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–+ servings
Spider Roll Sushi is filled with soft-shell crab tempura, cucumber, and carrots, then rolled in sushi rice and nori seaweed sheet. The crab legs look like spider legs, which gave this tasty roll its name. The Spider Roll does not have any raw fish, making it ideal for those who simply do not like raw sushi. Serve it as an appetizer or snack with wasabi and soy sauce.
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Spider Roll Recipe

Spider Roll Sushi is filled with soft-shell crab tempura, cucumber, and carrots, then rolled in sushi rice and nori seaweed sheet. The crab legs look like spider legs, which gave this tasty roll its name. The Spider Roll does not have any raw fish, making it ideal for those who simply do not like raw sushi. Serve it as an appetizer or snack with wasabi and soy sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Spider Roll, Spider Roll Sushi
Servings: 24 pieces (3 rolls)
Author: Izzy

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Sushi Rice

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

For the Crab Tempura

  • 3 soft-shell crabs
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup iced water
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • oil for frying

For the Spider Roll

  • 1/2 cucumber (cut into thin strips, you can also use avocados)
  • 1 carrots (cut into thin strips)
  • 2 sheets nori (seaweed sheet)
  • unagi sauce (to taste, optional)

Instructions

Cook Sushi Rice

  • Add the rinsed 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.

Cook Crab Tempura

  • Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven.
  • Add the egg into cold water in a measuring cup.
  • Whisk the mixture vigorously until combined.
  • Add flour into a large mixing bowl, and pour the mixture into the flour slowly. Mix gently. (Make sure not to over mix).
  • Clean the crab thoroughly, pat dry, and dip into the batter.
  • Deep fry the crab for a few minutes until golden brown.
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked crab to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Make Spider Rolls

  • Cover the bamboo mat with a piece of plastic wrap.
  • Split the nori sheet into two pieces using a pair of scissors.
  • Place half of the nori sheet on top of the bamboo mat, 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 water* to prevent sticking.)
  • Flip everything so that rice is facing down.
  • Place 1 crab tempura, trips of cucumber and carrots on top of the nori. Drizzle with optional unagi sauce.
  • 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 mat and plastic wrap. Then slice the roll into bite-size pieces. Drizzle with soy sauce or unagi sauce. Serve and enjoy.

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 450IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg