Temaki, a Japanese-style hand roll, is one of the easiest and most creative ways to turn leftovers into a fresh, healthy meal. In our home, it’s become a go-to for transforming last night’s rice, veggies, and protein into a quick dinner everyone loves. Temaki is fun to make, packed with flavor, and lets you use whatever you have on hand.
Today, I take the same approach—but with a bit more flavor from around the world. One of our favorite ways to use leftover rice, meat, and vegetables? Temaki, a simple and delicious Japanese-style hand roll.
What Is Temaki?
Temaki is a casual style of sushi where you roll nori (roasted seaweed sheets) into a cone and fill it with rice, protein, and fresh veggies. It’s fast, flexible, and fun—perfect for using leftovers creatively.
Start with the Right Rice
Short-grain Japanese rice works best for temaki. We recommend Nishiki rice, which you can find at Tony’s Market. If you’re a regular rice eater, a good rice cooker is worth the investment. We use a Zojirushi induction cooker, which keeps leftover rice warm and fluffy for days.
Pick Your Proteins
Temaki is incredibly versatile. Start with any of these:
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Leftover grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or salmon
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Canned tuna or salmon
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Sashimi-grade Tuna Saku or Seared Tuna Tataki (available at Tony’s)
Chop and mix with scallions, a splash of soy sauce, and a touch of mayo. Add a dash of our Taste of Tokyo Rub for that savory, umami punch.
Add Your Fillings
The key to a great temaki roll is variety and freshness. Use what you have:
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Leftover salad (carrots, radishes, peppers, cucumber, etc.)
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Fresh lettuce or zucchini strips
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Cold rice, gently warmed
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Nori sheets, cut into rectangles
Roll and Serve
Lay rice on one side of the nori, add your fillings, and roll into a cone. Don’t overfill—these are hand-held bites. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Need inspiration? Try combos like:
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Ham, pineapple, and scallion
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Chicken with grilled veggies
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Steak, bell peppers, and onions
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Seared tuna with scallion and wasabi
Temaki is flexible enough for anyone to get creative—and fun for families to build their own at the table.
Stock Up at Tony’s
Next time you’re shopping, grab:
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Nishiki rice
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Nori sheets
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Taste of Tokyo Rub
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Seared Tuna Tataki or Tuna Saku
You’ll have everything you need to turn leftovers into a healthy and satisfying Japanese-style hand roll.
Share with your foodie friends!
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