16 Japanese Deep Fried Eggplant Recipe They're Simply Irresistible!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
In the world of Japanese cuisine, eggplant is a versatile and widely-used ingredient. One of the most popular ways to prepare it is by deep frying it to create a crispy and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a side or appetizer. This Japanese deep fried eggplant recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to expand their culinary skills and add a new and delicious dish to their repertoire.
Japanese eggplant, also known as nasu, is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Its long, slender shape and dark purple skin make it stand out on any plate. It has a slightly sweeter taste compared to other varieties of eggplant, making it a versatile ingredient that can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.
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Japanese Fried Eggplant (Agedashi Nasu)
Main Ingredients: Eggplants, Oil, Dashi Stock, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Agedashi nasu is a classic Japanese dish that features deep-fried eggplant pieces in a savory broth. The eggplant is first coated in a light batter and then fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is then served with a flavorful broth made with dashi, soy sauce, and mirin.
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Japanese Miso Eggplant
Main Ingredients: White Miso Paste, Rice Wine Vinegar, Water, Fresh
Miso, a fermented soybean paste, is a staple ingredient in Japanese cooking. When mixed with eggplant, it creates a rich and savory dish that is perfect for cold winter nights. Miso eggplant is typically made by marinating eggplant slices in a mixture of miso, sake, and sugar before grilling or broiling them.
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Nasu Dengaku (Japanese Eggplants Broiled with Miso)
Main Ingredients: Mirin, Sake, Mellow White Miso, Agave Nectar, Japanese
Nasu dengaku is a popular Japanese dish where eggplant slices are broiled with a miso glaze until caramelized and tender. The miso glaze is made with a combination of miso, mirin, sake, and sugar, giving the eggplant a sweet and savory flavor. It is often served as an appetizer or side dish in traditional Japanese restaurants.
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Vegan Japanese Eggplant Dog
Main Ingredients: Japanese Eggplant, Mustard, Soy Sauce, Hot Dog Bun
If you are looking for a unique and delicious way to enjoy eggplant, try making a vegan Japanese eggplant dog. This dish features grilled eggplant slices that are topped with a tangy miso sauce and served in a hot dog bun. It's a tasty and healthy alternative to traditional hot dogs.
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Fried Eggplant With Miso Sauce
Main Ingredients: Eggplants, Red Chillies, Sake, Mirin, Sugar, Shoyu, Red
Fried eggplant with miso sauce is a popular dish in Japanese households. It is made by coating eggplant slices in a light batter and frying them until golden brown. The miso sauce is then poured over the top, adding a burst of umami flavor to the dish. It can be served as a side dish or as a main course with rice.
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Japanese Eggplant Miso Noodle Soup
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Extra Firm Tofu, Toasted Sesame Oil
This hearty soup is a popular winter dish in Japan. It features eggplant, noodles, and a flavorful broth made with miso, dashi, and soy sauce. The eggplant adds a nice texture to the soup and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the broth.
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Sauteed Japanese Eggplant
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Japanese Eggplant, Scallions, Shiitake
Sauteed Japanese eggplant is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this versatile vegetable. It is made by quickly cooking eggplant slices in a pan with some oil and seasoning them with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. The end result is a flavorful and tender dish that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish.
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Japanese Miso Eggplant (vegan)
Main Ingredients: Miso Paste, Mirin, Broth, Sugar, Sesame Oil, Eggplants
If you are following a vegan diet, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors of Japanese eggplant with this vegan miso eggplant recipe. The eggplant is marinated in a mixture of miso, mirin, and sake before being grilled or broiled to perfection. It's a simple and healthy dish that is full of flavor.
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Miso-Glazed Japanese Eggplant
Main Ingredients: Japanese Eggplant, Yellow Miso, Mirin, Sugar, Ginger
This dish takes eggplant to the next level by combining it with a flavorful miso glaze. The eggplant is first grilled or broiled until tender and then coated with a mixture of miso, sake, mirin, and sugar. The result is a dish that is bursting with umami flavors and makes a great addition to any meal.
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Spicy Air Fryer Japanese Eggplant
Main Ingredients: Japanese Eggplants, Rice Vinegar, Chili Garlic Sauce
If you have an air fryer, you have to try this spicy Japanese eggplant recipe. The eggplant is first marinated in a spicy sauce made with gochujang, soy sauce, and honey before being air fried to perfection. It's a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried eggplant.
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Japanese Miso Eggplant Nasu Dengaku
Main Ingredients: Eggplants, Peanut Oil, Miso Paste, Sake, Mirin, White
This version of nasu dengaku features a twist on the traditional miso glaze by adding in some spicy sriracha. The eggplant is broiled until caramelized and then topped with the spicy miso glaze before being served. It's a delicious and unexpected flavor combination that is sure to impress your taste buds.
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Japanese Eggplant & Soba Noodles with Taiwanese Bok...
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Bird S Eye Chilies, Japanese Eggplants
This dish combines Japanese eggplant with soba noodles and Taiwanese bok choy for a fusion of flavors. The eggplant is sauteed with garlic and ginger before being added to the soba noodles and bok choy. It's a filling and flavorful dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
If you are a fan of sweet and sour dishes, you have to try this Japanese twist on the classic chicken dish. Instead of using pineapple, this recipe uses eggplant for a unique and delicious flavor combination. The eggplant is cooked in a tangy sauce made with vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce, and served over rice.
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Stir Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ginger and Miso
Main Ingredients: Miso, Sake, Japanese Eggplants, Canola Oil, Dried Red
This stir-fry dish is a quick and easy way to enjoy Japanese eggplant. The eggplant is stir-fried with ginger, garlic, and miso, creating a flavorful and healthy dish that can be enjoyed as a side or main course. Serve it over rice for a complete meal.
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Japanese Summer Vegetable Miso Soup
Main Ingredients: Zucchini, Eggplant, Tomato, Dashi Powder, Miso Paste
This light and refreshing soup is perfect for hot summer days. It features a variety of summer vegetables, including Japanese eggplant, in a flavorful broth made with miso, dashi, and soy sauce. It's a delicious and healthy way to get in your daily dose of veggies.
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Japanese Eggplant Nasu Dengaku (Miso glaze)
Main Ingredients: Japanese Eggplants, Miso Paste, Mirin, Soy Sauce, White
This traditional Japanese dish is a must-try for any eggplant lover. The eggplant is broiled until tender and then topped with a sweet and savory miso glaze. It's a simple yet delicious dish that is often served as an appetizer or side dish in Japanese restaurants.
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Japanese Eggplant Tempura with Dipping Soy Sauce
Main Ingredients: Asian Eggplants, Vegetable Oil, All Purpose Flour
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish that features battered and deep-fried vegetables or seafood. This recipe uses eggplant as the main ingredient and serves it with a dipping sauce made with soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. It's a tasty and crispy way to enjoy Japanese eggplant.
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Sweet and Sour Eggplant
Main Ingredients: Japanese Eggplants, Red Bell Pepper, Soy Sauce, Brown
This dish is a variation of the classic sweet and sour chicken, but instead of using chicken, it uses eggplant. The eggplant is cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce made with vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce, and served over rice. It's a delicious and vegetarian-friendly option for those who love sweet and sour flavors.
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Home-made Fukujinzuke (Pickled Vegetables for Japanese...
Main Ingredients: Daikon, Lotus Root, Cucumber, Eggplant, Ginger, Salt
Fukujinzuke is a popular condiment in Japan that is often served with curry dishes. It is made by pickling an assortment of vegetables, including Japanese eggplant, in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. It adds a tangy and crunchy element to any dish and is easy to make at home.
The Perfect Ingredients for Japanese Deep Fried Eggplant
What You'll Need:
Eggplant: Choose a medium-sized Japanese or Chinese eggplant for this recipe. They have a thinner and more tender skin compared to other varieties, making them perfect for deep frying.
Flour: Use all-purpose flour for coating the eggplant slices.
Panko Breadcrumbs: These Japanese breadcrumbs are key to achieving a crispy and crunchy texture in the fried eggplant.
Egg: Beaten egg acts as the binding agent for the breadcrumbs to stick to the eggplant slices.
Oil: Use vegetable or canola oil for deep frying the eggplant.
Salt: To season the eggplant slices before frying.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Japanese Deep Fried Eggplant
1. Prepare the Eggplant
Start by washing and patting dry the eggplant. Cut off the stem and slice the eggplant into ¼ inch rounds.
2. Season and Coat the Eggplant
In a shallow dish, mix together flour and a pinch of salt. In another dish, beat the egg. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs. Dip each eggplant slice in the flour, then the beaten egg, and finally the breadcrumbs, making sure to coat each slice evenly.
3. Heat the Oil
In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Fry the Eggplant
Carefully place the coated eggplant slices in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
5. Drain and Serve
Remove the fried eggplant slices from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as tonkatsu sauce or soy sauce.
Adding a Japanese Twist to Your Fried Eggplant
For an extra punch of flavor, you can sprinkle some shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice) on the eggplant slices before frying. You can also add a drizzle of mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine) to the beaten egg for a touch of sweetness in every bite.
Final Thoughts
This Japanese deep fried eggplant recipe is a simple and delicious way to elevate this humble vegetable into a crowd-pleasing dish. The crispy texture and subtle flavors of the eggplant make it a perfect appetizer or side dish for any Japanese-inspired meal. So why not give it a try and impress your friends and family with your newfound culinary skills?