Tuna tataki is a simple Japanese dish that combines delicate, gently-seared tuna with a citrus-soy sauce given a gentle ginger kick. It's easy to make and makes a great appetizer or component to a light bento box-style meal.
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Every now and then, I get a bit of a sushi craving. Strangely, though, despite everything else I cook and that we are lucky enough to have two really good fish markets nearby, I rarely make it myself.
I'm not totally sure why since I do make things like scallop ceviche and Korean sashimi rice bowl (hoedeopbap) now and then. I suspect I'm just worried I'll never get my sushi rolling skills right. But there are, of course, other options like sashimi, and semi-raw dishes like this tuna tataki.
What is tuna tataki?
The name tuna tataki can actually refer to two different Japanese dishes. One is what I have made here, quick-seared tuna cut in slices and served with a citrus-soy sauce. The other is more like a Japanese-flavored tartare, where the tuna is diced small and mixed with typically ginger and other flavors.
I'm sure I'll attempt the latter style in due course, but in the meantime this dish is so easy and delicious, it will definitely be happening again soon.
What is the sauce with tataki?
The sauce with tataki can vary, but most use a ginger ponzu sauce. Ponzu is essentially a mix of soy and citrus. Typically, this would include local citrus like yuzu, but you can approximate the flavors using more familiar ingredients, as I have here.
Ponzu typically includes seaweed and/or dashi as well as some other additions and you boil the soy-mirin mixture together with the seaweed before straining. Here I've skipped the boiling and the seaweed to be quicker. Given there is also ginger in this version, for me there's plenty going on flavor-wise.
Tips for searing tuna
When you cook the tuna, make sure you pat the tuna dry if it seems at all moist. This saves you having too much spluttering. Also, make sure the pan is hot enough before you add the tuna to the pan. It may feel off-putting to have the oil smoking, but believe me it needs to be. The temperature will go down when you add the cold fish, so it needs to be hot enough before.
Watch the tuna closely as it cooks and only leave it a short time each side. You can sear a little more than I did here, but don't sear more than a minute each side. Let the tuna rest a couple minutes before slicing and make sure you use a really sharp knife to slice.
Tuna tataki is really easy to make, with delicate and delicious flavors. It makes a great appetizer, or combine it with other dishes like miso soup, salads and dumplings for a bento box style meal. However you have it, enjoy!
Try these other raw/almost raw dishes:
- Ceviche with potato and pea shoot salad
- Tiradito - a Peruvian fusion dish of sashimi with a lime-chili sauce
- Salmon tartare - combines salmon with capers, mustard and lemon
- Salmon poke bowl
- Plus get more inspiration in the appetizer recipes archives.
Tuna tataki
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon mirin
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 ½ tablespoon oil (for frying - peanut oil or other high smoke point/flavorless best)
- ½ lb yellow fin tuna sushi grade ideally in a square/rectangular block
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the orange juice, lemon juice, soy sauce, mirin and ginger. Set aside.
- If your piece of tuna is wider, cut it into two similar-sized pieces, ideally both square/rectangular ended and even width.
- Warm the oil in a skillet big enough for the piece of tuna over a medium-high heat until it starts to smoke slightly.
- Add the tuna to the pan and cook for no more than around 30-45 seconds each side to sear it. Remove from the pan and set aside a couple minutes.
- Using a very sharp knife, cut the tuna thinly across the grain. Arrange the slices on a larger platter or two plates to serve. Drizzle over the sauce and decorate the plate, if you like eg with slices of lemon, green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
Try these other Japanese fish dishes for Fish Friday Foodies:
- A Living Legend + Panko-Crusted Abalone Over Green Tea Soba Noodles from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Hibachi Shrimp with Yum Yum Sauce from Palatable Pastime
- Salmon Katsu for Two with Tonkatsu Sauce from Sneha's Recipe
- Temaki Sushi Hand Rolls from Sid's Sea Palm Cooking
- Yuzu Kosho Grilled Scallops with Onion Salad from Karen's Kitchen Stories
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Ed T. says
I made this recipe per instructions and it is very good. The Panzu sauce is simple and flavorful. For presentation I sprinkled small amount of sesame seeds and very finely diced chives on the seared Tuna after drizzling with Panzu sauce. For extra heat kick I added a dollop of Wasabi Avocado sauce! Very Good thank you!
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad you enjoyed, and yes a little toasted sesame seeds pair well.
Robert Heathman says
I made the recipe. I dont think I mastered it. Probably over did the sear and cubed it with on sale tuna, not choice cuts..But it looked medium rare. Should have gone more rare. Should have gotten bigger chunks, like 1" x 2" or even 3" before searing. Mine where 1x1 You can watch how much sear youre getting as it climbs up the side, then flip, then seal the sear on the other 2 sides. Ate it with rice and wasabi. It was pretty good. Ive had better seared tuna dishes from obviously better chef's than me with higher quality tuna(I ate their whole crowd platter). I rate 5 stars, because you get the picture of Tuna Tataki. It isnt a counterfeit recipe from someone who never cooked their own recipe I call a "fake mommy blogger" that have previously wrecked my life.
Caroline's Cooking says
Appreciate he comment - and I understand, it can be all too easy to sear a little more than you plan to, you do definitely need to watch and look at the side to see how it's doing.
jordi says
Looking forward to trying this.
Question: Can this be prepared a few hours before serving...I’m guessing up to and including searing it, then slicing just before serving?
Caroline's Cooking says
Yes, that should work to sear then cut later - just make sure you chill it in the fridge in between as fish shouldn't be left out for an extended period of time. You could prepare the dressing ahead as well (it doesn't need to be chilled) and then just re-mix slightly to ensure well combined before you use it. Enjoy!
colleen kennedy says
I have to make this for my sister, this is exactly how she enjoys her tuna!
Caroline's Cooking says
Perfect! Hope you both enjoy.
Ariella says
Trying this the next time I can pick up fresh tuna. Have also been meaning to make more sushi at home. So far I have better luck with deconstructed sushi dishes.
Caroline's Cooking says
Hope you enjoy it! I understand going with the deconstructed dishes, they are definitely that bit easier. This one is great as it's that little more interesting than just sashimi, but with the best of that too.
Eileen Kelly says
My tuna loving family is over the moon for this one. These flavors are bold and better than eating out.
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad to hear you enjoyed! I might be biased but I'd have to agree, I think it's at least as good as you'd find out (as long as you have a good piece of tuna, of course).
Terri says
I had this at a restaurant once and it was melt-in-your-mouth divine! I can't wait to make it at home- thanks!
Caroline's Cooking says
It really is such a lovely dish, and really pretty easy too.
Carlos says
This is a beautiful dish!
I love eating sushi, sashimi but I still haven't tried the tuna this way. I definitely should try very soon!
Caroline's Cooking says
It's definitely worth trying, a wonderful way to enjoy tuna and the sauce pairs so well.
Wendy Klik says
I want to pull that plate right through the computer and start gobbling it down.
Caroline's Cooking says
🙂 Thanks - it's so easy to make too!
Karen says
This I need to try! It's gorgeous, elegant, and sounds delicious.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thank you, it has such lovely delicate flavors.