Hawaiian Bigeye tuna tower with sesame wonton crisps is an elegant recipe created to impress. Bold flavors of delicious fish with the crunchy baked spiced crackers will leave you wanting more! This post is sponsored by Luxe Gourmets.
Are you looking for an easy and elegant appetizer to wow your guests? I’ve got a beautiful Bigeye tuna tower recipe inspired by the Hawaiian Islands that is made to impress. Using just a few simple techniques, you can create a dish that looks like it could be served at a fine dining restaurant.
This tuna tower is one recipe that we love to order whenever we go out for date night. The first time I tasted something like this was at Roy’s in Waikiki. It was so light a delicious! I couldn’t wait to recreate a version to share with you.
The key ingredient is using the highest quality fresh Grade #1 Bigeye tuna from Luxe Gourmets that is served at Michelin star restaurants, yet it can be delivered right to your front door! Bigeye tuna is one of the most popular tuna species in Hawaii, which they call “chill” and after you taste this delicacy, you’ll know why!
Bigeye tuna has a wonderful mild flavor and tender texture. It’s perfect for sashimi or tossed in savory ingredients like for this tuna tower. You can even apply a sesame crust and lightly sear it or soak in a marinade and cook it all the way through for a heartier dish. The versatility of Bigeye tuna allows you to get creative in the kitchen with endless tasty options.
Delicate, crisp and irresistibly addicting. These are the EASIEST wonton crackers you will ever make, and probably the tastiest. The best part is that they are baked! I’ve always fried wonton wrappers to top on salads, or as crisps. For this recipe, I decided to minimize the oil needed by baking them. These came out so good, trust me!
One side gets a light spray of oil of your choice on one side. Then the other takes a little bit of egg white brushed on top to help the spices and sesame seeds stick better to the surface. In under 10 minutes, you’ll have the tastiest little wonton crisps to nosh on. I could seriously eat a whole tray, but it’s even better with the tuna! I’m all for edible silverware, how about you?
The bold flavors of the delicious tuna enjoyed with these crunchy spiced wonton crisps will leave you wanting more. Will you be nice and share?
This easy appetizer will start any gathering off right! Premium quality tuna, paired with island-inspired ingredients and flavors makes for just the right dish to get your guests to congregate and enjoy together. What will you serve for your main course? I may go with some sesame crusted hamachi with soba noodle salad, as it pairs perfectly with the ahi tuna, yum!
More Seafood recipes you might like
- Easy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowls
- Sesame Crusted Ahi with Soy Ginger Sauce
- Seared Ahi with Sesame Green Beans
What is the best way to prepare fresh or frozen Bigeye Tuna?
The most important thing is food safety when handling and consuming raw fish. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind for the best experience. Make sure to purchase from a reputable company that carries sushi-grade tuna. When you are ready to prepare your sashimi, one of the safest ways is to thaw the fish completely in refrigerated conditions. If frozen, I transfer the vacuum-packed tuna from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before if I’m planning to serve. I like to buy disposable gloves when preparing and cutting raw fish also to reduce the risk of any contamination. Fresh or frozen, remove the fish from the packaging to a clean surface, pat dry with clean paper towels and keep covered and chill until ready to serve. Consume defrosted fish within 36 hours and do not refreeze.
Tuna Tower with Baked Wonton Crisps
Ingredients
Wonton Crisps
- 10 wonton wrappers, square, cut in half into triangles
- vegetable oil spray
- 2 egg whites
- kosher salt, as needed
- black pepper, as needed
- togarashi, as needed (optional)
- ¼ cup white sesame seeds
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds
Cucumber Mango Layer
- ½ cup cucumber, diced, ¼-inch cubes
- ½ cup mango, diced, ¼-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- ½ cup microgreens
Bigeye Tuna Layer
- 1 cup bigeye tuna, cut into ½-inch cubes, 8 ounces
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon sriracha
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or tamari
- ½ teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons chives, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons rice wine vinegar
Sriracha Sauce
- ¼ cup sriracha
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, or plain greek yogurt
Wasabi Sauce
- 2 tablespoons wasabi
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise, or plain greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
Wonton Crisps
- Place oven racks in the center position and preheat to 375°F. Line two baking sheet trays with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a small bowl combine white and black sesame seeds, set aside.
- Cut 10 wontons in half to create triangle shapes. Place the triangles on the baking sheets, about 1 to 2 inches apart. Lightly spray the wontons with vegetable oil and then flip over. Lightly brush the top side of the wontons with egg whites.
- Season with a little bit of salt, pepper, togarashi, and sesame seeds to coat the surface of each wonton evenly.
- Bake one sheet at a time, 8 to 9 minutes, rotating halfway through. When crispy and golden brown in color, cool on the sheet until ready to use.
- Bake and cool the next tray the same as directed for the first batch. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Cucumber Mango Layer
- In a medium-sized bowl combine diced cucumber, mango, and cilantro. Cover and place in refrigerator.
Bigeye Tuna Layer
- In a separate medium-sized bowl add diced tuna, sesame oil, sriracha, soy sauce, ginger, chives, and rice wine vinegar. Cover and place in refrigerator.
Sriracha Sauce
- In a small bowl combine sriracha and mayonnaise or yogurt. Set aside.
Wasabi Sauce
- In a small bowl combine wasabi, mayonnaise or yogurt, and water. Set aside.
Tuna Tower Assembly
- In a 3-inch round ring mold (3-inches tall) placed in the center of a plate, begin to build the tower layers. Add 6 tablespoons of the cucumber mango layer. Lightly press down with the back of a spoon to even and compact.
- Add 6 tablespoons bigeye tuna on top of the cucumber mango layer. Lightly press down to make a compact layer. This should yield about a 2 ½ inch high tower.
- Transfer plate with the tower to the freezer to allow the layers to set for about 15 to 20 minutes, this will help the tower stay together better. Do not leave in the freezer for longer than 20 minutes.
- Transfer to the refrigerator if not eating right away, the tower can be made up to 3 hours ahead of time when refrigerated. Make a second tower if desired, repeating the same steps.
- Before unmolding, if you see any liquid seep from the bottom of the mold (from the cucumber layer), use a paper towel to soak up and clean.
- While the tower is still in the mold, place half of the thinly sliced avocado on top of the tuna. Slowly remove the mold, then add the microgreen on top. Decorate the plate with some sriracha and wasabi sauce as desired.
Equipment
Notes
- If you do not have a 3-inch ring mold, you can use 2 other methods:
- Use a 3-inch round biscuit cutter and a 4-inch high piece of clear plastic acetate (bakers use these for mousse cakes) and place the acetate inside the mold to give you more height to fill.
- Use a 1 cup measuring cup; add the tuna layer first, and then a cucumber mango layer. Add ¼ cup of each layer instead of 6 tablespoons. Refrigerate or freeze (20 min), then flip over and unmold when ready to serve, top with avocado and microgreens.
- The recipe makes 2 poke towers. If you only want to make 1 tower, cut the recipe in half.
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Tried this recipe?
Tag @jessica_gavin on Instagram. I'd love to see how it turns out!
Judy says
That looks beautiful. We could never afford that tuna but it gives me ideas for making other things in round stacks. I do appreciate the link to the tuna and other things you use though. You never know. Thank you for another lovely recipe that feeds the eyes and the body.
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you SO much Judy! This tuna is certainly a treat since it is of highest quality, but it is so worthwhile and the best bigeye tuna i’ve ever had 🙂 Yes, you could absolutely used the stacking technique for many different kinds of recipes, let your imagination run wild!
Scarlett says
Sorry Jessica, at 59.00 per lb this puts me out of the market. I wouldn’t/couldn’t even pay that much for the choicest beef.
I like Asian recipes, just not all the time.
You are a wonderful creative chef however, and I know we all appreciate your lovely and vibrant recipes.
Jessica Gavin says
I totally understand Scarlett, this tuna is definitely of premium quality and a treat. It is absolutely the best bigeye tuna I’ve ever had! However I’m sure you could find some more affordable options of sushi grade ahi tuna at your local grocery store so you can still enjoy the recipe 🙂 Thank you for your kind comment, I love sharing recipes with you!
Debra Sidebottom says
You have me excited for my birthday in September since I just showed this to the husband and told him it’s what I want for part of my birthday dinner. Every once in a while we like to splurge on some great tuna like this. Thank you for sharing…I can’t wait!
Jessica Gavin says
You absolutely should treat yourself to this luxurious fish Debra! I’m so happy that you will get to try it for your birthday 🙂 When is the big day? Mine is on the 28!
Amber says
Wow. Beautiful and i bet it tastes delicious!!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you Amber! Yes, it is so yummy, especially with the crispy wontons 🙂
Esther Rosenbloom says
how many towers does this recipe make? is it one to share for 8 servings?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Esther! One tower could serve about 4 people and the recipe makes 2 towers.
Christene says
It says it serves 8 people. Which means that each person gets served 1 tower. Is this correct? I have made several towers for dinner parties and they aren’t shared, everyone gets a tower.
Jessica Gavin says
Great question Christene! The recipe makes 2, 3-inch wide towers, each with about 4 servings as a shared appetizer. You can make 4 smaller towers, or double the recipe to make more. Thanks!
Kenny says
Hey Jessica! I made this last night and it was wonderful. I did want to point out. a mistake with the round size though from your instructions. In the directions for “Tuna Tower Assembly” it states: “In a 4-inch round ring mold (3-inches tall)”. When I laid down 6 tablespoons of the mango mix inside my 4-inch round, I immediately new it wasn’t going to work. Now, based on your response above, I believe it should have stated “In a 3-inch round…”.
No worries, I doubled the amount of everything and it made a very large, picture-perfect tower. The wife was impressed. If you correct the instructions, feel free to delete my response. 🙂
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks for the feedback Kenny, I updated the recipe. Thanks!
Jerome Calderone says
Thank You for this recipe I wowed my wife with it using ahi tuna we brought back to Florida from Pike Place Market (yes the fish tossing guys) I think this is now the favorite thing I make for her thanks to you.
Jessica Gavin says
Wow, that sounds lovely! What a fun food adventure, I’m so happy you go to share it with your family. Happy to hear your wife enjoyed the recipe!
Maureen says
This is a wonderful recipe and so pretty. I am making it tonight. We are in Puerto Vallarta , Mexico For the winter and today I scored a lovely piece of ahi. Won’t even tell you how inexpensive it was! This is the third time I have made it by the way! A real “keeper”.