Erewhon Crispy Rice Sushi Sandwich Recipe
This Viral Erewhon Copy-Cat Sushi Sandwich is a fun take on Japanese onigirazu. Filled with spicy tuna, salmon, cucumber, avocado, crab, and nori, this crispy rice sushi sandwich is packed with flavors and fun to eat!
In this blog post, I’ll show you everything you need to know about this viral sushi sandwich and how to make it. Erewhon sells this sandwich for $21.99! You can save some money by making it using this recipe at home!
You’ve probably have seen the viral Erewhon sushi sandwich on social media lately. If you’ve never heard of Erewhon Market, it is an upscale grocery store based in Los Angeles. Erewhon is known for selling health-conscious ingredients, high-end products, and trendy food items like Hailey Bieber $20 smoothie, and $19 Japanese strawberry. This Erewhon spicy sushi sandwich is a creative twist on the classic sushi roll – all the ingredients are pressed between two slices of crispy rice, instead of folding or inside the rice.
This was inspired by my Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice on this site. If you are a sushi lover, you have to try Tuna Poke Wonton Cups and my Viral Salmon Sushi Bake recipe!
What Is Japanese Sushi Sandwich (Onigirazu)?
A Japanese sushi sandwich, or onigirazu, is a fun twist on traditional sushi. Instead of rolling sushi into the typical maki form, you pile sushi rice, fish, veggies, and other fillings onto a sheet of nori (seaweed), then fold the edges over like a rectangular sandwich. While the Erewhon spicy sushi sandwich is not traditional, it is a trendy and sushi-inspired take on the classic Japanese sandwich.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with Flavor: The spicy tuna combined with fresh fish, avocado, and cucumber creates an irresistible balance of spicy, creamy, and savory flavors.
- Easy to Make: With a few simple ingredients, you can create a fun sushi-inspired sandwich without needing any sushi-making skills – perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Customizable: You can adjust the spiciness level, swap in different fish, or use your favorite veggies based on your liking.
- Fun to Eat: Unlike regular sushi rolls, the sandwich format is more approachable and portable, offering a handheld-easy-to-eat version of sushi roll.
Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make the best Crispy Rice Sushi Sandwich:
- Sushi Rice
- Rice Vinegar
- Sugar
- Sushi grade salmon
- Sushi grade tuna
- Kewpie Mayo
- Sriracha
- Soy Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Nori (seaweed sheet)
- Imitation crab or lump crab meat
- Avocado
- Cucumber
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Sushi Sandwich
- Make Sushi Rice: Cook sushi rice according to package instructions. Then in a microwave-safe bowl, combine rice vinegar and sugar. Microwave for about 30 sec, or until sugar is dissolved. Pour the vinegar mixture into the cooked rice and gently mix until well combined.
- Chill the Rice: Line a baking pan with plastic wrap. Transfer the cooked sushi rice to the pan and spread evenly. Press firmly to make sure it is packed. You can also place something flat and heavy on top. Chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Cut into Rectangular Shape: Once the rice has chilled, cut the rice into 4 rectangles.
- Fry the Rice: Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Carefully place the rice in the hot oil. Fry for a few minutes until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
Assemble the Sushi Sandwich
Place one crispy rice rectangle on a plate, then layer with nori sheet, chopped crab, cucumber, salmon, avocado slices, and spicy tuna. Drizzle spicy mayo over the the tuna, then place a second sheet of nori and another crispy rice slice on top.
How to Serve Sushi Sandwich
Use a sharp knife to slice the sandwich into halves. I cut the crispy rice slice separately so it is easier to handle and less messy. Dip it in spicy mayo sauce or eel sauce and enjoy immediately!
Substitutions
- Fish: You can substitute with any sushi-grade fish like yellowtail, mackerel, or even shrimp.
- Vegan Option: You can omit the fish and just add more avocado and cucumber for vegan or vegetarian option.
- Spicy Mayo: If you don’t like spice, you can use plain mayo or add a touch of sriracha for a more subtle kick.
- Rice: You can substitute sushi rice with brown rice.
- Soy Sauce – you can substitute with tamari or coconut aminos
Equipment
- Baking Pan
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Small mixing bowl
- Skillet or Frying Pan
How to Storage and Reheat
Sushi sandwich is best enjoyed immediately. Leftover ingredients can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Top Tips for Success
Use Fresh Fish: Since this sandwich features raw fish, always opt for the freshest, sushi-grade fish available to ensure the best flavor and safety.
Pack the Rice: make sure you press the rice firmly and packed it tightly so it does not fall apart when you fry it.
Slicing the Sandwich: Use a very sharp knife to get clean cuts. I cut the crispy rice slice separately so it is easier to handle and less messy.
FAQ
- Can I make the Erewhon Spicy Sushi Sandwich ahead of time? While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time (rice, fish, and avocado) and assemble the sandwich when ready to eat.
- Can I use cooked fish instead of raw fish? Yes, you can substitute the raw fish with cooked shrimp, crab, or even grilled salmon. The taste will be different but it will still be delicious.
- Is the sushi sandwich gluten-free? Yes, as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce and ensure your sushi rice is prepared without any added gluten ingredients.
- How spicy is the sandwich? The level of spice is adjustable. You can add more or less spicy mayo or sriracha depending on your preference, or even skip it entirely for a milder version.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Make sure you also tag me @onehappybite on Instagram and hashtag it #onehappybite so I can see your creations!
Crispy Rice Sushi Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
Make Crispy Sushi Rice
- 1 ½ cup sushi rice
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- oil for frying
Make Spicy Tuna
- ½ lb sushi-grade tuna, chopped into small pieces
- 3 tbsp Kewpie Mayo
- 2 tbsp srirach (more if you like spicy)
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
For Assembly
- ½ lb sushi-grade salmon, thinly sliced
- ½ lb imitation carb or lump crab meat, chopped
- 1 large nori sheet, cut into 4 rectangular shapes
- 1 Japanese or Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
- avocado, peeled and sliced
- spicy mayo, for drizzle and dipping
- eel sauce (optional), for drizzle or dipping
Instructions
Make Crispy Sushi Rice
- Cook sushi rice according to package instructions. Then in a microwave-safe bowl, combine rice vinegar and sugar. Microwave for about 30 sec, or until sugar is dissolved. Pour the vinegar mixture into the cooked rice and gently mix until well combined.
- Line a baking pan with plastic wrap. Transfer the cooked sushi rice to the pan and spread evenly. Press firmly to make sure it is packed. You can also place something flat and heavy on top. Chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Once the rice has chilled, cut the rice into 4 rectangles.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. To test if the oil is hot enough, dip a wooden chopstick into the oil. If the oil sizzle, that means the oil is ready.
- Carefully place the rice in the hot oil. Fry for a few minutes until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the crispy rice slices to a plate lined with paper towel.
Make Spicy Tuna
- In a bowl, add chopped tuna, Kewpie mayo, sriracha, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Sandwich
- Place one crispy rice rectangle on a plate, then layer with a nori sheet, chopped crab meat, sliced cucumber, salmon, avocado slices, and spicy tuna. Drizzle spicy mayo over the the tuna, then place a second sheet of nori and another crispy rice slice on top.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the sandwich into halves. You can cut the crispy rice slices separately so it is easier to handle and less messy. Dip the sandwich into spicy mayo sauce or eel sauce and enjoy immediately!
