Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (2024)

Recipe

24Mar 2012

Inari Sushi

Filed Under:

  • Appetizer
  • Japanese
  • Recipe
  • Vegetarian

25 Comments

Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (1)

Back when Philadelphia was home, I often frequented an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant called Ajia located a few steps from the Schuylkill River. For just $21.95, my friends and I gorged until we burst on shrimp tempura rolls, all manner of nigiri, and unique-to-Philly creations like the sweet potato roll and “Rock N Roll” roll.

Though I tried my darnedest to get my money’s worth during these AYCE outings, I couldnever resist ordering a half dozen inari along with the usual sushi spread. These sweet fried tofu pouches filled with marinated rice were easily the least cost effective menu item, and worse yet, they sat in my stomach like a brick. I wasn’t being a savvy consumer, but I didn’t care because the inari were delicious.

While shopping for furikake and Sumo citrus at my neighborhood Mitsuwa the other weekend, the idea of making inari from scratch popped into my head. After finding a trusty recipe from JustJenn and collecting the ingredients missing from my pantry, I came home and made some for lunch.

This semi-homemade recipe came together quickly and most satisfactorily. Considering that the rice was prepared in a rice cooker and the tofu pouches were sold prefabbed, the only real work was measuring the dressing, toasting some sesame seeds, and assembling the whole package. Project inari proved to be so easy and satisfying that I’ll never again order it at a restaurant. And certainly not at an all-you-can-eat one!

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked sushi rice
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 package aburage (tofu pouches)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white sesame seeds

Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (2)

Prepare rice according to the directions written on the package. I used my rice cooker, which was gifted to me by my mother when I graduated from college.

Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (3)

While the rice is bubbling and boiling away, whisk together the vinegar, salt, and sugar in a medium sized bowl and set aside. Dress the rice with this mixture as soon as it is cooked. Adjust the amount according to your preferences—use less for well-balanced rice, more for tangier rice.

Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (4)

Prepare tofu pouches according to the directions written on the package. The brand I used required boiling the pouches in their packaging for five minutes.

Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (5)

On a separate burner, lightly toast the sesame seeds until they are golden and nutty. Set aside.

Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (6)

To assemble, open the pouches, fill with seasoned rice, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve straightaway.

Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (7)

Makes 12 inari sushi.

Recipe by JustJenn. [For Printable Recipe Click Here]

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  1. When I was a kid, my mom would make this all the time. My job was to fan the rice as she tossed it with the dressing to ensure that the rice would be shiny. No idea if this is true, I just know it was my job in the process. Still my favorite treat and greatest comfort food.

  2. I just had homemade inari at a St. Patrick’s Day party (South Bay area, so inari totally normal) and it was amazing. BTW – I also lived right by the Schuylkill River, in King of Prussia, for a number of years!

  3. Linda – So, that explains why my rice wasn’t shiny! Actually, I have no idea if that’s true, but I love that your mom included you in the inari making process when you were a kid. I think I’ll do the same if I ever have little ones 😉

    Rachael – Inari IS amazing. And I can’t believe you lived by the Schuylkill River too. What are the chances? I heart Philly.

  4. I love inari! This is what I judge a sushi place by because it is my favorite thing. If it is not on the menu, I don’t even want to go back a 2nd time.

  5. Awww BUMMED I missed out on those little cool pockets! You know how I feel about tofu. 😉 Might have to attempt these bad boys on my own!

    P.S. Sumo Citrus? Isn’t it the best??????

  6. I’m very impressed with these open-top inari as I’m used to seeing the standard inari. They are unique and I wonder why nobody thought about this before. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

  7. According to serious sushi chefs the fanning is really necessary. It has something to do with the evaporating vinegar coating each grain of rice. This process should also be done using something called a hangiri. This “tub” made of some kind of wood gives the rice a nice aroma.

  8. Haha.I can never resist ordering these at AYCE places even though I know it’s cheap and filling and easy to make. They remind me of my childhood.

  9. Ah, Philly. I live near Valley Forge and always have.

    I’ve always wanted to try my hand at inari. They just look soooo good. Probably not the healthiest option, but now that they look so easy…

  10. love Mitsuwa! these look yummy and remind me of Cham tofu pockets now I’m hungry!

  11. I haven’t had these in ages! So glad I can make these at home. It’s a real money-saver!

  12. Thank you for this recipe. I have not had this dish since I lived in Okinawa back in the 80’s. I always wanted to learn how to make this sushi.
    Thanks.

  13. Love these but next time you make it consider adding some cubed and boiled carrots…you cannot believe how much tastier they become (if such a thing is possible)

  14. Thanks for the recipe! It’s on quite a few different websites…but you have pictures and that automatically makes that the best one yet! Thank you! I’ll now live off these!

  15. I love them but where did you bought the tofu pouches? I live in LA ,CA and i have no idea where to buy them.

  16. Daisy Mitsuwa Marketplace (multiple locations) carry the pouches. I’m sure other Japanese grocery stores would too. It’s a fairly common product. Good luck!

  17. I was very very astonished to look at the pictures. They are completely upside down of esatern Japanese inari-zushi! Of course I see, foreign people wouldn’t see they are sushi if making in Japanese way. Recipe itself is perfect!

  18. When we lived in Okinawa during the late 70’s this was my favorite Okinawian treat. When we were transfered to the Chicago area in the 80’s. When visiting China Town in the city we saw these treats in a food display window. For the 3 1/2 years we were there we had anari and it was exactly like Okinawa. Going to try this
    Hope it is the same.

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Inari Sushi Recipe | Gastronomy (2024)

FAQs

What is Inari sushi made of? ›

WHAT IS INARI SUSHI? Inari sushi, or inarizushi, is a simple dish of sushi rice stuffed in seasoned fried tofu pouches. Inari sushi pouches are made by simmering deep fried tofu pockets in a mix of sugar, soy sauce, sake, mirin and dashi.

Are Inari pockets healthy? ›

Inari sushi is when fried tofu pockets are filled with vinegared rice. Today, we wanted to offer a low-carb but protein-packed option. The best thing about this inari sushi is that it is full of healthy, nutritious goodies.

Why is Inari so sweet? ›

Sugar – You'll need sugar to balance the salty flavor from soy sauce, but feel free to adjust the amount. Mirin – It adds mild sweetness and umami.

What kind of fish is Inari? ›

Inarizushi is made from Aburaage. Aburaage is deep fried tofu skin (it's actually deep fried twice- once at about 225 °F, and then again at about 400 °F) that is marinated with a sweet seasoning (recipes vary).

Is Inari made of egg? ›

Inari-zushi is made by taking thinly cut fried tofu known as "abura-agé," seasoning it to make it sweet and salty, and then filling it with sushi rice. It's such a familiar food that Japanese people affectionately call it "o-inari-san."

Is Inari supposed to be crunchy? ›

Essentially, it comprises a tofu pocket that has been cooked in dashi broth to absorb the flavor, before being squeezed (to remove excess liquid) and stuff with sushi rice. The pockets are then fried so that the outer layer is wonderfully crispy. The dish gets the name 'Inari' from a Japanese god of the same name.

Why is Inari so good? ›

Made of inari age (seasoned deep fried tofu pouches) stuffed with tangy sushi rice, inari zushi resembles a golden brown pillow. The inari age gives this dish a sweet and slightly salty flavour, and it's spongy texture contrasts the chewiness of the rice.

Do you eat inari hot or cold? ›

It is very simple and consists of only two ingredients — deep fried tofu 'pockets' and sushi rice. That's it! The 'pockets' may sound weird, but they are delicious. They can be bought at any Asian market and are found in the fridge section — they are kept cold and served cold.

Why is it called inari sushi? ›

Inarizushi is named after inari shrines found all across Japan, which are dedicated to the shinto god for fertility, rice, agriculture. The messengers to these deities are said to be foxes and according to folklore, their favorite food is inari.

What does inari mean in Japanese? ›

Name of Deity

“Inari” is short for “Ine nari” or “Ine ni naru” (reaping of rice). It is a word from ancient Japanese in which rice, the main food sustaining Japanese people's lives, symbolizes the miracles of heaven and earth.

What do you put on top of inari? ›

Inari can be eaten in the plain form (no toppings, just the tofu pouch, and rice). This basic form is tasty and simple, but I prefer them with toppings. The toppings for inari sushi can really be anything such as meat, seafood, veggies, fruit, and more.

How do you eat inari? ›

How Do You Eat Inari Sushi? Since this sushi is already nicely packed in little pouches, it is exceedingly easy to eat on the go without having to fear making a mess! You can eat it either with your hands or chopsticks, adding soy sauce only if you'd like – the aburaage already carries a lot of flavor.

Why is Inari a fox? ›

According to myth, Inari, as a goddess, was said to have come to Japan at the time of its creation amidst a harsh famine that struck the land. "She [Inari] descended from Heaven riding on a white fox, and in her hand she carried sheaves of cereal or grain. Ine, the word now used for rice, is the name for this cereal.

Is Inari Japanese or Korean? ›

Inari, in Japanese mythology, god primarily known as the protector of rice cultivation. The god also furthers prosperity and is worshiped particularly by merchants and tradesmen, is the patron deity of swordsmiths and is associated with brothels and entertainers.

What does inari taste like? ›

Inari sushi, or inarizushi, is stickier in texture than traditional sushi and tastes sweet, vinegary, and salty, all at the same time. Some people like myself and my mother love it, while others – Ben I'm looking at you – prefer to skip it.

What is the outside of inari made of? ›

Inari skin is made from Aburaage, which is deep-fried silken tofu.

Does inari sushi have fish? ›

Inarizushi is made by stuffing a slightly-sweetened mix of sushi rice and black sesame seeds into paper-thin, soft pouches made of fried tofu.

Is Inari sushi raw? ›

Inari sushi or Inarizushi is a little pocket of fried tofu stuffed with a slightly sweet, seasoned rice. It's the ultimate Japanese snack that has no raw ingredients and is easy to make at home.

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