Go Back

Korean Tuna Mayo Rice Bowl - Simple Comfort With Big Flavor

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked short-grain rice (warm; sushi or Korean rice works best)
  • 1 can tuna (5–6 oz/140–170 g, drained; oil- or water-packed)
  • 2–3 tablespoons mayonnaise (Kewpie if you have it)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon or yellow mustard (optional but nice)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion or scallion
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice or rice vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 sheet roasted seaweed (gim/nori), crumbled
  • Kimchi (a small handful, chopped; optional)
  • 1 soft-boiled or fried egg (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon mirin (or a splash of water if not using alcohol)
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 small clove garlic, grated (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • Pinch of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) or red pepper flakes, to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the rice: Make 2 cups of warm, freshly cooked short-grain rice. If using leftover rice, reheat with a splash of water to bring back softness.
  2. Mix the tuna: In a bowl, combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, mustard, onion or scallion, and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper. It should be creamy but not runny.
  3. Make the soy drizzle: Stir together soy sauce, sugar, mirin, rice vinegar, grated garlic, and gochugaru until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Assemble the bowl: Add warm rice to a bowl. Drizzle sesame oil over the rice and fluff with chopsticks or a fork.
  5. Top it off: Spoon the tuna-mayo mixture over the rice. Add chopped kimchi if you’re using it. Pour the soy drizzle over the top, a little at a time, to taste.
  6. Finish with texture: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and crumbled roasted seaweed. Add a soft-boiled or fried egg for extra richness.
  7. Eat right away: Mix the bowl lightly so you get a bit of everything in each bite.