Our Best Japanese Eggplant Recipes • Just One Cookbook

Find out 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 more.

If I had to title a person vegetable that can get me definitely energized, it has to be the mighty Japanese eggplants! But like a lot of folks, I wasn’t into the nightshade until finally a great deal later as an grownup that I’ve grown to savor its several amazing traits.

By on their own, Japanese eggplants really don’t have significantly of a style, but when cooked and seasoned properly, they can soak up just about any flavors. The sturdy nonetheless spongy character also makes it fairly one-of-a-kind. The meaty texture will make them a terrific choice for vegan and vegetarian dishes. Which is what I appreciate about cooking with Japanese eggplant. Let us get to know them these days!

What are Japanese Eggplants?

• Japanese eggplants are called nasu (occasionally referred to generically as extensive Asian eggplants) and they are recognized by their prolonged, slender entire body with a deep purple shade.
• Many thanks to their long shape and slim pores and skin, Japanese eggplants cook dinner a lot more quickly and soak up flavors more quickly than frequent large-sized eggplant. It is also considerably less bitter and has a velvety and nearly soften-in-your-mouth texture when cooked. It also doesn’t need to have a lot as oil as regular eggplant.
• The best substitute for Japanese eggplant is Chinese eggplant. Both eggplants belong to the same Asian cultivar but the main big difference is the Japanese eggplant tends to have a deeper, nearly black-purple color. If you just cannot locate the two eggplants, then other modest eggplant kinds, like Italian eggplant are your best bets.
• There are lots of methods to appreciate Japanese eggplants: grill, steam, deep-fry, pan-fry, simmer, etcetera. Try out them in a selection of recipes, like Japanese or other Asian or western-type dishes.

To give you some tasty concepts, we have gathered the extremely most effective Japanese eggplant recipes that are effectively examined and loved by our visitors. We hope you take pleasure in them as well!

Our Greatest Japanese Eggplant Recipes

1. Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi

This vegetarian rice bowl functions crispy pan-seared eggplant slices that are smothered with an remarkable sweet soy sauce. The simplicity of the dish places the highlight on all that eggplant can offer you.

‘This was absolutely delicious. Crunchy, salty, and sweet. It came collectively quite quickly. The very best component- it doesn’t involve a ton of substances that are not by now in the pantry. Will certainly be generating this 1 once more.’ – Mae

2. Ginger Pork Rolls with Eggplant

Identical notion to bacon rollups, this Japanese variation calls for thinly sliced pork. The inside is stuffed with eggplant and the rolls are pan-fried until finally golden brown right before coating with a sweet-savory sauce. To insert further zing, leading the ginger pork rolls with shiso leaves (or with mint and Thai basil). It is homey, delicious and goes very well with rice.

‘This is truthfully a single of—if not —best points I have at any time tasted. I followed this recipe closely and it paid off.’ – Kennedy

3. Eggplant Agebitashi (Nasu Agebitashi)

In this recipe, the excellent of the eggplant is accentuated by deep frying and then soaked in a gentle savory broth is made up of dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. Acknowledged as nasu agebitashi, the special Japanese cooking process provides eggplant in a new gentle. Serve this as a facet dish to enhance your Japanese or Asian food.

‘I created this for supper this night. It was outstanding! The daikon and ginger condiments are astounding.’ – Debbie

4. Miso Pork & Eggplant Stir-Fry

Eggplant and pork make a tasty and protein-prosperous stir fry! The savory miso sauce ties everything with each other. For a final contact, sprinkle with some chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

‘My 85-yr outdated mother claimed that it reminded her of the eggplant with miso that her mom manufactured for her when she was a youngster.’ – Gayle 

5. Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings with Eggplant)

Extravagant a weekend cooking job that will consider you to the streets of Japan? Attempt these Oyaki dumplings, a well known snack in Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. You can use unique fillings, but I really like the types stuffed with eggplant. It is creamy, tender, and bursting with savory flavor.

‘I experienced never ever read of oyaki in my Asian dumpling explorations ahead of. But I’m glad I found it – these are marvelous! I whipped up 15 each individual of the eggplant and kabocha oyaki on quick detect for a potluck and was not ready to supply buckwheat flour or shiso in time. Even so, they ended up some delicious dumplings.’ – Todd

6. Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti 

Decided to change eggplant skeptics? This Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti will turn them into an quick admirer. The pasta dish brings together the deeply flavored tomato meat sauce with crispy panko-crusted eggplant in the most scrumptious and comforting fashion.

‘Tried this tonight, and it was delightful! Cheated a small on the sauce, used Rao’s, and additional Italian sausage and herbs. Next time, will make it from scratch.’ – Kuulei

7. Miso Glazed Eggplant

When in doubt, you can usually rely on this quick Miso Glazed Eggplant recipe. The eggplants are initially glazed with an umami miso combination and then grilled right up until crispy on the outside whilst retaining its creamy texture on the within. 15 minutes is all you have to have for a excellent vegetable aspect!

‘I definitely really like Japanese culture and meals. I make this a good deal. It is a excellent recipe.’ – Lucila

8. Eggplant Unagi Donburi

You won’t consider this hearty, savory rice bowl with unagi eel and eggplant can arrive jointly in just 30 minutes!

‘Instead of unagi we employed mackerel considering that unagi is really expensive in our state. I Just have to say, this recipe was awesome! So a great deal taste! This is definitely one particular to be created on a repeat.’ – Miki

9. Mapo Eggplant (Mapo Nasu)

Slightly spicy and exceptionally flavorful, this mapo eggplant (mabo nasu) is an adaptation of Chinese foods that is very well-liked in Japan. Served over warm steamed rice, you will have a fulfilling weeknight food!

‘My husband and I really like this dish! I have been earning it routinely due to the fact you initially posted it, and we never get exhausted of it. I do transform it up from time to time relying on what I can come across at the Mitsuwa- past evening I extra in stir-fried negi and thick slices of Shitaki mushrooms. Delightful!’ – Barbara

For More Inspiring Vegetable Recipes

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