
Tuna. It’s definitely a fish most of us all grew up with. And if you’re anything like one of our RocketNews24 crew, P.K., then you may have grown up believing that tuna only comes from a can!
Though you may associate tuna with cans, that need not be the case. You can actually use fresh tuna in your meals, and today we’ll show you how with a simple recipe that’s sure to impress, even though it requires only five ingredients. Read on to learn how to make this delicious yet simple tuna recipe!
In Japan, canned tuna is often called “sea chicken,” since it tastes like chicken, and the name has spread thanks to Japanese food manufacturer Hagoromo Foods, who officially brand their canned tuna “Sea Chicken.”
So, in Japan, as in many other countries, most people associate tuna with something that comes in a can and is used as is rather than something to cook with. But this tuna recipe will hopefully change your mind.
Ingredients:
Two tuna steaks (raw)
Olive oil (can be substituted for vegetable oil)
Two cloves of garlic
Two bay leaves
Salt
Directions:
1. Place the tuna on a baking tray. Season the tuna all over with a good handful of salt, then let it stand for 20 minutes. This helps draw out all the moisture.
2. Pat the tuna with a paper towel to further absorb moisture.
3. Place the tuna, garlic, and bay leaves in a large saucepan, and pour in a generous amount of oil to cover the whole bottom of the pan.
4. Place on a stove and turn heat to the low-medium range. When it starts to boil, turn down to a low heat and let simmer for 20 minutes. Around halfway through, you’ll need to the turn the tuna over to cook the other side. It should look something like this:
5. Once both sides are cooked and the tuna is no longer red, turn off the heat and allow it to cool.
6. Transfer the contents of the pan to a Tupperware container. (Make sure the oil has cooled sufficiently first!)
7. Refrigerate before serving.
Our serving suggestion is a la Mount Tuna.
Delicious to the palate and incredibly easy to make, this recipe requires only minimal ingredients and the barest of cooking skills! Now, you’ll never flounder for weekday lunches again!
Of course, you can add extra flavor by seasoning with pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice or mayonnaise (or all three at once, if you’re extra adventurous) — or just sandwich it between a couple of slices of bread.
They say you can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish, but I beg to differ! With this recipe, you’re sure to hit all the right notes.
All images © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]











Eat your beans the doubly delicious way with this mushiyaki edamame recipe 【RocketKitchen】
Learn to love the taste of raw daikon with this simple recipe 【RocketKitchen】
We follow Twitter recipe to cook “coffee rice”! 【RocketKitchen】
How to cook miso soup (the right way) in a few simple steps【RocketKitchen】
Celebrate Halloween with our recipe for jack-o’-lantern nikuman steamed buns【RocketKitchen】
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Saltiest ramen in Japan? Ikebukuro White goes viral for crazy salt levels
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Don’t miss the Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia ~Summer Landscape 2026~ event during your travels
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Make your best-tasting onigiri taste even better with this easy recipe! 【RocketKitchen】
We made world-famous French toast in our office, and so can you! 【RocketKitchen】
We try making demi-glace sauce with catsup and chocolate【RocketKitchen】
We turn Japanese bamboo shoot rice dish into a delectable dessert【RocketKitchen】
We test out a new way to make fried chicken, the Prison School way 【RocketKitchen】
How to make a mouth-watering Japanese beef bowl in just five minutes 【RocketKitchen】
How to make your own Pikachu Burgers!【RocketKitchen】
Nametake tuna rice: A delicious rice cooker recipe using just three ingredients【SoraKitchen】
Don’t throw away the bones! How to make Japanese Christmas KFC soup【RocketKitchen】
We make French toast from castella cake, and it’s absolutely yums!【RocketKitchen】
We substitute mirin for sugar in pudding and then taste it ourselves 【Rocket Kitchen】
We made Sailor Jupiter’s out-of-this-world bento, and you can too! 【RocketKitchen】
How to make cheese with just three ingredients【SoraKitchen】
Tired of Holiday Leftovers? Why Not Try Some African Curry! 【Recipe】
How to make awesome glow-in-the-dark jelly shots【RocketKitchen】
How to make amazing sweet apple pancakes using a rice cooker 【RocketKitchen】
【Rocket Food】 One Piece Chicken! Cook for Monkey D. Luffy at Home Tonight with this Simple Recipe