Jul
04
Uni, Hot & Cold
I love tempura but one of my favorites is Uni tempura. If you’re bored of the normal shrimp tempura routine, try this. Something about the soft and molten-like texture of the warmed uni against the crisp texture of the tempura batter makes it extra special, at least compared to things like shrimp tempura. It is definitely another way to enjoy sea urchin besides the typical sashimi/sushi way.
The Shiso leaf (green leaf that the uni is sitting on) is really important for this, it adds a special leafy perfume to the uni (which is quite cloying and custardlike). Shiso is my absolute favorite scent. Without the shiso leaf this dish would taste mediocre.
Wrap it around the uni.
Another important step; place the rolled uni inside your freezer for 10-20 minutes. It hardens the uni a bit so that when you put it in the tempura batter, it doesn’t fall apart right away. It solidifies it a little more so it’s easier to handle. If its too frozen you will end up eating cold uni so I would suggest a timer.
This is store bought tempura batter mixing with water. Make sure the water is ice cold.
The last flavor component of this dish is lime juice and lime salt. The lime salt = lime zest + salt. The uni is dipped into the juice, and then the salt.
To garnish, add thin slices of lime.
If the texture is too hard, and not molten-like, then the uni has been fried too long. It should look like this.
Can’t forget the lime zest salt and lime juice.
If you have some extra UNI leftover, you should definitely make some UNI MOJITOS. This dish was popularized by Nobu Matsuhisa, who started the popular japanese Nobu restaurant chain, which is a few steps close to resembling the Benihana japanese steakhouse chain. The liquid is a mixture of white soy sauce, mint, shiso leaf, mint syrup, lime juice, and sake.
Uni enjoyed at a lower temperature, with alcohol.
Happy fourth of July! I can’t wait for fireworks.
amazing!!!
That looks delicious, uni is a magical beast. Shiso is one of my favorite flavors/aromas as well, you’re probably familiar with Tantakatan (shiso shochu) but if not you have to try it, I think you’d love it.
blown away… yet again
So sensual uni.
dear lord, you should just open up a restaurant… i’d travel there in a heartbeat!
This looks so good, especially for sushi lovers like myself! Great idea. xo
Do blog more about food! I love your food posts.
Yay!!! Food post.
I’m so willing to try the tempura style!! I’m scared of trying the cold one but I heard it’s really good. Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to try it cold.
Yum, perfect. Happy 4th!
it’s exquisite!!!
I’ve never had uni before but would try it now…
although i’ve already eaten and i’m not hungry at all i cought myself thinking, i want this. this is awesome, amazing brilliant!
i enjoy both ur fashion and ur food, but was starting to miss the food posts. thx for the reminder of y ur blog is yumminess. as always, i LOVE the way u present things.
i love uni sushis.. never tried in tempura it looks so good!!
glad to see another food post after so long!!
wow, this post is like a food orgasm. the uni with the shiso leaf and tempura batter looks/sounds delicious! happy 4th of July!
Hello.
What are good places in the new york area to purchase uni? I am very interested in trying these intriguing recipes!
I love uni and your post makes me want to instantly go out and get some. Inspiring, vivid photos as always. I love the idea of uni mojitos!
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I’ve always wanted to try uni, but it’s too expensive for me and looks too much like a tongue. Haha
Although, the cross-section shot with the uni seeping through the tempura is def. making my mouth water.
Wow, that photo of the uni oozing out of the tempura shell is just gorgeous, luscious.
I tried uni for the first time at the fish markets in Tokyo a few weeks ago. I wanted so much to like it but I couldn’t get past the texture… I guess anything tastes good deep fried! haha!
i think it looks amazing!
it makes a person like me who always sticks to ebi sushi want to try something from what i usually eat.
its also something ive never heard before!
you make food look so appetising!
shrimp tempura is the best thing in the world! this looks amazing
not a big fan of uni but it just looks so good.
amazing, looks so good!
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xx
one of my favorite dishes ever! i always get shiso/uni tempura when i go to my favorite sushi bar. totally craving some now. good thing i’m going this week.
how does the uni mojito taste? it sounds intriguing!
Haha, as a previous commenter said, it is just the most sensual looking seafood I can imagine. I would be super interested in tasting one of those mojitos, it’s really like nothing I’ve ever had before. The inside of the uni tempura reminds me of those jalapeño poppers, honestly, except probably a lllllllot more subtle and delicious. I wanna tryyyyyyy
I’m not a huge fan of uni, but I would totally try the uni tempura…. thanks for sharing as always! Ugh, why am I reading all your food posts at 3:30am?! Worst idea ever
I love your site but don’t think I’ve ever commented before. Your blog provides me with such escapism and inspiration; thank you.
I have to know what vessel it is you used for the deep frying. I thought it was a Pyrex measuring cup at first before realizing it was actually cooking the uni. That’s the sort of mistaken identity I can get behind. Do you mind letting me know what it is? I’d be grateful.
We had a cheap one from Target that we used to fry everything in our apartment, from artichokes to wontons to ravioli. It died rather suddenly, but I can’t say I was upset. It was an eyesore, and I gained 15 pounds in a year.
wow.
Oh my god. That sounds amazing. Like…. really amazing. Like I wish I hadn’t had a bottle of tempranillo and some good rum (Kraken) amazing. I’d go spend the 50 it would probably cost at a random sushi place for 3 or 4 pieces. What does one have to do to get invited the next time you make it?
Would “shiso” be the same as or equivalent of the Korean sesame leaf/”kket-nip”?
@ Eunice They are similar but the taste is really different.
mmm brilliant. Kind of like frying brains.
goodness gracious i’d kill to have these. i love uni already w/o any leaf. not so discerning, my tastebuds. haha.
Those pictures are amazing and uni is one of my favorite things in the world. I’m doing a soup next… the good uni is pricey but boy is it worth every cent… lovely blog, so glad I stopped by!
I’ve tried uni numerous times, and just don’t like it. But I think I may like it wrapped in shiso and dipped in tempura batter!
This looks amazing!
Did you deep fry the uni in a Catamount over a bunsen burner? The image is just beautiful!
just uni with shiso leaf is heaven. trying tempura tonight….w cold sake
very cold champagne for dessert.
Great blog! Sorry to change the subject, but, since Nashville is getting a lot of press lately, I’m looking for a great Nashville sushi restaurant or Japanese restaurant. Have you read any recent buzz? There’s a new one called Nomzilla Sushi Et Cetera, but I’ve only seen a few reviews. Here’s the address of this new Nashville Sushi Restaurant , 1201 Villa Place, Suite 101 Nashville, TN 37212 – (615) 268-1424. Thoughts? Thanks!