I tend to get obsessed with one kind of food and I stay with that for like a couple of weeks. So, yeah, when I first got my spiralizer, who was eating zucchini noodles for two weeks? Me. This week, I am obsessed with Asian food. For Valentine’s Day, we had some friends over and made sushi and DIY rolls. It was so fun. It had been a while since I last made rolls so I was eager to make some more. Fast.
After I visit to my local Japanese market, I learned how to make a cheater’s version of the spicy sauce that is used when making spicy tuna rolls. Now, your favorite Japanese sushi restaurant certainly does not make it like this, but we home cooks certainly can. And you know what? It’s pretty damn good.
Are you ready for the secret spicy sauce? It’s simply Japanese mayo + Sriracha sauce! Now, you can also add a little sesame oil too for more flavor and even a touch of wasabi, but these are your two main ingredients! And get the Japanese mayo from your local Asian market. Japanese mayo is lighter in flavor and I was told that using the mayo you would purchase from your local grocery store is not the same. Sorry, there was no label . . just ask for the Japanese mayonnaise.
So, I was thinking about options for people who can’t get sushi grade fish easily. . and I was thinking about my vegetarian friends .. and since I love tofu: The Spicy Tofu Roll was born.
I started with some of my favorite raw veggies (carrots, red bell peppers and zucchini, or you can use whatever you like!) and some pan fried tofu.
Start by spreading your sushi rice on a piece of roasted seaweed and then topping with all of your veggies and the tofu. (I used a combination of white rice + brown rice).
Top with the spicy mayo and roll! (More detailed instructions below in the recipe card).
The Academy Awards are on this Sunday . who’s watching? I personally love the red carpet and seeing what all the celebs are wearing. I just watched Cake with Jennifer Aniston. . OK, I totally thought she was nominated for Best Actress?!!! WTH? Really? Who else saw the movie? I know it was a little slow but I loved it. And sadly, American Sniper was the only Best Picture nominee I have watched so far .. but I loved it and if Bradley Cooper doesn’t win Best Actor, I’m throwing something at the TV. Something big.
Are you hosting an Academy Awards party? If so, do something different and fun and make some rolls!! I hope you enjoy!
- 3 cups cooked seasoned white medium grain rice (or more if using more rice in your rolls)
- 1 oz. (half package) Tamanoi Sushinoko powder
- ¼ cup Japanese mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon Sriracha sauce + more if desired
- 6 sheets dried roasted seaweed (gim)
- 2 large carrots, peeled and julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin lengthwise
- 1 zucchini, julienned (do not peel)
- half package tofu, pan fried and sliced thin into strips
- sushi ginger
- wasabi
- low sodium soy sauce
- A bamboo rolling mat
- Disposable gloves
- A small bowl of water
- A wood cutting board or other clean surface
- A sharp knife
- Place cooked white rice into a large bowl and let cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes. When cooled, sprinkle on the Tamanoi Sushinoko (Sushi Rice Mix Powder) and mix. The package will say to use more but I only like to use half of the suggested amount of vinegar powder. Taste and adjust the amount if desired.
- Mix together the Japanese mayonnaise and sriracha sauce in a small bowl. Taste and add more sriracha sauce if desired.
- Take one sheet of the dried gim and place onto your bamboo mat (make sure the bamboo sticks are horizontal). Spread about a ½ cup of cooked, seasoned rice onto ⅔ of the gim, spreading it evenly with your fingers. You can leave one inch uncovered (with no rice at all) at the top. This will help you to seal your roll at the end, or you can cover the entire seaweed sheet (gim) if desired.
- Lay in all of the raw veggies, top with the pan fried tofu leaving about an inch of exposed rice down at the bottom. Top with some spicy mayo. Using the bamboo mat on the end closest to you, roll from the bottom up and over the ingredients (like you’re rolling a sleeping bag), pressing down gently but firmly to make the fillings stay in. As you continue to roll, pull the mat up and straighten it so that it doesn’t get caught in the roll. Continue until you have reached the edge of the gim.
- Using your fingers, dab just a little bit of water along the top seam of the dried seaweed and roll to seal it closed. Roll and gently squeeze one last time with the bamboo mat, set aside and continue with the other seaweed sheets.
- When all of the rolls are finished, using a sharp knife, dip the knife into the water and lift the knife up so the water runs down the blade. This will help you to get a nice, clean cut. Slice each roll into about 8-10 pieces. Serve with sushi ginger, wasabi and soy sauce and enjoy!
For photos on how to roll, click here.
Related links:
- DIY Sushi at Home by Snixy Kitchen
- Salmon Sashimi Bowl with Avocado by Omnivore’s Cookbook
And more sushi recipes from me!
- Spicy Tuna Roll
- Korean Mixed Rice with Sashimi
- Salmon Skin Roll
- Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
- My kids’ favorite: Tuna Veggie Rolls
These look so good! We all love sushi in my house, even my 3 year old (she only eats the vegetarian versions). I feel like rolls are intimidating, but after your tutorial, it seems so much more manageable! Thanks 🙂
This homemade sushi looks awesome Alice! And I’ve been making a similar sauce, but with regular mayo, need to get the Japanese one. Love the pictures on how to roll. Pinned 🙂
This looks better than at a restaurant, Alice! I totally need to make my own sushi. And that spicy mayo is the perfect touch.
Yep, I pretty much want to douse everything in that awesome spicy sauce! I go on crazy food kicks too 🙂 Recently it has been Thai spring rolls (and your Insta photo had me craving even more), which I guess is a healthier obsession than my onion ring one that happened a few weeks ago…
I am the exact same way. I get focused on something and can’t think about anything else. I love these rolls Alice. You really nailed this recipe!
Alice – I haven’t watched ANY of the nominated movies – I have them all on my too watch list, but, I am about a year or 2 behind from catching up with it 😉
Btw, who would have thought that such a simple combination could be such a wonderful sauce! These rolls sound wonderful – can I come over and feast on them? 😉
This looks perfect, Alice! I’ve never attempted to make my own sushi before, so I’m loving this! And that spicy flavor sounds wonderful!
These rolls are beautiful, Alice! I want them for my lunch right now with that spicy mayo! Love your tutorial and that you used a combo of white & brown rice! These would be so fun to serve at an Oscar’s party. I haven’t watched any of the nominated films yet either but Team Bradley all the way!:)
i came here thinking these are spring rolls with tofu..but seeing these sushi rolls, im more excited.
Omg, I love mayo and sriracha. They are fabulous looking, your sushi rolls.
A little away from the topic. I’ve wanted to tell you that you look so much like Christina from Grey’s anatomy. I don’t know if you’ve heard that, but just felt like telling. hugs.
Love the idea of tofu in these spicy rolls – now why is it that no sushi restaurant has figured out that this would be a great option!
My husband and I love making sushi and have been saying we need to make some soon. We’ll have to add these to our usual rolls!
I’m a sushi fiend! And as a vegan, that means TONS of avo rolls and veggie rolls. I’m never a fan of cucumber, because it’s just so tasteless to me! Thanks for the nod to your veggie friends with this great recipe! I will definitely be giving it a try sometime soon. Pinning! 🙂
I totally go in spurts too! Mostly totally unhealthy spurts of chocolate and sugar, but what can you do? Lol. This sushi looks awesome!
These are gorgeous Alice! They look just like what you can get at the Japanese sushi bar. Love your tips for the spicy sauce too. Just FYI I have heard that the Kewpie brand of Japanese mayo is incredible. It has a cult following! I can’t get it at my regular grocery store but they have it at the Asian market.
You’re so thoughtful to make a vegetarian dish for your friends. I do eat sushi, but tend to stick with the vegetarian options. I’m opening my eyes though to the world of fish. Tofu is a great substitute for meat and I’m happy to see how you seamlessly integrated it into the sushi. Sriracha on everything!
These are absolutely beautiful, Alice! You’re a true pro.
Oh my. I’m drooling. I have some Kewpie mayo in the fridge annnd I think I know what I’m going to be doing with it. Ahhh these look amazing!
I am SO out of the loop I don’t even know who’s nominated, have never even heard of Cake, and haven’t seen American Sniper! AAND I don’t have a spiralizer…is there any help for me? I love the looks of these tofu rolls, I bet the texture of tofu is just perfect in sushi!
I will also likely throw something…at the television, out the window…if B.Coop doesn’t win. And then we can commiserate on twitter! BUT HE’D BETTER WIN.
Come to think of it, sushi-making would be super fun to accompany Oscar-watching on Sunday….hmmm I’m on it. And I LOVE these!
I love making my own sushi. The first time I made it, I was surprised at just how easy it was to make.
Laura and I used to make sushi at home quite often. It’s been quite a while since we’ve done that. Thanks for the reminder! This spicy roll looks perfect!!
Okay, uh just WOW. Could these rolls get any more gorgeous?! I love all the fresh veggie goodness you packed into these beauties and your step-by-step photos are awesome! My weekend needs these without a doubt. 😉
These spicy little veggie-packed rolls look delicious! I bet they are fun to make, too!
You know I am all about that secret spicy sauce! And your pictures have me craving this right now!! What a fun idea for the Oscars! We’re not having a party but I know Hubby will love it!!
Oh these rolls look so delicious!!
Thank you, Alicia!
I’m vacation this week, so I’m only now just getting caught up on all your lovely Asian recipes this week Alice, and oh my goodness. So much deliciousness!! I adore these rolls, and that sauce, I know it’s sacrilegious but I eat it on ALL of my sushi, nigiri, sashimi and rolls.. I can’t help myself.. I think the mayo is called Kewpie Mayo? I could be wrong but you are absolutely right, it is the most amazing mayo I’ve ever tried..
Ugh, giiirl this looks SO GOOD! I haven’t made sushi since I was in college and my flat mate brought a sushi making kit home from her trip to Japan. This is seriously calling my name in a big way!!
I am ALL about the Japanese Mayo + Sriracha sauce!! My fav. I’m totally the same Alice, I get on these food obsessions and eat the same thing every day for a month and then never ever again. haha.
Gosh, this looks good, Alice! I love spicy tuna rolls! In fact, every time I have sushi, I have to order spicy tuna hand roll. But I leave spicy tuna rolls for restaurants, and love making veggie version at home. Next time I’ll definitely add tofu! Great idea!
I need a spiralizer so I can obsess about zucchini noodles too! And you just made sushi rolls look so easy, I no longer have any reason to be intimidated with them. These look perfectly delicious, and I’d love a big side of that stirs ha sauce!
Hey Alice! First time reader here and SO stoked I’ve come across your blog- I’ve seen you pop up in some of my favourite blogs and after a quick stalk of your archives- I’m already a fan!
I love making homemade sushi and love the cheat’s version of the spicy sauce! this week I’m all Asian obsessed too but that is moreso because it’s CNY and my dad’s side is Chinese.
Cheers for the recipe!
I’ve always wanted to make homemade sushi but I just never have. You’ve made it look so easy and delicious though! I think I need to make this very soon! Yummmm! I LOVE sushi!
We love sushi and just made some a couple of weeks ago. When I can’t find sushi-grade fish, we just grill shrimp to use. I love your idea of tofu though! And I appreciate the tip about the Japanese mayo. I’m going to have to check that out!
I don’t like raw fish, so I’ve always felt left out of the sushi craze, but these are right up my alley — and that spicy sauce? Just hand me that spoon!
Ok, that is the FUNNEST way to spend Valentine’s Day ever! Come over next year please? 🙂 Seriously though, I get into obsessive streaks also and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that! Love this spicy tofu roll! Pinned!
I’ll probably be watching the Academy Awards in my pjs. But I sure wish I had a plate of your spicy tofu rolls parked next to me! They look terrific!!
OH I love these rolls! We’ve been too afraid to attempt sushi at home because of the raw fish factor, but there’s not fear with tofu. And that spicy sauce – YUM. These look great. Pinning 🙂
I’m SO addicted to spicy rolls! When I was pregnant and couldn’t eat the raw fish, I made endless spicy crunchy veggie rolls. It wasn’t the same, but it helped…
Love the idea to use tofu! I wish I’d thought of that years ago whilst being knocked up. But hey, they’ll work now! I can’t wait to try!
I’m a huge tofu fan, so these spicy tofu rolls sound AMAZING to me. I’ve never thought to put tofu in my sushi before, but now I think I need to have another sushi night just to try this! Amazing! The roll is so beautiful too!
yep, I could def demolish a plate of these #yum
Yes! I love, love, love this post! First off, I’m a big tofu fan and… I just got a spiralizer, but I haven’t used it yet! I’m totally using your post to make my first spiralizer dish!