Uncover the deliciousness of Japanese eggplants with our greatest recipes! Fan favorites embrace soy-glazed eggplant rice bowls, mapo eggplant, grilled eggplant with miso glaze, nasu agebitashi, and extra.

If I needed to identify one vegetable that will get me actually excited, it will be the mighty Japanese eggplant! Like many individuals, I wasn’t into this nightshade till later in life, however I’ve grown to savor its many outstanding qualities.

By themselves, Japanese eggplants don’t have a lot taste, however when cooked and seasoned correctly, they will soak up nearly any style. Their sturdy but spongy texture makes them fairly distinctive. The meaty texture additionally makes them a terrific possibility for vegan and vegetarian dishes. That’s what I like about cooking with Japanese eggplants. Let’s get to know them at the moment!

What are Japanese Eggplants?

• Japanese eggplants, often known as nasu (generally referred to generically as lengthy Asian eggplants), are acknowledged by their lengthy, slender physique with deep purple shade.
• Because of their lengthy form and skinny pores and skin, Japanese eggplants cook dinner a lot sooner and soak up flavors extra shortly than common large-sized eggplants. They’re additionally much less bitter and have a velvety, nearly melt-in-your-mouth texture as soon as cooked. Plus, they require much less oil than common eggplants.
• The finest substitute for Japanese eggplant is Chinese language eggplant. Each belong to the identical Asian cultivar, however Japanese eggplants are inclined to have a deeper, nearly black-purple colour. Should you can’t discover both, different small eggplant varieties, like Italian eggplant, are good options.
• There are various methods to get pleasure from Japanese eggplants: grilling, steaming, deep-frying, pan-frying, simmering, and extra. Attempt them in a wide range of recipes, together with Japanese, different Asian, or Western-style dishes.

To present you some scrumptious concepts, we’ve gathered the easiest Japanese eggplant recipes which are effectively examined and liked by our readers. We hope you get pleasure from them too!

Our Greatest Japanese Eggplant Recipes

1. Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi

This vegetarian rice bowl options crispy, pan-seared eggplant slices smothered in a tremendous candy soy sauce. The simplicity of the dish highlights all that eggplant has to supply.

‘This was completely scrumptious. Crunchy, salty, and candy. It got here collectively in a short time. The very best part- it doesn’t require a ton of substances that aren’t already within the pantry. Will certainly be making this one once more.’ – Mae

2. Ginger Pork Rolls with Eggplant

Just like bacon roll-ups, this Japanese model makes use of thinly sliced pork. The rolls are full of eggplant and pan-fried till golden brown earlier than being coated with a sweet-savory sauce. For an additional zing, prime the ginger pork rolls with shiso leaves (or with mint and Thai basil). It’s homey, tasty, and pairs splendidly with rice.

‘That is truthfully one in all—if not —finest issues I’ve ever tasted. I adopted this recipe intently and it paid off.’ – Kennedy

3. Eggplant Agebitashi (Nasu Agebitashi)

On this recipe, the standard of the eggplant is accentuated by deep frying after which soaking it in a lightweight savory broth manufactured from dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. Often called nasu agebitashi, this distinctive Japanese cooking methodology presents eggplant in a brand new gentle. Serve it as a facet dish to enhance your Japanese or Asian meal.

‘I made this for dinner this night. It was excellent! The daikon and ginger condiments are superb.’ – Debbie

4. Mapo Eggplant (Mapo Nasu)

Barely spicy and extremely flavorful, this mapo eggplant (mabo nasu) is an adaptation of Chinese language delicacies that’s highly regarded in Japan. Served over scorching steamed rice, it makes for a satisfying weeknight meal!

‘My husband and I like this dish! I’ve been making it often because you first posted it, and we by no means get uninterested in it. I do change it up on occasion; relying on what I can discover on the Mitsuwa- final evening I added in stir-fried negi and thick slices of Shitaki mushrooms. Scrumptious!’ – Barbara

5. Miso Pork & Eggplant Stir-Fry

Eggplant and pork make a scrumptious, protein-rich stir-fry! The savory miso sauce ties every little thing collectively. For a closing contact, sprinkle with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

‘My 85-year previous mom mentioned that it reminded her of the eggplant with miso that her mom made for her when she was a toddler.’ – Gayle 

6. Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings with Eggplant)

Fancy a weekend cooking challenge that can transport you to the streets of Japan? Attempt these Oyaki dumplings, a preferred snack from Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. You need to use numerous fillings, however I particularly love those full of eggplant. They’re creamy, tender, and bursting with savory taste.

‘I had by no means heard of oyaki in my Asian dumpling explorations earlier than. However I’m glad I discovered it – these are terrific! I whipped up 15 every of the eggplant and kabocha oyaki on brief discover for a potluck and wasn’t in a position to supply buckwheat flour or shiso in time. Even so, they had been some tasty dumplings.’ – Todd

7. Miso Glazed Eggplant

When unsure, you’ll be able to at all times depend on this straightforward Miso Glazed Eggplant recipe. The eggplants are first glazed with an umami miso combination after which grilled till crispy on the skin whereas retaining a creamy texture on the within. Simply quarter-hour is all you want for a terrific vegetable facet!

‘I actually love Japanese tradition and meals. I make this rather a lot. It’s a incredible recipe.’ – Lucila

8. Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti 

Decided to transform eggplant skeptics? This Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti will flip them into instantaneous followers. The pasta dish combines deeply flavored tomato meat sauce with crispy panko-crusted eggplant in probably the most delicious and comforting method.

‘Tried this tonight, and it was scrumptious! Cheated just a little on the sauce, used Rao’s, and added Italian sausage and herbs. Subsequent time, will make it from scratch.’ – Kuulei

9. Eggplant Unagi Donburi

You received’t consider this hearty, savory rice bowl with unagi eel and eggplant can come collectively in simply half-hour!

‘As a substitute of unagi we used mackerel since unagi is absolutely costly in our nation. I Simply should say, this recipe was superb! A lot taste! That is undoubtedly one to be made on a repeat.’ – Miki

Japanese Ingredient Substitution: In order for you substitutes for Japanese condiments and substances, click on right here.

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Writer: Namiko Hirasawa Chen

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