A blue bowl filled with a prawn ceviche with lotus root crisps on the side

Nikkei aguachile

Name: Nikkei aguachile
Total time: 45 min
Yield: Serves 8 as a starter
Cuisine: Japanese, Mexican
Ingredients: 400g frozen raw king tiger prawns defrosted, peeled, tails removed; 160ml (about 4 large limes) lime juice; 60ml yuzu juice (available in Japanese grocers) or substitute with an equal blend of lime, lemon and tangerine juices; 2 cloves garlic; 60g coriander; 2 green jalapeños sliced in half lengthwise; ½-1 bird’s-eye or green rocket chilli sliced in half lengthwise; 1 tbsp fish sauce; 60ml mirin; 1 tbsp granulated sugar; ¼ tsp red onion very thinly sliced; 1 tbsp white wine vinegar; 150g cucumber thinly sliced with a mandoline; micro coriander; extra-virgin olive oil; lotus root crisps or tortilla crisps

Luiz Hara

Published: January 12, 2022 at 4:48 PM

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Serves 8 as a starter

Easy

Total time: 45 mins

+ marinating

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Try this Nikkei version of a Mexican classic. Luiz Hara's prawn aguachile is aromatic with yuzu juice, with punchy, zingy notes from the green dressing. Serve with lotus root crisps for an impressive starter

Gluten free

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This recipe for Nikkei aguachile is inspired by Nikkei cuisine, a style of cooking which applies Japanese techniques and styles to South American ingredients and dishes, especially in countries such as Peru and Brazil. It was created by Japanese people who migrated to South America in the 19th and 20th centuries. For more of this cuisine, try Luiz Hara's beef picanha yakiniku and daigaku imo. Looking for a classic version? Check out our Mexican-style aguachile.

Recipe writer Luiz Hara says: Aguachile translates as ‘chilli water’ and is Mexico’s answer to the Peruvian ceviche. I loved this dish when I tried it for the first time at Contramar, an incredibly popular restaurant and a bit of an institution in Roma, one of Mexico City’s most fashionable neighbourhoods. I liked it so much I visited the restaurant three times in a week, making copious notes of this dish on every visit.

This is my Nikkei version which I developed for the supper club where I added the more aromatic Japanese yuzu juice in combination with the traditional lime, plus a dash of fish sauce and mirin for an Asian take on this Mexican classic.

The leche de tigre (marinade/dressing) should be vibrantly green, punchy, spicy and zingy. You can add slices of raw seabass or seabream fillet as well as raw scallop in combination with the prawns – however, the prawns should be the mainstay. If using fresh prawns, they should be shelled, deveined and thoroughly frozen prior to using in this recipe to kill any parasites.

Ingredients

Nutrition

400g frozen raw king tiger prawns

defrosted, peeled, tails removed

AGUACHILE DRESSING

160ml (about 4 large limes) lime juice
60ml yuzu juice

(available in Japanese grocers) or substitute with an equal blend of lime, lemon and tangerine juices
2 cloves garlic
60g coriander
2 green jalapeños

sliced in half lengthwise
½-1 bird’s-eye or green rocket chilli

sliced in half lengthwise
1 tbsp fish sauce
60ml mirin
1 tbsp granulated sugar

GARNISHES

¼ tsp  red onion

very thinly sliced
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
150g cucumber

thinly sliced with a mandoline
micro coriander
extra-virgin olive oil
lotus root crisps or tortilla crisps

Nutrition: per serving

kcal77
fat0.6g
saturates0.1g
carbs8g
sugars6.1g
fibre0.8g
protein9.6g
salt1.5g

Method

step 1

Slice the prawns in half lengthways, removing any residual veins or tails. Put in a shallow glass or plastic container.
step 2

Whizz all the dressing ingredients, plus 1 tsp of fine sea salt, in a powerful blender until completely smooth. Pour over the prawns and leave them to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
step 3

Thinly slice the red onion, put it in a bowl and season generously with salt. Pour in just enough water to cover the onions. Add the white vinegar and let it brine for 15-30 minutes, then drain.
step 4

Gently mix the cucumber slices into the prawns, together with two-thirds of the onions, then leave to marinate for an additional 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
step 5

When ready to serve, check for seasoning, adding more salt if necessary. Pile the prawn and cucumber mixture into the middle of eight bowls and drizzle the dressing around. Scatter the remaining red onions and micro coriander over the top, finishing with a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with the lotus root crisps on the side.

Find more prawn starter recipes

Authors

Luiz Hara

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