added chopped onions and Everything Else seasoning.

Make the Coleslaw

1. Slice the carrots, shred the cabbage, and chop the green onions.
2. Add the vegetables to a bowl.
3. Squeeze some of the lemon juice and add kewpie mayo.
4. Season the slaw with salt and pepper.
5. Thoroughly mix everything until well combined.

Build Your Onigirazu

1. Line a surface, such as a cutting board, with some cling wrap.
2. Place a piece of the nori sheet in the center.
3. Add some rice, flattening it in a circle in the middle.
4. Add tuna on top of the rice.
5. Add some of the coleslaw.
6. Then finally, add rice to make a sandwich.
7. Wrap the edges of the seaweed around the rice.
8. Cover it with the cling wrap tightly and slice the onigirazu in half before eating.

How to Serve

I like to eat onigirazu immediately when the rice is still a bit warm, and the nori is still a bit crispy. You can pre-make onigirazu for a picnic or as a snack when you are on the go. Do not slice them in half when you make them ahead so the rice doesn't dry out.