Tenmusu is a legendary Nagoya specialty: miniature triangle onigiri rice balls wrapped in crispy nori, hiding a whole golden, savory-glazed shrimp tempura inside with its tail playfully peeking out from the top.
Ingredients (Makes 4 Tenmusu)
4 pieces cooked crispy Shrimp Tempura (fresh or reheated until crunchy)
2.5 cups freshly cooked hot Japanese short-grain rice
2 sheets Nori seaweed (cut into 4 long vertical strips) & Salt for shaping
Instructions
Make savory dip sauce: Simmer dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small pan for 1 minute until a rich dipping sauce forms. Set aside.
Glaze tempura: Dip each hot crispy shrimp tempura completely into the savory dashi-soy glaze so it soaks up flavor.
Shape rice ball: Wet your hands, rub a small pinch of salt over your palms. Take about 1/2 cup of hot rice. Make a small hole, place the glazed shrimp inside diagonally, keeping the tail pointing upwards outside the rice line.
Form triangle: Gently shape the rice around the shrimp into a tight, neat triangle block, letting the tempura tail stick proudly out from the top point.
Wrap nori collar: Wrap a long strip of crispy nori seaweed vertically around the base of the triangle, securing it like a collar. Serve warm for an authentic Nagoya treat!