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    Home » Recipes

    03/13/2021

    Dragon Roll Sushi (Shrimp Tempura Roll with Avocado Topping)

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    The Dragon Roll is one of the all-time best sushi dishes at Japanese restaurants. Filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, dragon roll sushi has a delicious avocado topping, resembling the scales of a dragon. We’ll share all the tips and tricks so that you can easily make them at home!

    The Dragon Roll is one of the all-time best sushi dishes at Japanese restaurants. Filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, dragon roll sushi has a delicious avocado topping, resembling the scales of a dragon. We’ll share all the tips and tricks so that you can easily make them at home!

    I love to recreate Japanese favorites at home, including Volcano Roll, California Roll, Rainbow Roll, and this tasty dragon roll.

    What makes dragon roll sushi so irresistible? It’s the winning combination of crunchy shrimp tempura, cucumber, and creamy avocado. Dragon rolls may also be made with tasty unagi/eel for a unique flavor combination. It’s easier than you think to make the perfect Dragon Roll in your own kitchen.

    Table of Contents Show
    What is a Dragon Roll?
    Dragon Roll Ingredients
    How to Make Dragon Roll
    Step 1: Cook Sushi Rice & Prepare Other Ingredients
    Step 2: Make Dragon Rolls
    Step 3: Make the Avocado Topping
    Step 4: Assemble the Dragon Roll Sushi
    Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Green Dragon Roll
    Are Dragon Rolls Good for You?
    How to Make Avocado Toppings
    Variations
    Dragon Roll Recipe

    What is a Dragon Roll?

    The Dragon Roll is a type of “inside-out” sushi, with shrimp tempura and cucumber rolled inside the nori. The rice is on the outside, topped with avocado. The avocado is cut into half-moon slices and laid on top of the roll, resembling the scales of a dragon. Dragon Rolls are shrimp tempura rolls with avocado topping. However, the shrimp is sometimes substituted with unagi/eel.

    Dragon Roll Ingredients

    Dragon Roll ingredients on the counter.
    • Sushi Rice: Sushi rice is a special kind of short-grain rice, found in the Japanese section of grocery stores. It’s stickier than other varieties, allowing it to hold its shape when compacted and rolled. If you can’t find sushi rice, try looking for a medium-grain variety called Nishiki rice.
    • Sushi Vinegar: For the authentic flavor, season your rice with sushi vinegar. Look for sushi vinegar in the Japanese aisle of your supermarket. Otherwise, make it yourself by combining rice vinegar with a bit of sugar and salt.
    • Shrimp Tempura: For a quick and easy recipe, I used pre-made frozen shrimp tempura. You can also make them at home: simply make the tempura batter by mixing an egg with a splash of cold water and flour. Toss jumbo deveined shrimp in cornstarch before dipping them in the tempura batter. Fry them in oil until they’re crispy and golden brown.
    • Cucumber: Cucumbers add crunch and texture to your roll. Cut your cucumber into thin strips. If you prefer, you may use strips of zucchini or bell pepper.
    • Avocado: You’ll want a perfectly ripe avocado that’s creamy, yet firm enough to keep its shape during slicing. Find one that yields when it is gently pressed.
    • Nori/Seaweed Sheet: You can easily find these thin sheets of nori seaweed in the Japanese aisle of most supermarkets.
    • Lemon (optional): If you wish, squeeze lemon juice on your roll to prevent the avocado from browning. This won’t be necessary if you’ll be eating your roll right away!

    How to Make Dragon Roll

    Step 1: Cook Sushi Rice & Prepare Other Ingredients

    Dragon Roll recipe: step 1 photo.
    • Add the rinsed sushi rice and water to the rice cooker. Once cooked, transfer to a large bowl and let it cool down slightly. When it’s still very warm, stir in the sushi vinegar, and mix well.
    • Prepare other ingredients by cutting cucumbers and get nori sheet ready. If you use frozen shrimp tempura, you’ll need to bake them according to instructions.

    Step 2: Make Dragon Rolls

    Dragon Roll recipe step 2: placing half of the nori sheet onto the bamboo mat and spread the rice on top.
    • Cut the nori sheets into halves, and place one piece on top of the bamboo mat wrapped with plastic wrap, the shiny side facing down.
    • Take 3/4 cup of the seasoned sushi rice and spread it over the nori sheet evenly.
    Dragon roll recipe step 2: flip and let the rice face down. Add shrimp and cucumber.
    • Flip everything, and let the rice face down.
    • Add shrimp tempura and cucumber on top of the nori.
    Dragon roll recipe step 2: rolling the sushi.
    • Place the thumbs underneath the bamboo mat and lift the edge up and over the filling.
    • Roll the bamboo mat away from you and apply some pressure to tighten it up. Keep rolling until the ends meet. Remove the bamboo mat and plastic wrap. Set it aside.

    Step 3: Make the Avocado Topping

    Dragon Roll recipe step 3: making avocado topping.
    • Slice the avocado in half. Then remove the pit and skin. Cut each piece into thin half-moon slices.
    • Spread the layer on the counter.

    Step 4: Assemble the Dragon Roll Sushi

    Dragon Roll recipe step 4: assembling the roll
    • Use a large knife to lift avocado slices up and carefully place them on top of your sushi roll.
    • Arrange the avocado layer to cover your roll properly. Then place plastic wrap on top, and cover with the sushi mat. Squeeze gently to shape the avocado around the roll.
    • Remove the mat from the roll while keeping the plastic wrap. Then slice the roll into bite-size pieces. Remove the plastic wrap and enjoy!
    The Dragon Roll is one of the all-time best sushi dishes at Japanese restaurants. Filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, dragon roll sushi has a delicious avocado topping, resembling the scales of a dragon. We’ll share all the tips and tricks so that you can easily make them at home!

    Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Green Dragon Roll

    • Allow your rice to cool before rolling, though it should still be slightly warm.
    • Use Tezu water to dip your hands before handling rice to prevent sticking.
    • To avoid your rolls from falling apart, you’ll need to squeeze the rice and filling while rolling. Once you finish, gently squeeze the roll one more time.
    • Cut your avocado into very thin pieces so that it’s easier to shape the topping.
    • If you won’t be serving your roll immediately, lemon juice can help to prevent the avocado from going brown and ruining the appearance of your roll.
    The Dragon Roll is one of the all-time best sushi dishes at Japanese restaurants. Filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, dragon roll sushi has a delicious avocado topping, resembling the scales of a dragon. We’ll share all the tips and tricks so that you can easily make them at home!

    Are Dragon Rolls Good for You?

    Because dragon rolls are made with fried shrimp, they may not be the healthiest sushi option. Shrimp tempura rolls tend to be higher in calories than other rolls. For healthier dragon rolls, you can replace shrimp tempura with boiled shrimp.

    How to Make Avocado Toppings

    Closeup of avocado topping.

    The artful avocado topping is what makes the dragon roll so impressive. With a bit of practice, you can master the technique. Carefully slice your avocado in half and remove the skin and pit. Cut each half into 1/8-inch pieces, each shaped like a crescent moon. Spread out the pieces on a flat surface and gently use a large knife to lay them on top of your roll in a single layer. Place plastic wrap on top and use your hands to gently mold the avocado into the shape of the roll.

    Variations

    • Golden Dragon Roll: Golden dragon rolls are topped with slices of mango instead of avocado. The sweet tropical fruit is delicious with the savory shrimp tempura.
    • Red Dragon Roll: Add some red tobiko or masago to the top of your roll for a red dragon roll. Japanese for flying fish roe, this brightly colored ingredient is sprinkled on top of sushi rolls for color and texture.
    • Black Dragon Roll: Thin slices of eel can be put on top of your roll for a tasty black dragon roll.
    • Veggie Dragon Roll: Vegans and vegetarians can enjoy a veggie dragon roll. Simply replace the shrimp tempura with strips of smoked tofu or roasted eggplant.

    If You Like This Recipe Try Out These Japanese Sushi Recipes

    The Spicy Tuna Roll is a classic Japanese sushi roll – smooth, creamy, and fiery spicy. Nori seaweed sheet is filled with seasoned sushi rice, avocado, and sashimi-grade tuna that’s tossed in sriracha spicy mayo. This hand roll recipe takes about 15 minutes from start to finish once the sushi rice is ready. I’ll share with you the secrets to make the best tuna sushi with a step-by-step guide! #SpicyTunaRoll #TunaSushi
    Spicy Tuna Roll
    This Caterpillar Roll recipe is made with delicious unagi and crunchy cucumber rolled in seaweed sheet and sushi rice, with an avocado topping. You can customize the roll with other delicious fillings. It’s so easy to make and I’ll share with you the secrets on how to make an avocado wrapper! #CaterpillarRoll #CaterpillarSushiRoll #CaterpillarMakiRoll
    Caterpillar Roll
    Spicy Salmon Rolls made with your favorite salmon tossed in sriracha spicy mayo, then rolled in nori seaweed sheet and fluffy sushi rice! You can easily customize the roll by adding other delicious ingredients. It’s so much cheaper than the restaurant, and takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. I’ll share with you the secrets to make the best spicy salmon sushi, with step by step photos! #SpicySalmonRoll
    Spicy Salmon Roll
    Boston Rolls are filled with creamy avocado, succulent shrimp, and crunchy cucumber, then rolled in nori seaweed sheet and sushi rice! It’s usually garnished with the bright orange tobiko (Japanese flying fish roe). In this recipe, you will learn how to make sushi rice, how to select fillings, how to roll the the sushi, and how to garnish with tobiko! #BostonRoll #BostonSushi #BostonRollSushi
    Boston Roll

    If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Dragon Rolls turn out in the comments below!

    The Dragon Roll is one of the all-time best sushi dishes at Japanese restaurants. Filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, dragon roll sushi has a delicious avocado topping, resembling the scales of a dragon. We’ll share all the tips and tricks so that you can easily make them at home!

    Dragon Roll Recipe

    The Dragon Roll is one of the all-time best sushi dishes at Japanese restaurants. Filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, dragon roll sushi has a delicious avocado topping, resembling the scales of a dragon. We’ll share all the tips and tricks so that you can easily make them at home!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 24 pieces (3 rolls)
    Author: Izzy
    Calories: 59kcal

    Ingredients 

    For the Sushi Rice

    • 1 ½ cups sushi rice (uncooked short-grain sushi rice)
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 2 tablespoons sushi vinegar (or mixing 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon sugar)

    For the Dragon Roll

    • 8 shrimp tempura (I used the pre-made frozen shrimp tempura, and you can also sub cooked unagi/eel)
    • 1/2 cucumber (cut into 1/2-inch strips)
    • 2 avocados (ripe but still firm)
    • 2 sheets nori (seaweed sheet)
    • Lemon optional, you’ll need to squeeze some lemon juice over avocado if you don’t serve the roll immediately

    Optional for Serving

    • unagi sauce
    • masago

    Instructions 

    Cook Sushi Rice & Prepare Other Ingredients

    • Rinse the sushi rice. Then add the rice and water to the rice cooker. Once cooked, transfer to a large bowl and let it cool down slightly. When it’s still very warm, stir in the sushi vinegar (or the mixture of rice vinegar and sugar).
    • While the rice is cooking, you can cut cucumbers into thin strips. Cook shrimp tempura if needed. I used the frozen ones, and baked them according to the instructions (You'll need to let the cooked shrimp tempura to cool down before adding them to the sushi).

    Make Dragon Rolls

    • Lay out the bamboo mat with a piece of plastic wrap on top (to prevent the rice from sticking to the bamboo).
    • Fold the nori sheet in half and split using a pair of scissors.
    • Place half of the nori sheet on top of the bamboo mat, the shiny side facing down.
    • Take 3/4 cup of cooked rice and spread it over the nori sheet evenly using your hands. (Dip your hands in Tezu vinegar water* to prevent sticking.)
    • Flip everything so that rice is facing down.
    • Place 2 pieces of shrimp tempura and 2 strips of cucumber on top of the nori.
    • Place the thumbs underneath the bamboo mat and lift the edge up and over the filling.
    • Roll the bamboo mat away from you and apply some pressure to tighten it up. Keep rolling until the ends meet. Remove the bamboo mat and the plastic wrap. Set the rolls aside.

    Make the Avocado Topping & Assemble

    • Slice the avocado in half. Then remove the pit and skin.
    • Cut each piece into thin half-moon slices. Make sure to cut it into very thin pieces so that the toppings can be easily shapped.
    • Spread the layer on the counter.
    • Use a large knife to lift avocado slices up and carefully place them on top of your sushi roll.
    • Arrange the avocado layer to cover your roll properly. Then place plastic wrap on top, and cover with the sushi mat. Squeeze gently to shape the avocado around the roll.
    • Remove the mat from the roll while keeping the plastic wrap. Then slice the roll into bite-size pieces. Remove the plastic wrap and enjoy!

    Equipment

    Bamboo Sushi Mat
    Plastic Wrap
    Sharp Knife
    Cutting Board

    Notes

    • *Tezu water for dipping hands: Mix together 1/4 cup water and 2 teaspoons rice vinegar.
    • To prevent sushi rolls from falling apart, you’ll need to squeeze the rice and filling while rolling. Once you finish, gently squeeze the roll one more time.
    • The dragon roll tastes the best when it’s fresh. You can drizzle a small amount of lemon juice over the avocado to prevent it from browning if you don’t serve your rolls immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
    Author: Izzy
    Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Keyword: Dragon Roll, Dragon Roll Sushi
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking
    The Dragon Roll is one of the all-time best sushi dishes at Japanese restaurants. Filled with shrimp tempura and cucumber, dragon roll sushi has a delicious avocado topping, resembling the scales of a dragon. We’ll share all the tips and tricks so that you can easily make them at home!

    Filed Under: Dinner, Recipes, Sushi Tagged With: avocado, cucumber, nori, Shrimp Tempura, sushi rice, sushi vinegar

    About Izzy

    I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

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    Hi, this is Izzy! On my blog, you will find easy and delicious recipes for the everyday home cook, with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos.

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