If you're new to making sushi, please see the Sushi Beginner's Guide before getting started! This includes guides to all the basics, FAQ, and how to source ingredients. This site focuses on Americanized/Westernized sushi, check out the Types of Sushi page to learn more!

"Dragon Roll" is a common roll name at American sushi restaurants, however this name can mean a few different things depending on where you go. Typically, a dragon roll has shrimp tempura on the inside and avocado, eel sauce, and sometimes BBQ eel (unagi) on top. I have two versions of "Dragon" rolls on this site, the original has no BBQ eel, and the "Black Dragon" has a combination of BBQ eel and avocado on top. This is the recipe for the Black Dragon Roll, the original Dragon roll recipe is linked below!

Dragon Roll

Specialty sushi roll - shrimp tempura and cucumber on the inside topped with avocado, eel sauce, and black sesame seeds.

Click to view recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Don't forget to check out the guides on Buying Fish For Sushi and Buying Other Ingredients for Sushi if you're not sure where to find what you need! I include online product links for reference, but it's typically much cheaper to purchase these items locally, so check out your local options!

BBQ Eel (Unagi)

Japanese barbecue eel (unagi) is freshwater eel that has been grilled in eel sauce (also called unagi sauce) which is a thick, sweet and savory sauce.
The eel is fully cooked, making it a great choice for anyone who is hesitant to use raw fish.
Unagi can be prepared from scratch, however the easiest option is to purchase prepared frozen unagi from a Japanese grocery store or online. It will come cooked and coated in sauce, just warm it up in the oven following the directions on the package. Allow the unagi to cool after baking before handling and using in rolls. At this time I don't have a guide to preparing unagi from scratch.
If you can't find unagi locally, there are some great options online! I recommend the unagi from Catalina Offshore Products, and you can use the code CRAFTY to save 10% on your order! (link)

Shrimp Tempura

You can purchase premade frozen shrimp tempura from an Asian grocery store or Trader Joe's.
If preparing from frozen, follow the package instructions to heat in an oven, air fryer, toaster oven, or deep fryer. (I typically prepare frozen shrimp tempura in an air fryer)
Allow the shrimp tempura to cool down for a few minutes before placing in the roll.
If desired, cut the tails off of the shrimp before placing in the roll.
Shrimp tempura can be made from scratch at home, but I don't have a guide to that at this time.

Avocado Roll Topping

Click here for a guide to making an avocado topping for sushi rolls!
This topping is made using ½ of a medium-sized avocado.
Make sure you're using a ripe (but not over ripe) avocado. I recommend picking up a hard avocado a few days prior to making sushi. You can allow the avocado to ripen on your counter, then transfer it to the refrigerator when it is perfectly ripe (this significantly slows down the ripening process).

Avocado Slices

Slice the avocado into ~¼" thick pieces. You should use about ~⅙th of a medium avocado.
It's best to use a perfectly ripe avocado if you can. Ripe avocados will be slightly soft when pressed, but not mushy.
I like to buy my avocados while they're still hard, then transfer them to the fridge once they're perfectly ripe. Avocados ripen much slower in the fridge.

Eel Sauce

You can pick up premade eel sauce at an Asian grocery store or online (link)
Eel sauce (also called unagi sauce) is a sweet and savory sauce. The name comes from its association with Japanese style barbecue eel, the sauce contains no seafood products.
You can make eel sauce yourself at home, but at this time, I don't have a guide for that on this site.

Black Sesame Seeds

You can find black sesame seeds at an Asian grocery store, some well-stocked American grocery stores, or online (link )
Black sesame seeds have a very long shelf life in the pantry, so if you stock up with a large jar it will last a very long time!
You can substitute white roasted sesame seeds or optionally omit the sesame seed topping.

Sushi rice

Sushi rice is prepared, medium grain rice that is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. The seasoning added to the rice is what give it the distinctive taste and sticky texture.
If possible, I strongly recommend picking up the proper kind of rice rather than using whatever rice you have on hand. Other varieties of rice (jasmine, basmati, etc.) will not turn out the same.
Follow my recipe for Simple Sushi Rice before you begin making your sushi. You can find more information there on locating the proper ingredients.

Nori

Nori is the seaweed wrapping used to hold together sushi rolls. After opening, store leftover nori sheets in an airtight bag at room temp with all the air pressed out to maintain freshness.
Packages of nori vary a lot in quantity and price. I've tried out a variety of brands at different price points and have been happy with all of them. I don't think you need to splurge on the more expensive brands.
A Japanese grocery store will have the widest selection of nori. You may be able to find nori in the "Asian foods" section of a large American grocery store, but you can also find nori online if needed.
Nori comes in a variety of sizes, so make sure you pick up full sheets (approximately 8"x7"). These sheets can be cut down smaller when making rolls (if desired). You can read more about this in the How to Make Sushi Rolls post.

Salmon Siren Roll (left), Eel-ectric Boogaloo Roll (middle), Black Dragon Roll (right)
Black Dragon Roll (left), Yellow Submarine Roll (middle) Snake in the Grass Roll (right)
Salmon Siren Roll (left), Eel-ectric Boogaloo Roll (middle), Black Dragon Roll (right)
Black Dragon Roll (left), Yellow Submarine Roll (middle) Snake in the Grass Roll (right)

Black Dragon Roll

Jacqueline Schell

Specialty sushi roll - shrimp tempura and avocado on the inside topped with avocado, BBQ eel (unagi), eel sauce, and black sesame seeds.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Course Sushi

Cuisine Sushi

Servings roll

Ingredients

1 full size sheet of nori cut smaller if desired
~¾ cup prepared, seasoned sushi rice

Inside Roll

2 prepared shrimp tempura
3 avocado slices (~⅙ of an avocado)

Outside Roll

¼ avocado, prepared as roll topping click for guide
~0.1 lbs prepared BBQ eel (unagi) see ingredient notes for details
eel sauce
black sesame seeds optional

Instructions

Cover the sheet of nori in a thin even layer of rice, filling all the way out to the edges. (click for guide)
Flip the sheet of nori over so the rice is face down on a bamboo rolling mat that is wrapped in plastic. (click for guide)
Arrange the fillings (shrimp tempura and avocado) in even lines, 1 inch from the edge along the longer side of the nori sheet. (click for guide)
Carefully and tightly roll up the roll. (click for guide)
Thinly slice the avocado and spread it out so it spans about half the length of the roll. Seperate the avocado into sets of ~3 slices each. Top the roll by alternating a set of avocado slices and then a piece of eel, slightly overlapping, until the whole roll is covered. (click for guide)
Place the plastic-wrapped rolling mat over the top of the roll and press the roll into a consistent shape. (click for guide)
Place the roll on a cutting board and grab your sharpest knife. Optionally, cover the roll with plastic cling wrap. Run the knife under water for a second, then shake off any excess. Cut the roll into 8 equal pieces using a gentile sawing motion with the knife, running the knife under the water between every 2-3 cuts to prevent sticking. (click for guide)
Plate the roll on your serving dish. Drizzle the eel sauce over the roll then top with the black sesame seeds. (click for guide)

Notes

If this is your first time making sushi be sure to check out the Sushi Beginner's Guide before getting started!

Keyword Avocado, BBQ Eel, Black Dragon Roll, Black Sesame Seeds, Dragon Roll, Eel, Eel Sauce, No Raw Fish, Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Sushi, Unagi

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