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    Home » Cooking Basics

    13/04/2020

    Uni Sushi (Sea Urchin Sushi)

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    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.

    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.  #uniSushi #SeaUrchinSushi  #UniSashimi #WhatIsUni
    Table of Contents Show
    What is uni (sea urchin)?
    What does uni taste like?
    Nutrition value and health benefits
    Ways to use uni sea urchin
    Uni Sushi
    Seafood Bowl
    Uni Salad
    Uni Pasta
    How to make uni nigiri sushi
    Is uni raw?
    Why is uni so expensive?
    Uni Sushi (Sea Urchin Sushi)

    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. 

    • unopened sea urchins on the counter.
      Outside
    • Closeup showing 5 lobes inside of a sea urchin.
      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.

    Closeup of a piece uni on a silver spoon.

    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. 

    Uni sushi on a plate 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 seafood bowl with nori strips served in a Japanese bowl.

    Uni Salad

    Also called sea urchin ceviche, raw uni can be added to vegetable salad together with cucumbers, onions, etc. 

    Uni salad served inside of sea urchin shells.

    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: 

    • Tobiko
    • Yamagobo
    • Oshinko
    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.

    Uni Sushi (Sea Urchin Sushi)

    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.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Author: Izzy
    Calories: 72kcal

    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

    Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
    Author: Izzy
    Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Keyword: Sea Urchin Sushi, Uni Sushi
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking
    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.  #uniSushi #SeaUrchinSushi  #UniSashimi #WhatIsUni

    Filed Under: Cooking Basics Tagged With: nori seaweed sheet, sea urchin, sushi rice, uni

    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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