20 Japanese Tuna Head Recipe Get Ready To Indulge!

Published on: Mar 26, 2024

In Japanese cuisine, the tuna head is often overlooked, with most people opting for cuts from the body of the fish. However, this underrated part of the tuna is actually full of delicious meat and flavors that should not be missed. In this article, we will introduce you to a traditional Japanese recipe for cooking Japanese tuna head that will surely impress your taste buds and your dinner guests.

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1 of 19

Onigiri - Japanese Rice Balls

Main Ingredients: White Rice, Water, Salt, Bonito, Nori, Sesame Seeds

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This classic Japanese dish is a perfect accompaniment to beer can chicken. Simply mix cooked rice with furikake (a Japanese seasoning), nori (dried seaweed), and bonito flakes (dried fish flakes). Stuff the rice into a beer can and place the chicken on top. The rice will absorb the flavors of the beer, giving it a delicious umami taste.

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Japanese Rainbow Roll

Main Ingredients: Salmon, Tuna, Avocado, Imitation Crab Meat, Cucumber

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For a more elaborate dish, try making a Japanese rainbow roll to pair with your beer can chicken. This colorful sushi roll is made with a variety of fillings including avocado, cucumber, crab, and tuna. The flavors and textures of the roll will complement the juicy and flavorful chicken.

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Japanese Crispy Fried Rice Balls with Tuna & Orange...

Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Spring Onions, Fresh Cilantro, Ginger

These crispy fried rice balls are a great appetizer to serve alongside your beer can chicken. The combination of tuna and orange aioli adds a unique and delicious twist to this traditional Japanese dish. Plus, the crispy exterior of the rice balls will be a perfect contrast to the moist chicken.

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Tuna and Kimchi Onigirazu aka Japanese Rice Sandwich

Main Ingredients: Short Grain Rice, Nori, Tuna, Vegenaise, English

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Another way to incorporate tuna into your beer can chicken meal is with this Japanese rice sandwich. The tangy and spicy flavors of kimchi and the meatiness of the tuna will bring a whole new level of flavor to your chicken dish. Plus, it's a fun and creative way to present your meal.

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Japanese Radish Salad with Tuna and Radish Sprouts

Main Ingredients: Daikon, Tuna, Radish Sprouts, Shiso Leaves, Mayonnaise

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This light and refreshing salad is a great side dish for your beer can chicken. The combination of crunchy radish, tender tuna, and peppery radish sprouts will add a burst of freshness to your meal. Serve it with a simple vinaigrette dressing for an added kick.

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Vegetable and Spicy Tuna Maki

Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Seasoned Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Salt

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If you're a fan of sushi, you'll love this vegetable and spicy tuna maki to pair with your beer can chicken. The combination of fresh vegetables and spicy tuna will add a burst of flavor to your meal. Plus, the vibrant colors of the vegetables will make your dish look even more appetizing.

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Japanese Sushi Rolls

Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Water, Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Nori

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For a more traditional Japanese meal, serve your beer can chicken with a variety of sushi rolls. From California rolls to spicy tuna rolls, there are endless possibilities to choose from. The combination of flavors and textures will make for a satisfying and delicious meal.

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How To Make Onigiri (Japanese rice balls)

Main Ingredients: White Rice, Sushi Nori, Tuna Packed In Oil, Mayonnaise

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Learn how to make onigiri, a staple in Japanese cuisine. These simple rice balls can be flavored with different ingredients such as salmon, tuna, or pickled plums. Serve them alongside your beer can chicken for a complete and authentic Japanese meal.

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Hiyayakko (Japanese Cold Tofu)

Main Ingredients: Silken Tofu, Spring Onion, Ginger, Bonito, Japanese Soy

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This cold tofu dish is a great side dish to serve with your beer can chicken. The cool and silky texture of the tofu pairs well with the juicy and flavorful chicken. Top it with some green onions, grated ginger, and soy sauce for added flavor.

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Tuna Sushi Cones

Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Seaweed, Rice Wine Vinegar, Nori Sheet

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For a fun and creative way to serve sushi, try making these tuna sushi cones. The combination of fresh tuna, avocado, and sushi rice will add a burst of flavor to your beer can chicken meal. Plus, the cone shape makes it easy to eat and enjoy.

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Snowman Sushi

Main Ingredients: Sushi Rice, Nori, Small Carrot, Wasabi Powder, Black

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If you're feeling extra festive, why not make some snowman sushi to serve with your beer can chicken? These adorable sushi rolls are made with crab, avocado, and cucumber. Use a little bit of nori to create the snowman's face and buttons for a fun and tasty addition to your meal.

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Canned Tuna Sushi for Kids

Main Ingredients: Nori Seaweed, Sushi Rice, Tuna, Mayonnaise, Soy Sauce

Getting your kids to eat fish can be a challenge, but this canned tuna sushi is sure to be a hit. The combination of creamy avocado and crunchy cucumber will make this a tasty and healthy option to serve with your beer can chicken. Plus, it's a great way to introduce your kids to Japanese cuisine.

13 of 19

Japanese Tuna Poke

Main Ingredients: Sushi Grade Tuna, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Chili Garlic

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Poke is a popular Hawaiian dish, but it has its roots in Japanese cuisine. This dish is typically made with raw fish, but you can also use canned tuna for a more budget-friendly option. Serve it with your beer can chicken for a fusion meal that will tantalize your taste buds.

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Onigiri - Japanese Rice Balls

Main Ingredients: Shiso, Salmon, Dried Seaweed, Seasoning, Sushi Rice

If you're looking for a heartier side dish for your beer can chicken, try making niku udon. This Japanese noodle dish is made with thick udon noodles, sliced beef, and a savory broth. It's a filling and delicious option to serve with your chicken.

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Niku Udon (Japanese Meat Udon)

Main Ingredients: Water, Kombu, Bonito, Sake, Granulated Sugar, Soy

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This popular Japanese dish, also known as katsudon, is a great way to use up any leftovers from your beer can chicken. Simply top a bowl of rice with sliced chicken, panko-crusted pork, and a sweet and savory sauce. It's a quick and easy option for a delicious meal.

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Japanese Beef Rice Bowl

Main Ingredients: Water, Dried Kombu, Bonita, Yellow Onion, Red Onion

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This simple and flavorful dish is a great way to use up canned tuna. The tuna is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, and mirin before being served on a bed of rice. It's a tasty and budget-friendly option to serve alongside your beer can chicken.

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Maguro no Zuke-don (Marinated Tuna on Rice)

Main Ingredients: Tuna, Cooked Rice, Sake, Mirin, Soy Sauce, Yakinori

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These hand rolls are a fun and interactive way to enjoy sushi with your beer can chicken. The combination of buttery toro (fatty tuna) and crisp green onions is a match made in heaven. Serve them with some soy sauce for dipping and enjoy the explosion of flavors in your mouth.

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Toro Green Onion Hand Sushi Rolls

Main Ingredients: Nori, Sushi Rice, Wasabi Paste, Tuna, Green Onion

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If you're feeling adventurous, try making some tuna tartare to serve with your beer can chicken. This raw dish is made with diced tuna, avocado, and a tangy dressing. The creamy texture of the avocado complements the tuna perfectly, making for a delicious and elegant side dish.

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Tuna Tartare

Main Ingredients: Sushi Grade Tuna, Scallions, Tomato, Cilantro Leaves

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Similar to the hand rolls mentioned before, these sushi hand rolls are a great way to enjoy sushi with your beer can chicken. Stuff them with your favorite fillings, such as tuna, salmon, or cucumber, and enjoy the burst of flavors and textures in every bite. These are just a few of the many ways you can incorporate Japanese flavors and dishes into your beer can chicken meal. So next time you're in the mood for something new and exciting, give one of these recipes a try and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.

Preparation and Ingredients

To prepare the Japanese tuna head recipe, you will need a fresh and whole tuna head, around 3-4 pounds in weight. Make sure to ask your fishmonger to remove the gills and clean the head thoroughly. You will also need the following ingredients:

1 cup sake
1 cup mirin
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup water
1 piece of kombu (dried kelp)
1-2 tablespoons of bonito flakes
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves of garlic, smashed
1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
1 stalk of leek, sliced
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of mirin
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar

Marinating the Tuna Head

Once you have all the ingredients ready, it's time to marinate the tuna head. In a large pot, combine the sake, mirin, soy sauce, water, kombu, and bonito flakes. Place the tuna head in the pot and make sure it is fully submerged in the marinade. Cover the pot and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight for better flavor.

Cooking the Tuna Head

After marinating, take the tuna head out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. In a separate pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, leek, and carrot, and sauté until they start to soften. Remove the tuna head from the marinade and place it on top of the vegetables. Pour in the marinade and add the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and rice vinegar. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, until the tuna head is fully cooked and tender.

Serving and Enjoying

Once the tuna head is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot and place it on a serving dish. You can also strain the vegetables and use them as a side dish. Serve the tuna head with some steamed rice and enjoy the tender and flavorful meat. You can also use the leftover marinade as a dipping sauce for the tuna head. Now that you know how to make a delicious Japanese tuna head dish, it's time to impress your friends and family with your newfound culinary skills. This dish is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients and health benefits. The bonito flakes used in the marinade are a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, while the sesame oil and rice vinegar provide anti-inflammatory properties. So don't hesitate to give this recipe a try and discover the deliciousness of the often overlooked tuna head in Japanese cuisine.