Battleship Sushi Recipe: Gunkan Maki with Soy Sauce Pearls

Prepare for an epic culinary clash with our Battleship Sushi recipe! This isn't your average sushi roll; we're elevating the classic Gunkan Maki with a dramatic, flavour-enhancing twist: shimmering soy sauce pearls. These perfectly spherical bursts of umami add a playful sophistication to the rich, savory filling, transforming a familiar dish into a truly unforgettable experience. Imagine the satisfying crunch of nori, the creamy texture of avocado, and the delightful pop of the soy pearls – a harmonious symphony of taste and texture.

This innovative recipe combines traditional sushi-making techniques with a modern culinary flourish, resulting in a visually stunning and incredibly delicious dish perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a special meal. Ready to embark on this culinary adventure and build your own fleet of flavour-packed Battleship Sushi? Let's dive into the step-by-step guide below!

Tools Needed

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare Soy Sauce Pearls

  • Blend soy sauce and agar agar together using a food processor or blender.
  • Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and simmer until it boils. This activates the agar agar and begins the jellifying process.
  • Quickly cool the mixture by dripping it into very cold olive oil (chilled for 20-30 minutes). This will create soy sauce pearls.
  • Once the pearls have formed, sieve them through a fine sieve and rinse with water.
Blend soy sauce and agar agar together using a food processor or blender.Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and simmer until it boils. This activates the agar agar and begins the jellifying process.Quickly cool the mixture by dripping it into very cold olive oil (chilled for 20-30 minutes). This will create soy sauce pearls.Once the pearls have formed, sieve them through a fine sieve and rinse with water.
Prepare Soy Sauce Pearls

Step 2. Assemble the Gunkan Maki

  • Mix salmon roe and masago in equal parts.
  • Cut a strip from a nori seaweed sheet.
  • Prepare a ball of sushi rice (17 grams).
  • Place the nori strip on a sushi rolling mat, mat-side inwards. Wrap the rice around the nori.
Mix salmon roe and masago in equal parts.Cut a strip from a nori seaweed sheet.Prepare a ball of sushi rice (17 grams).Place the nori strip on a sushi rolling mat, mat-side inwards. Wrap the rice around the nori.
Assemble the Gunkan Maki
  • Seal the nori by pressing a few grains of rice along the seam.
  • Add a small amount of wasabi to the inside of the rice roll.
  • Fill the roll generously with the salmon roe and masago mixture.
Seal the nori by pressing a few grains of rice along the seam.Add a small amount of wasabi to the inside of the rice roll.Fill the roll generously with the salmon roe and masago mixture.
Assemble the Gunkan Maki

Step 3. Garnish with Cucumber and Pearls

  • Cut thin, off-center slices of cucumber to avoid the seeds. Arrange three slices together.
  • Place the cucumber slices on one side of the maki roll.
  • Add soy sauce pearls on top of the cucumber.
Cut thin, off-center slices of cucumber to avoid the seeds. Arrange three slices together.Place the cucumber slices on one side of the maki roll.Add soy sauce pearls on top of the cucumber.
Garnish with Cucumber and Pearls

Read more: Chef Tom's Tuna Tataki: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Use a deep container for the olive oil to ensure the soy sauce mixture forms complete spheres.
  • Don't overmix the salmon roe and masago to avoid damaging the roe.

Nutrition

  • Calories: Insufficient data to calculate
  • Fat: Insufficient data to calculateg
  • Carbs: Insufficient data to calculateg
  • Protein: Insufficient data to calculateg

FAQs

1. Can I make the soy sauce pearls ahead of time?

Yes! Make them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They'll hold their shape and flavor perfectly.

2. What kind of sushi rice should I use?

Use short-grain Japanese sushi rice. It's crucial for achieving the right texture and stickiness for the Gunkan Maki.

3. Can I substitute the avocado filling?

Absolutely! Try other fillings like spicy tuna, shrimp, or cooked crab meat. Just be mindful of the filling's moisture content to prevent the Gunkan Maki from falling apart.


With its striking presentation and harmonious blend of flavors and textures, this Battleship Sushi recipe is sure to impress. The satisfying pop of the soy sauce pearls elevates the classic Gunkan Maki to a new level of culinary artistry. So, gather your ingredients and prepare to set sail on a delicious journey!