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Shrimp Tempura Sushi Bake

Michelle
A fun, family-friendly sushi bake with seasoned rice, creamy spicy crab, and crispy shrimp tempura drizzled with spicy mayo and eel sauce.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dishes
Servings 6

Equipment

  • 8x8-inch baking dish
  • Parchment paper
  • Rice cooker or saucepan with lid
  • Small bowl (for rice seasoning)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife + cutting board
  • Sheet pan or air fryer basket (for tempura shrimp)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups uncooked sushi rice short-grain
  • 2 1/2 cups water or as directed for your rice
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 –4 tablespoons furikake seasoning
  • 1 –2 sheets nori crushed (or 2 tablespoons nori flakes)
  • 10 –12 ounces imitation crab kani, shredded
  • 4 ounces cooked shrimp chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup Kewpie mayonnaise or regular mayo
  • 3 ounces cream cheese softened (optional but recommended)
  • 1 –2 tablespoons sriracha to taste
  • 1 –2 tablespoons soy sauce optional
  • 2 green onions thinly sliced (reserve some for topping)
  • Crispy Tempura + Toppings
  • 10 –12 pieces frozen shrimp tempura cooked until very crisp
  • 1/3 cup Kewpie mayonnaise for spicy mayo drizzle
  • 1 –2 tablespoons sriracha for spicy mayo drizzle
  • 2 –3 tablespoons eel sauce unagi sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 –4 tablespoons tobiko or masago optional
  • 1 –2 tablespoons nori flakes optional
  • Nori sheets or roasted seaweed snack sheets
  • Soy sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang for lifting and clean slicing.
  • Rinse the sushi rice until the water runs mostly clear. Cook the rice with the water in a rice cooker or on the stovetop.
  • In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until dissolved.
  • When the rice is finished, transfer to a bowl and gently fold in the vinegar mixture while warm.
  • Press the seasoned rice firmly into the prepared baking dish into an even layer. Sprinkle with furikake and crushed nori.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine imitation crab, optional chopped shrimp, 1/2 cup mayo, softened cream cheese, sriracha, soy sauce (if using), and most of the green onions.
  • Spread the creamy seafood mixture evenly over the rice.
  • Bake for 10–15 minutes, until warmed through and lightly bubbly. If you’d like a little color, broil for 1–2 minutes watch closely.
  • While it bakes, cook the frozen shrimp tempura until very crisp (air fryer or oven works best).
  • Remove the bake from the oven and immediately pile the crispy shrimp tempura on top.
  • Stir together the spicy mayo drizzle (1/3 cup mayo + 1–2 tablespoons sriracha) and drizzle over the top. Add eel sauce drizzle.
  • Finish with sesame seeds, tobiko/masago (if using), nori flakes (optional), and the reserved green onions.
  • Let rest 5 minutes, then lift out using parchment and cut into squares. Serve with nori sheets and soy sauce.

Notes

  • Press the rice firmly for clean, photo-worthy squares.
  • Add tempura shrimp after baking, so it stays crunchy.
  • Make spicy mayo mild for kids, and serve extra heat on the side.
Keyword Shrimp Tempura Sushi Bake