Authentic Japanese Tekka Don Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of sushi rice
  • 2.5 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup of rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 500 grams of tuna fillet, sashimi grade
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of mirin
  • 1 tablespoon of sake
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • Wasabi, to taste
  • 1 sheet of nori seaweed, cut into thin strips
  • 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds
  • Green onions, for garnishing
  • Pickled ginger, for serving
  • Soy sauce, for serving

Steps and instructions

  1. Rinse the sushi rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Then, add the rinsed rice and 2.5 cups of water to a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for another 10 minutes.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar and salt dissolve. Pour the vinegar mixture over the cooked rice and gently fold it in to combine.
  3. Slice the tuna fillet into thin pieces.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and 1 teaspoon of sugar to make the sauce.
  5. Drizzle the sauce over the sliced tuna, and let it marinate for a few minutes.
  6. Divide the sushi rice among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with the marinated tuna slices, wasabi, nori seaweed strips, and sesame seeds.
  7. Garnish with green onions.
  8. Serve the Tekka Don with pickled ginger and soy sauce on the side.

Tools for making

Recipe variations

  • Substitute the tuna with salmon or any other type of fresh fish.
  • For a vegetarian option, replace the tuna with marinated tofu or tempeh.
  • Add avocado slices for extra creaminess.
  • Include cucumber slices or shredded carrots for added crunch.
  • Try a different type of rice, such as brown rice or quinoa, for a healthier twist.
  • For a spicier version, add some chili flakes or hot sauce to the marinade.
  • Experiment with different seasonings in the rice vinegar mixture, such as ginger or garlic.
  • Create a poke-style Tekka Don by marinating the tuna in a soy-sesame dressing instead of the sauce.
  • Include other toppings like sesame oil, pickled radishes, or sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.
  • For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Recipe overview

Tekka Don is a delightful and refreshing Japanese dish that beautifully combines the flavors of sushi rice and marinated raw tuna. This recipe will guide you to create your own Tekka Don at home. With sashimi-grade tuna, tangy sushi rice, and a sweet and savory sauce, you will be able to capture the essence of this traditional dish. The dish is then garnished with wasabi, nori seaweed, sesame seeds, and green onions for additional flavor and texture. It's served with pickled ginger and soy sauce on the side to enhance the overall experience. With our step-by-step guide, you will find this recipe easy and straightforward, bringing a slice of Japanese cuisine into your kitchen. Enjoy!

Common questions

  1. Can I use any type of rice for Tekka Don? No, it is recommended to use sushi rice for this recipe as it has the ideal texture and stickiness required for Tekka Don.
  2. Can I use frozen tuna for this recipe? It is best to use fresh, sashimi-grade tuna for Tekka Don. Frozen tuna may not have the same texture and flavor as fresh tuna.
  3. How can I ensure that the rice doesn't stick to the saucepan? Make sure to rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch. Additionally, using a non-stick saucepan or adding a bit of oil to the saucepan can help prevent sticking.
  4. Can I substitute the rice vinegar with other types of vinegar? While rice vinegar is the traditional choice for sushi rice, you may substitute it with a mild vinegar such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar if necessary.
  5. Can I add other toppings to Tekka Don? Absolutely! Tekka Don is versatile, and you can add additional toppings such as avocado slices, cucumber, or even a raw egg yolk if desired.
  6. Is it necessary to marinate the tuna? Marinating the tuna adds flavor and enhances its taste. However, if you prefer the natural taste of fresh tuna, you can skip the marination step.
  7. What can I use instead of nori seaweed? If you don't have nori seaweed available, you can omit it or substitute it with thinly sliced cucumber or radish for a crunchy texture.
  8. Can I make Tekka Don in advance? It is best to assemble and serve Tekka Don immediately after preparing it to ensure the freshness and optimal taste of the ingredients.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Cutting board - A sturdy cutting surface for slicing the tuna fillet and preparing other ingredients.
  • Chef's knife - A sharp knife for cutting the tuna fillet into thin slices.
  • Saucepan - To cook the sushi rice and prepare the vinegar mixture.
  • Small saucepan - To heat and mix the ingredients for the sauce.
  • Small bowl - To mix the ingredients for the sauce.
  • Bowls - To serve the Tekka Don.
  • Spoon - To drizzle the sauce over the tuna slices and mix the rice with the vinegar mixture.
  • Chopsticks - For serving and eating the Tekka Don.

Origin stories

Tekka Don, a decadent bowl teeming with sashimi-grade tuna over sushi rice, hails from the vibrant food culture of Japan. Its simplistic elegance belies the mastery required in its preparation - the careful balancing of flavors, the artful arrangement of shimmering ruby-like tuna slices, the harmonious marriage of textures. Tekka Don, which translates as "iron fire bowl", got its name from the gambling dens of the Edo period, called "tekkaba". These joints often served this easy-to-prepare, filling dish, thus the name 'Tekka Don'. The dish now embodies the spirit of Japanese cuisine, where respect for ingredients is paramount, and less is always more.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.