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Crispy Rice with Trout Tartare

Crispy Rice with Trout Tartare

A Nikkei-style appetizer of pressed and pan-fried sushi rice squares, topped with a spicy trout (or salmon) tartare, cream cheese, avocado, pickled aji limo, and curled scallion.

smart_display Published 2026-07-17 download Extracted 2026-07-19
40m Prep
20m Cook
1h 30m Total
4 Servings

Ingredients

Assembly
  • as needed butter (for pan-frying the rice squares; oil can be substituted)
  • as needed cream cheese (spread lightly on the fried rice squares)
  • as needed avocado (sliced or mashed lightly onto the rice squares)
Garnish
  • as needed scallion (trimmed, halved, folded and sliced very thin, then curled in ice water 5-10 minutes)
  • a touch ice (for curling the scallion in water)
  • as needed toasted sesame seeds
  • a touch sesame oil
Pickled Aji Limo
  • as needed aji limo pepper (sliced very thin)
  • as needed white vinegar
  • 3 tsp sugar
  • a splash filtered water (to soften the sharpness of the vinegar)
Rice Seasoning
  • 0.25 cup white vinegar (rice or apple vinegar can be substituted)
  • 2 tbsp white sugar (dissolved into the vinegar)
  • 0.5 tsp salt (dissolved into the vinegar mixture)
Sushi Rice
  • 2 cups sushi rice (rinsed 4-5 times until water runs almost clear)
  • 2 cups water (same quantity as the rice)
Trout Tartare
  • as needed salmon trout fillet (skin and fatty membrane removed, cut into small cubes; salmon can be substituted)
  • as needed cucumber (cut into small cubes about the same size as the trout, skin on)
  • 1.5 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • to taste tabasco sauce (for a spicy kick) opcional
  • a few leaves fresh thyme (dried thyme can be substituted)
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper

Steps

Assembly

  1. 1
    Line a mold with parchment paper and pack the seasoned sushi rice into it, compacting firmly and evenly with a small bag or spatula so it has the same thickness throughout.
    Tip: A small strainer or colander works well as a tool to press the rice down firmly.
    ~10 min
  2. 2
    Cover the compacted rice well and refrigerate (or freeze for faster results) so it sets and compacts firmly.
    ~30 min
  3. 3
    Unmold the rice block and cut into small squares.
    ~5 min
  4. 4
    Heat a pan and fry the rice squares in butter (oil also works) until golden, about 4 minutes per side, then flip and repeat on the other side.
    Tip: If frying with oil instead of butter, drain the squares on a strainer or colander to remove excess oil.
    ~10 min
  5. 5
    Spread a touch of cream cheese and avocado on top of each fried rice square, then top with the trout tartare.
    ~5 min

Garnish

  1. 1
    Trim the scallion, cut in half, fold it flat, and slice very thin lengthwise. Place in a bowl of water with a touch of ice and let curl for 5-10 minutes.
    ~10 min
  2. 2
    Garnish with the curled scallion, the pickled aji limo, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds with a touch of sesame oil. Serve immediately.
    Tip: The pickled aji limo should rest about 15 minutes so the heat mellows and the sweet-tangy balance develops.
    ~3 min

Pickled Aji Limo

  1. 1
    Thinly slice the aji limo pepper. Mix vinegar, 3 tsp sugar, and a splash of filtered water to soften the vinegar's sharpness. Combine with the sliced pepper and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to pickle.
    ~15 min

Rice Seasoning

  1. 1
    Combine 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 tbsp white sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir well until the sugar and salt fully dissolve into the vinegar.
    ~3 min
  2. 2
    Let the rice cool for about 5 minutes, then pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and mash gently with a ladle to combine evenly, so the seasoning is uniform throughout.
    Tip: Pressing the rice as you mix helps it hold together later when compacted.
    ~5 min

Sushi Rice

  1. 1
    Measure 2 cups of sushi rice (or round-grain rice) and wash it 4-5 times until the rinse water runs almost clear, removing the excess starch.
    ~10 min
  2. 2
    Add the washed rice to a pot with an equal amount of water (2 cups). Stir and cook over the lowest heat for about 14-15 minutes.
    ~15 min
  3. 3
    Once cooked, let the rice rest covered for 10 more minutes before seasoning.
    ~10 min

Trout Tartare

  1. 1
    Fillet the trout, remove the skin, and trim off the fatty membrane. Slice into small strips, then dice into small cubes.
    Tip: Cut the knife at nearly a 45-degree angle and always press down near the tip so the skin doesn't come away with the flesh.
    ~10 min
  2. 2
    Dice the cucumber into small cubes about the same size as the trout, keeping the skin on since it is thin.
    ~5 min
  3. 3
    In a bowl, combine the diced trout and cucumber with the mayonnaise, ketchup, a few dashes of tabasco, fresh thyme leaves, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well.
    ~5 min

Nutrition (por porción)

320
Calorías
14g
Proteína
30g
Carbohidratos
16g
Grasa
2g
Fibra
Cultural Context
Arroz crujiente (crispy rice) is a staple of Peru's Nikkei cuisine, the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian traditions built around sushi rice paired with the bold citrus-and-chili flavors of Peruvian seafood dishes like tiradito and ceviche. Pressing seasoned sushi rice into blocks, pan-searing it until golden, and topping it with raw or cured fish is a popular piqueo (shareable appetizer) style in Lima's Nikkei restaurants, often served alongside a spicy mayo-based tartare and a quick aji limo pickle for acidity and heat.
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