The Ultimate Dragon Roll Recipe
It’s no secret that I love sushi, but this roll might just be one of my favorite creations to date. This Dragon Roll is similar to an Unagi Roll, but way better. This roll is topped with BBQ eel and loaded to perfection with tempura fried shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and tobiko. The fresh flavors of the vegetables balance out the richness of the tempura and the savory flavor bomb of the BBQ eel for the ultimate combination.
Not only is this Dragon Roll delicious, but it’s filled with health benefits that you can feel great about. Let’s break down each ingredient and see the benefits each one brings to the table:
- Eel is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and packed with beneficial minerals
- Shrimp is a rich source of protein and is high in vitamins and minerals
- Avocado is high in heart-healthy fats and fiber
- Cucumber promotes hydration and is high in antioxidants
- Tobiko is high in healthy fats that protect the heart and liver
With all the incredible health benefits provided by this fresh and flavorful Dragon Roll, you can enjoy with confidence knowing that you’re providing your body with vital nutrients.
This roll may seem daunting because of the different components, but don’t stress! The steps may take some time, but they aren’t challenging. Make sure you allow plenty of time for prep so you don’t rush anything and you’ll do great. Whether you’re hosting a sushi party or making dinner for one, this mouthwatering Dragon Roll is sure to impress.
Did you say Eel?
Yes. BBQed sweet water eel. If you haven’t tried it yet please do. It would most likely arrive in a colorful packaging like this one. It is already cooked, and probably frozen or chilled. You only need to heat it up at home, but for the best result oven grill it for a few minutes.
Decoration
You can get quite creative with this roll. Next time I make it there’s going to be much more decoration going on. But for this one I simply used carrot sticks for Antennas and some Sriracha sauce for eyes. I could use Salmon Roe instead, and I’ve seen even crazier uses for eyes before. I’d really like to make one blowing fire made of spicy mayo. Next time.
The tempura
For this recipe I used tempura mix, but you can easily make tempura ‘from scratch’ with flower, water and a beaten egg. I’ll post a recipe for that as well as soon as I can.
One more thing
It’s a marathon. Dragon roll is a more complicated roll to make due to the heavy prep. Grilling the eel and frying the shrimp takes a bit of extra time so do plan ahead.
🐉 Dragon roll
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sushi rice
- 3 Nori sheets
- 18 medium size Shrimp
- ½ cup tempura
- 1 Avocado
- 1 Cucumber
- 50 gr Tobiko
- 3 BBQed Eel
Instructions
- Oven grill the BBQ eel for about 5 minutes
- Mix ½ cup tempura mix and ½ cup cold water to make tempura batter
- Dip shrimp in tempura
- Deep fry until golden, leave to cool on paper towel
- Cut a nori sheet in half, and cover with sushi rice
- Flip the nori over, and place the shrimp and avocado across the nori
- Roll it as you would an inside out sushi roll
- Place the eel on the roll. Cover with plastic tape and tighten to the roll using the sushi mat
- Cut through the plastic tape to 8 pieces. Transfer to serving plate.
- Decorate with carrot sticks for antennas and red sauce for eyes. Serve with Unagi sauce
Is Dragon Roll sushi a traditional Japanese sushi roll?
Hosomaki, Enomaki, and Futomaki are the traditional types in Osaka. Nagiri is the mainstay to enjoy the beauty of the fish. Sashimi is not sushi but common.
Avocado is a western ingredient usually found as Toro (fatty tuna belly) in the East. Think creamy texture. Uramaki (inside out roll) is a western diversion from traditional maki.
I never focused so much on what is traditional as what I like to eat. Japanese still like Uramaki. Deep fried rolls. All the crazy stuff we have done in the west to sushi. Enjoy what you like. Traditional sushi is 1-2 in gradients, sushi rice, nori, roll, 6 pieces.
i cant wait to test this out reviews on the rice was really good so I can’t wait to test this out
Freshwater eel is heavily harvested in my state but most are exported for international sale. I wish it were easier to find here because eel is my favorite!
Dragon rolls are so beautiful and delicious. I’d make them all the time if I could.
I thought making dragon roll is somewhat very difficult. You simplified the process here. I would try to make it. Thanks.
Wow! How to make dragon roll! This is really worth sharing. I can’t wait to start up.
It amazes me that all these recipes is offered for free. I’ve learnt a lot here and I will keep learning. Thanks to the Sushi pros behind this gesture.
I attended a paid seminar on how to make Dragon roll sushi after which I tried twice but I couldn’t get it properly, I was searching the net to get more information and I got to this site. Everything I need, I just got it easily and this time I was successful. This is a good initiative! Thanks.
The roll makes a single dragon that you would then slice in to 6 pieces.
I really want to make this, but I’m not sure about one thing: is a “roll” of sushi one big thing that has to be cut up into pieces, or is each of the pieces a roll?
One big thing to be cut into pieces