Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings with Homemade Unagi Sauce: A Twist on Classic Sushi
If you’re a sushi lover, you know the magic that a perfectly drizzled Unagi sauce can bring to a dish. Now, imagine combining that mouth-watering flavor with the satisfying crunch of crispy rice paper dumplings. Intrigued? Let’s dive into this culinary adventure!
The Popularity and Origin of Eel Sushi and Unagi Sauce
Eel sushi, particularly unagi (freshwater eel), is a super popular dish in Japanese cuisine. Unagi is often served grilled with a sweet and savory glaze known as Unagi sauce. This sauce, also called kabayaki sauce, has been a staple in Japanese cooking for centuries. The rich, umami-packed flavor of Unagi sauce complements the tender, fatty eel perfectly, making it a favorite sauce in Japanese dishes.
Interestingly, most Unagi sauce found in stores and restaurants contains no eel at all. Instead, it is typically a combination of sugar, sake, soy sauce, and mirin, simmered together until it reaches a thick, caramelized consistency. This versatile sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, adding a burst of flavor to anything it touches.
However, in some high-end restaurants and traditional authentic recipes, eel bones are boiled down to create this sauce. This method adds a deeper, more complex flavor profile, reflecting the sauce's origins and providing a unique culinary experience.
For a vegan twist, I used vegan oyster sauce to amp up the umami flavor instead of using eel bones. This alternative maintains the rich, savory taste of traditional Unagi sauce.
Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings
Now, let’s take the classic elements of eel sushi and give them a crispy twist. Crispy rice paper dumplings filled with sushi rice, nori, and your favorite fillings, all topped with our homemade Unagi sauce. It’s a fusion of textures and flavors that will elevate your sushi game to new heights.
Ingredients for Unagi Sauce
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup mirin
1/3 cup sake
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Roland Vegan Oyster Sauce (our secret ingredient for that extra umami kick)
Instructions for Unagi Sauce
Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and Roland Vegan Oyster Sauce.
Simmer: Bring to a simmer over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Thicken: Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes until it thickens and reduces to a rich, glaze-like consistency.
Cool: Remove from heat and let it cool. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
Ingredients for Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings
Rice paper sheets
Nori sheets
Sushi rice, cooked
Filling of your choice (avocado, cooked eel, sushi grade salmon, or cucumber, tofu, etc.)
Homemade Unagi sauce
Instructions for Crispy Rice Paper Dumplings
Prepare Rice Paper: Dip a rice paper sheet in warm water for a few seconds until it softens. Lay it flat on a plate.
Layer Ingredients: Place a nori sheet on top of the rice paper. Add a scoop of sushi rice and your chosen filling.
Drizzle Sauce: Generously drizzle the Unagi sauce over the fillings.
Roll: Roll the rice paper tightly around the filling, folding in the sides as you go.
Crisp: Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Place the rolled dumplings in the pan and sear until crispy and golden brown on all sides.
Serve: Remove from the pan and let cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with additional Unagi sauce if desired.
More about Roland:
I love Roland Foods because it’s been around for almost 90 years, sourcing incredible ingredients from all over the world. That means I can find pantry staples I know and love, alongside exciting new flavors to add some global flair to my cooking. Their Vegan Oyster Sauce and other condiments has become a secret weapon in my kitchen. They’re definitely a trusted partner in my culinary adventures, helping me explore new flavors and create show-stopping dishes at home.
Follow Roland on Instagram @rolandfoods and follow along with their recipes and other culinary tips. Visit www.rolandfoods.com to see which stores near you sell these amazing products or find Roland Foods’ Hot Green Chili Crunch on Amazon!