Learn the deliciousness of Japanese eggplants with our best recipes! The fans’ favorites involve soy-glazed eggplant rice bowls, mapo eggplant, grilled eggplant with miso glaze, nasu agebitashi, and extra.
If I had to name a person vegetable that can get me genuinely psyched, it has to be the mighty Japanese eggplants! But like several folks, I wasn’t into the nightshade until finally a lot later as an adult that I have grown to savor its quite a few amazing features.
By them selves, Japanese eggplants never have much of a flavor, but when cooked and seasoned correctly, they can soak up pretty much any flavors. The sturdy still spongy character also tends to make it fairly one particular-of-a-kind. The meaty texture helps make them a terrific possibility for vegan and vegetarian dishes. That’s what I love about cooking with Japanese eggplant. Let us get to know them these days!
What are Japanese Eggplants?
- Japanese eggplants are referred to as nasu (occasionally referred to generically as prolonged Asian eggplants) and they are recognized by their extensive, slender body with a deep purple shade.
- Thanks to their prolonged form and slim pores and skin, Japanese eggplants cook substantially more rapidly and soak up flavors more quickly than standard big-sized eggplant. It is also a lot less bitter and has a velvety and just about soften-in-your-mouth texture when cooked. It also does not require a great deal as oil as regular eggplant.
- The best substitute for Japanese eggplant is Chinese eggplant. Both equally eggplants belong to the same Asian cultivar but the major variation is the Japanese eggplant tends to have a further, pretty much black-purple coloration. If you just cannot discover both of those eggplants, then other modest eggplant kinds, like Italian eggplant are your best bets.
- There are a lot of ways to take pleasure in Japanese eggplants: grill, steam, deep-fry, pan-fry, simmer, and so on. Attempt them in a range of recipes, which includes Japanese or other Asian or western-style dishes.
To give you some delicious ideas, we’ve collected the really most effective Japanese eggplant recipes that are effectively tested and beloved by our viewers. We hope you get pleasure from them way too!
Our Finest Japanese Eggplant Recipes
1. Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi
This vegetarian rice bowl options crispy pan-seared eggplant slices that are smothered with an incredible sweet soy sauce. The simplicity of the dish puts the spotlight on all that eggplant can supply.
‘This was unquestionably delectable. Crunchy, salty, and sweet. It arrived collectively very quickly. The ideal portion- it doesn’t involve a ton of components that are not by now in the pantry. Will surely be earning this just one once more.’ – Mae
2. Ginger Pork Rolls with Eggplant
Very similar principle to bacon rollups, this Japanese edition calls for thinly sliced pork. The inside is stuffed with eggplant and the rolls are pan-fried until eventually golden brown ahead of coating with a sweet-savory sauce. To increase further zing, major the ginger pork rolls with shiso leaves (or with mint and Thai basil). It is homey, delicious and goes really perfectly with rice.
‘This is truthfully 1 of—if not —best matters I have at any time tasted. I followed this recipe carefully and it paid off.’ – Kennedy
3. Eggplant Agebitashi (Nasu Agebitashi)
In this recipe, the high quality of the eggplant is accentuated by deep frying and then soaked in a light savory broth is made up of dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. Recognised as nasu agebitashi, the one of a kind Japanese cooking approach provides eggplant in a new gentle. Provide this as a aspect dish to enhance your Japanese or Asian food.
‘I made this for meal this night. It was superb! The daikon and ginger condiments are astounding.’ – Debbie
4. Miso Pork & Eggplant Stir-Fry
Eggplant and pork make a scrumptious and protein-prosperous stir fry! The savory miso sauce ties every little thing together. For a ultimate touch, sprinkle with some chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
‘My 85-calendar year aged mother said that it reminded her of the eggplant with miso that her mother made for her when she was a youngster.’ – Gayle
5. Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings with Eggplant)
Fancy a weekend cooking challenge that will get you to the streets of Japan? Consider these Oyaki dumplings, a well known snack in Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. You can use distinct fillings, but I really like the ones stuffed with eggplant. It is creamy, tender, and bursting with savory flavor.
‘I had in no way heard of oyaki in my Asian dumpling explorations ahead of. But I’m glad I uncovered it – these are terrific! I whipped up 15 each and every of the eggplant and kabocha oyaki on limited observe for a potluck and wasn’t ready to source buckwheat flour or shiso in time. Even so, they were being some tasty dumplings.’ – Todd
6. Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti
Determined to change eggplant skeptics? This Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti will transform them into an immediate admirer. The pasta dish combines the deeply flavored tomato meat sauce with crispy panko-crusted eggplant in the most scrumptious and comforting manner.
‘Tried this tonight, and it was delightful! Cheated a little on the sauce, applied Rao’s, and extra Italian sausage and herbs. Up coming time, will make it from scratch.’ – Kuulei
7. Miso Glazed Eggplant
When in doubt, you can constantly depend on this quick Miso Glazed Eggplant recipe. The eggplants are initially glazed with an umami miso mixture and then grilled right until crispy on the outside the house though retaining its creamy texture on the within. 15 minutes is all you have to have for a fantastic vegetable facet!
‘I really really like Japanese society and foodstuff. I make this a whole lot. It is a fantastic recipe.’ – Lucila
8. Eggplant Unagi Donburi
You won’t think this hearty, savory rice bowl with unagi eel and eggplant can occur alongside one another in just 30 minutes!
‘Instead of unagi we made use of mackerel since unagi is really expensive in our place. I Just have to say, this recipe was remarkable! So much taste! This is unquestionably one to be designed on a repeat.’ – Miki
9. Mapo Eggplant (Mapo Nasu)
A little spicy and unbelievably flavorful, this mapo eggplant (mabo nasu) is an adaptation of Chinese food items that is extremely common in Japan. Served more than warm steamed rice, you are going to have a satisfying weeknight food!
‘My partner and I like this dish! I have been creating it on a regular basis considering the fact that you first posted it, and we by no means get tired of it. I do alter it up from time to time depending on what I can locate at the Mitsuwa- very last night time I added in stir-fried negi and thick slices of Shitaki mushrooms. Tasty!’ – Barbara
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