Celebrate Health, Growth and Happiness of Children by Making Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi) Inari Sushi 

Vegan, Gluten Free, Unique and Fun Sushi Idea

The Inari sushi is truly a family favourite! It’s simply deep fried tofu pockets filled with sushi rice. Definitely one of the easiest sushi to make, since there is no sushi rolling skills or cutting required! We took the traditional Inari and made it into a fun, healthy party dish.

This particular dish was prepared for Children’s Day, a National holiday in Japan. Every year on May 5th, families celebrate the health, growth and happiness of children. Each household fly the “koinobori” banners in the shape of a carp (type of fish) for each child in their home. It symbolizes determination and vigor, overcoming all obstacles to swim upstream. In addition, samurai warrior figures and samurai kabuto helmets are also displayed in hopes to inspire true strength and bravery.

If you wish to make original Inari sushi, please follow the same instructions, minus the last decorative part. Either way, this is a dish that will wow your family and friends!

Makes approximately 6-8 pieces

Cook/Prep time: 30 minutes after rice is cooked

Ingredients for the Sushi Rice

• 1 c Short grain Brown Rice (white is fine too) (Cooked according to directions on package)
  • *Tip- if you’d like to add nutrients, depth, and flavour to your sushi rice, try cooking it with a piece of dried sea kelp.
• 1 1/2 tbsp Rice Vinegar (apple cider vinegar is ok too)
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Sugar of choice

Directions for making Sushi Rice

1. Cook rice according to instructions
2. In a small bowl add vinegar, salt and sugar. Mix well until sugar and salt dissolve in the vinegar
3. Once rice is cooked, put the hot rice into a shallow bowl and pour the vinegar mixture over the rice
4. Use a “shamoji” or wooden spatula to cut strokes into the rice while the other hand fans the rice in order to cool it as quickly as you can (this prevents the rice from becoming mushy)

Ingredients for preparing the Abura Age (fried beancurd)

• 1 pkg Abura age (fried beancurd)
• 1/4 c Water
• 1 tbsp Tamari Shoyu
• 1 tbsp Mirin
• 1 tbsp Sugar of choice
• 2 tsp Konbu dashi granules

Preparing the Abura Age (fried beancurd)

1. Cut abura age in half
2. Take the oil out by boiling once quickly
3. Pat dry
4. Place the rest of the ingredients in a flat pan along with the abura age, heat on low for 10 minutes or until they’ve soaked the sauce. Make sure to flip over occasionally
5. Set aside to cool

Assembly of the Children’s a Day Inari Sushi 

1. Open each abura age gently, fold edges in slightly and fill with sushi rice keeping the pocket open and facing up
2. Repeat and line up all the sushi on a plate
3. Prepare vegetables for scales, tail, eyes of the fish by using small cookie cutters *For this particular dish we used cucumbers, carrots, radish, red and yellow peppers, nori and smoked tofu for the eyes. However, please feel free to use whatever you prefer or have in the fridge!
4. Place the prepared veggies on the Inari to make cute fish

*If you wish to make a regular Inari Sushi, simply open each abura age gently and place rice into them. Close at the bottom and plate!

Make sure you take a look at our other sushi recipes including One Cup Sushi and Temari Sushi,