This vegan lobster tempura maki recipe is fun to make and tastes amazing. Meaty lobster mushrooms are coated in a light tempura batter and then fried. They are paired with creamy avocado and crunchy kimchi to create a unique sushi roll that’s perfect for sushi night!
Since it doesn’t really feel like the holidays are coming, we’re not doing traditionally holiday-ish food on Friday. I tested out these sushi rolls and, they are, ::chef’s kiss:: perfectly perfect for us this Christmas. I’ll also be busy making this Mongolian “Beef“, Firecracker Cauliflower and these sweet potato tempura rolls at some point this week while watching the snow fall and feeling gratitude for what’s here and being okay with what is.
What are lobster mushrooms?
I found a decently priced package of lobster mushrooms the other day, so decided to give them a try. Lobster mushrooms are not really mushrooms—they are a fungus that grows on other mushrooms (smart or rude?) that soften up quickly in warm water and have an amazing texture. If the cost wasn’t so high, I’d be using them more in chowders and stews but, for now, they are a fun ingredient to use every now and then.
These meaty mushrooms are encased in a crispy tempura shell and paired with rich avocado and creamy+spicy kimchi mayo. It’s the perfect little bite! For more sushi recipe ideas, check these recipes out!
Spicy Carrot Lox and Avocado Sushi
Sweet Potato Tempura and Avocado Rolls
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Vegan Lobster Tempura Maki
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 rolls
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan lobster tempura maki is coated in a light tempura batter and fried. Creamy avocado and crunchy kimchi are rolled up with the mushrooms to create a unique and delicious sushi roll!
Ingredients
for the sushi rice
- 1 cup sushi rice
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
for the tempura batter + mushrooms
- 1/3 cup AP flour
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup ice cold fizzy water
- 3/4 cup dried lobster mushrooms (about 1 oz.) (reconstitute in warm water for 15–30 minutes, then chop into small pieces to make 3/4 cup)
- canola or grapeseed oil, for frying
for the kimchi mayo
- 1/4 cup chopped vegan kimchi
- 1/8 cup vegan mayo
to finish
- 4 sheets of nori
- 4 tsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 avocado, sliced thin
- a scallion (sliced thin—green part only)
- soy sauce
- pickled ginger and wasabi, if desired
Instructions
To make the sushi rice
- Place the rice and water into a rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer instructions. Once done, season with the rice vinegar, sugar and salt and set aside to cool.
To make the tempura batter + mushrooms
- Combine the AP flour, cornstarch and baking powder into a large bowl. Add in the ice-cold fizzy water and stir until smooth.
- Place several inches of oil into a small, cast iron pot (I like this one). Bring it to 350 degrees over medium-high heat. The oil will be ready to use in 5-7 minutes. You can tell when it’s ready by inserting a dry chopstick into the hot oil so it touches the bottom of the pot. If bubbles form around it immediately, you are ready to fry.
- Toss all of the mushroom pieces into the tempura batter. It will be a little goopy. Move the pieces around until they are coated all over. Drop several pieces into the hot oil, one by one, taking care not to overcrowd the pot. Allow to fry for a couple of minutes, flip with chopsticks or a skimmer and fry for a minute or two more. Place onto paper towels to drain and repeat the process with the rest of the mushrooms.
To assemble the rolls
- Divide the cooled rice into 4 portions. Slide a sushi mat into a large Ziploc bag or cover with plastic wrap. Place one sheet of nori, shiny side down, on the mat. Moisten your fingers with some water to prevent rice from sticking to them, then spread the rice evenly over the nori sheet, leaving about an inch exposed at the top. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of sesame seeds.
- With the exposed end away from you, place 4 or 5 pieces of the tempura mushrooms in a line along the side closest to you. Add a couple slices of avocado and about a tablespoon of the kimchi mayo.
- Roll the sushi away from you, gripping the mat tightly but gently. Once rolled, seal the end with water or add a few grains of rice to the end to help seal.
- Cut the sushi in half with a very sharp knife (I run the blade under scalding water for a cleaner cut), then each half into halves, then those halves into halves to make 8 pieces.
- Place onto a serving plate, repeating the process to make 4 rolls. Top with some of the sliced scallions.
- Serve immediately with the soy sauce and pickled ginger and wasabi.
Notes
This recipe will make more mushrooms and kimchi+mayo than you need, providing a little extra for snacking during prep time. The kimchi mayo is also perfect on burgers!
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Deep Fried
- Cuisine: Japanese
Keywords: vegan sushi, mushroom tempura roll, lobster mushroom, lobster mushroom tempura rolls, vegan lobster
Happy holidays, everyone! This is my last post for 2020. See you in 2021 for hopefully better times. xo
Anh says
Do you think GF 1:1 flour would be a suitable substitute?
erinwyso says
Hi Anh, yes, this kind of flour should be fine here. I hope you enjoy it!
Malinda says
What amount of dried mushroom did you use for 3/4 cups of reconstituted mushroom? I want to make this & want to make sure I order enough.
erinwyso says
Hi Malinda, it’s about 1 oz. — I just updated the recipe with this info … I hope you enjoy!