Chicken Katsu Rice Burger by Joan
I was intrigued by the rice burger I had in a Japanese hamburger chain many years ago. Since my son likes rice and my daughter likes burgers, I thought this was a perfect combo to prepare for them. The kids love it and it’s definitely going to be in the family menu permanently!
Rice Buns
2 cups short grain rice, cooked
Seasoning A
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp seaweed flakes
¼ tsp sesame oil
¼ tsp salt
Seasoning B
1 tbsp sesame oil
½ tsp soy sauce
Chicken Katsu
1 boneless chicken chop
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp corn flour
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup bread crumbs
Cooking spray or oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fillings & Condiments
Lettuce Mix
Kimchi
Korean roasted seaweed snack
Directions:
Rice Buns
Scoop cooked rice into a mixing bowl, add Seasoning A, and mix well. Set aside.
Prepare a piece of cling wrap, scoop a generous amount of the seasoned rice, and place it onto the cling wrap.
Wrap the rice and gently mold it into a bun shape. Let the rice buns rest for about 5 minutes.
Remove the cling wrap and brush the top of the rice buns with Seasoning B. Grill the seasoned side on low heat until lightly crusted. While it is on the pan, brush the top with Seasoning B, turn it over, and grill it until lightly crusted.
Repeat for the remaining buns.
Remove the grilled buns from the pan and set aside.
Chicken Katsu
Place flour, beaten egg, and bread crumbs into 3 separate shallow plates.
Pound chicken, and season it with salt and pepper.
Coat the chicken with flour, and shake off the excess. Dip it in the eggs, and then coat it with bread crumbs. Gently press to ensure the chicken chop is well-coated. Repeat the process once again.
Place the coated chicken into an air fryer, and spray or brush the chicken lightly with some cooking oil.
Air-fry at 195 °C for about 25 minutes, until golden brown (Adjust the temperature as needed and check halfway through).
Remove chicken from the air fryer, and cut it into 2 pieces.
Assembling:
Place a lettuce leaf onto the bottom rice bun, and top with a piece of the chicken katsu.
Add a piece of seasoned seaweed snack and some kimchi.
Top with another rice bun, and serve.
Chef’s Notes:
Air fryer settings may differ depending on the model.
If you like mayonnaise, you can spread it on the rice buns, before assembling.
Feel free to substitute with store-bought chicken katsu. Heat it up in an oven or air fryer before use.
For uniformed rice buns, you may mold them using round-shaped empty cans.
Wrapping the rice burgers with burger wrappers gives extra support and makes them easier to eat.
