Uni is the Japanese word for the edible part of the sea urchin and often used in nigiri sushi, sashimi, or served with salad and pasta. Uni Sushi is a stable in many Japanese restaurants.
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What is uni (sea urchin)?
Uni is actually a sea urchin’s gonads, which produce the roe. The spiny, globular urchin is harvested from the ocean, and then cleaned and carefully cut open. Each sea urchin contains 5 creamy orange color “lobes” (see the picture below) and it’s a very delicate process to harvest uni as the meat falls apart very easily. It looks like cow’s tongue and can be unsightly for some people.
There are different grades of uni based on freshness, color and texture. Grade A is the highest grade with bright golden color and a firm texture. It’s slightly sweet and the most expensive. Grade B has a muted yellow color with a softer texture and is less sweet. Grade C is the lowest grade and often the leftover parts.
Outside Inside
What does uni taste like?
Uni is a delicacy in many parts of the world: it’s briny, creamy, and slightly sweet with a strong ocean smell. Uni has a custard-like consistency and is buttery in texture. It’s a similar experience to eating tobiko or oysters and tastes slightly different from one region to another. It’s often an acquired taste and I absolutely love it.
Nutrition value and health benefits
Uni is a good source of proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. It’s a healthy option with few calories and great for weight loss diet. A 100gram uni contains 172 calories and very little fat, mostly unsaturated fat.
Ways to use uni sea urchin
Uni tastes best when it’s fresh and raw, but it can also be cooked gently in dishes such as pasta. Below are a few ways to use uni:
Uni Sushi
It’s a staple sushi item in most sushi restaurants in Japan. Uni Sushi is seasoned rice wrapped in seaweed sheet and then topped with raw uni. It can also be served with salmon roes.
Seafood Bowl
Also called Kaisen Don, seafood bowl is a combination of seafood and rice. Uni is often added to the bowl together with other seafood and salmon roes.
Uni Salad
Also called sea urchin ceviche, raw uni can be added to vegetable salad together with cucumbers, onions, etc.
Uni Pasta
Uni can be added to pasta either raw or cooked. It makes a delicious “wafu” Japanese style pasta.
How to make uni nigiri sushi
- First cut a nori seaweed sheet into 5 strips.
- Wet your hands with vinegar water and shape a handful of rice into an oval shape.
- Wrap a strip of nori around the rice, leaving about 1/2 inch at the top.
- Place a piece of uni on top of the rice.
- Serve with optional soy sauce and wasabi.
Is uni raw?
Yes, uni is often served raw in nigiri sushi, sashimi, or salad. It can also be cooked with pasta.
Why is uni so expensive?
Although sea urchins can be found in all of the world’s oceans, they’re difficult to harvest. In addition, the edible parts inside are delicate and only taste good when fresh. As result, they’re quite expensive.
In summary, uni has gained great popularity around the world. If you like sashimi or fish roe, you should definitely give it a try. It’s a special Japanese delicacy worth discovering.
Other Japanese Ingredients You Might Like:
Uni Sushi (Sea Urchin Sushi)
Ingredients
For Sushi Rice
- 1 cup sushi rice short grain sushi rice
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoons optional sushi vinegar or mixing 1 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Uni Sushi
- 10 pieces uni sea urchin
- 2 sheets nori seaweed
- 3-4 tablespoons salmon roes optional
Instructions
- Cook sushi rice: Wash the rice and add it to the rice cooker together with water. 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).
- Make uni sushi: Cut each nori seaweed sheet into 5 strips.
- Wet your hands with vinegar water and shape a handful of rice into an oval shape.
- Wrap a strip of nori around the rice, leaving about ½ inch at the top.
- Seal the ends with a few pieces of cooked rice.
- Place a piece of uni (and optional salmon roes) on top of the rice.
- Serve with optional soy sauce and wasabi.
Nutrition
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