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rainbow sushi roll recipe

Rainbow Roll Sushi with Spicy Mayo and Eel Sauce

Posted by Dee
This rainbow roll sushi recipe is a delightful combination of flavors, from crisp cucumber and creamy, avocado slices to luscious tuna and salmon.
5 from 31 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 8 rolls
Difficulty Medium

Ingredients
  

For the Spicy Mayo

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp sriracha
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil

For the Eel Sauce

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup mirin

For the Sushi Rice

  • 2 cups short-grain sushi rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt

For the Rainbow Roll

  • 4 sheets of nori, each sheet cut lengthwise in two pieces
  • 2 cups prepared sushi rice
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 6 oz imitation crab, Kani, shredded or sliced)
  • black and white sesame seeds, for topping
  • 4 ounces sashimi-grade tuna, thinly sliced
  • 4 ounces sashimi-grade salmon, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, thinly sliced
  • spicy mayo and eel sauce, for drizzling
  • diced green onions, optional garnish

Instructions
 

Make the Spicy Mayo

  • In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce and sesame oil until they are well combined.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more sriracha for a spicier mayo.

Make the Eel Sauce

  • In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin and sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and reduced by about half.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the eel sauce cool to room temperature.
  • Once cooled, transfer it to a clean glass jar or squeeze bottle.

Make the Sushi Rice

  • Rinse the rice: Place the sushi rice in a fine-mesh sieve or colander and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This step helps to remove excess starch from the rice.
  • Cook the rice: In a medium-sized saucepan, add the rinsed rice, salt and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Let the rice simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
  • Prepare the vinegar mixture: While the rice is cooking, combine the rice vinegar and granulated sugar in a small bowl. Mix until sugar has dissolved. Set aside.
  • Season the rice: Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Gradually pour the vinegar mixture over the rice while gently folding and mixing it with a wooden spatula or rice paddle. Be careful not to smash the grains of rice. Continue to mix until the rice is well-coated and cooled to room temperature.
  • Cover and let it rest: Once the rice is seasoned, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Make the Rainbow Roll

  • Cover bamboo mat with plastic wrap. Lay mat on a clean flat surface and place a sheet of nori on top.
  • Wet your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking, then grab a handful of sushi rice and gently press it onto the nori.
  • Sprinkle a thin layer of black and white sesame seeds over the rice, then carefully flip the nori and rice over so that the nori is facing up.
  • Arrange a few slices of cucumber along the bottom third of the nori sheet, followed by the crab sticks.
  • Starting from the bottom, roll the sushi tightly using the bamboo mat. Apply gentle pressure to ensure the roll holds its shape.
  • Once the roll is sealed, use the bamboo mat to gently tighten the roll, making it more compact and secure.
  • After initial tightening, place alternating slices of salmon, tuna and avocado on top of the roll, covering the entire outer surface.
  • Use the bamboo mat to roll the sushi once again to make it more compact.
  • Repeat for the remaining nori sheets and ingredients until you've used up all the fillings.
  • Use a sharp knife to slice each roll into bite-sized pieces. Wipe the knife with a damp cloth between each slice to ensure clean cuts.
  • Drizzle a generous amount of spicy mayo and eel sauce.
  • Serve the with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi on the side.
Keyword rainbow sushi roll
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