Inarizushi (Sushi Rice in Sweet Fried Tofu Pouches)
Local name: いなり寿司
In short: Sweet and savory fried tofu pouches stuffed with sesame-flecked vinegared rice, an easy hand-held sushi for lunchboxes and picnics. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Inarizushi is vinegared rice tucked into pouches of fried tofu that have been simmered until sweet and juicy. The name is linked with Inari shrines, whose fox messengers are said to love fried tofu. It is a favorite in lunchboxes and at picnics and festivals, and it is easy to eat with your hands. Rinsing the tofu with hot water and squeezing out extra liquid keeps the pouches flavorful without being greasy or soggy.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice until the water runs almost clear, soak for 30 minutes and drain. Cook with the 360 ml of water in a covered pot: bring to a boil, then cook 12 minutes on the lowest heat and rest off the heat for 10 minutes.
- Put the aburaage in a sieve and pour boiling water over them to rinse off the surface oil. Cool briefly, then press gently to remove the water. Cut each sheet in half and roll a chopstick over the cut sides before opening each half into a pouch.
- Simmer the pouches in the water, soy sauce, sugar and mirin with the lid slightly ajar for 15 minutes, until nearly all the liquid is absorbed. Cool, then squeeze each pouch lightly.
- Warm the vinegar, sugar and salt until dissolved. Spread the hot rice in a wide bowl, pour the vinegar over and fold with cutting strokes while fanning, until glossy and cooled to just warm.
- Fold in the sesame seeds and pickled ginger. With wet hands, shape the rice into 12 small ovals of about 60 g (2 oz).
- Fill each pouch about three-quarters full with rice, pushing it into the corners. Fold the open edge over the top to close and set the pouches seam side down.
- Serve at room temperature, or wrap and chill for a picnic.
Tips
- Do not overfill the pouches, or they split. If a pouch tears, patch it with a small piece of the leftover tofu or turn it into a rice-topped parcel.
- Ready-made seasoned inari pouches are sold in many Asian groceries. Use them in place of steps 2 and 3, and drain them lightly.
Questions and answers
Can I make inarizushi ahead of time?
Yes. Simmer the pouches a day ahead and keep them chilled in their liquid. Fill them within a few hours of serving, because cold rice goes hard.
Are inarizushi vegan?
This version is, since the tofu is simmered in water, soy sauce, sugar and mirin rather than dashi. Check that your aburaage contains no animal ingredients.
How do I stop the tofu pouches tasting oily?
Pour boiling water over them before simmering. This removes the surface oil, and the pouches then soak up the sweet soy liquid evenly.
How long does it take to make Inarizushi (Sushi Rice in Sweet Fried Tofu Pouches)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Inarizushi (Sushi Rice in Sweet Fried Tofu Pouches)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 72 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 72 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 1200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
