Go Back
–+ servings
Stir Fried Japanese Eggplant With Miso with chopsticks

Stir Fried Japanese Eggplant With Miso

Grace
Japanese Eggplant is absolutely delicious stir fried with miso! This is a terrific side dish that packs maximum flavor and is spicy with the addition of Thai chilies. You'll love it!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 servings (as a side dish)

Equipment

  • Skillet (Cast iron skillet or wok is preferred)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large Japanese eggplant about 1 pound; roughly chopped at angles into bite sized pieces
  • 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoon red miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon sake can sub Shaoxing Rice Wine
  • 2 ts garlic minced
  • 3-4 Thai chilis adjust to your taste or omit completely for a milder dish - please note using 3 or 4 of these does make this dish spicy!
  • sugar pinch of or to taste
  • sesame oil a few drops splashed on at the end
  • green onions sliced, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Slice the Japanese eggplant at an angle and kind of roughly into bite sized pieces.
    Cut up pieces of Japanese eggplant
  • Soak the eggplant in water for about 10 minutes. Then drain and dry with paper towels.
    cut up pieces of Japanese eggplant in water in a white bowl
  • Make a paste with 2 tablespoon of miso and 1 tablespoon of sake (or Shaoxing Rice Wine). Stir well and set aside for later use.
    sake and miso paste in a spoon
  • Heat up vegetable oil in a skillet on medium. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and chilis. Stir frequently for around 1 min.
    Garlic and thai chilies in oil in a cast iron pan
  • Add sliced Japanese eggplant, and cook until tender. You will want to stir a bit but also leave the eggplant undisturbed from time to time to allow some browning. It took me about 20 minutes to get mine tender and browned to my liking...please adjust the time to suit your stove. You may also add a little extra oil if the eggplant starts to stick or you think it's getting too dry. When the eggplant is tender and browned, then add the miso and sake paste, and stir until incorporated. Last step is to add a few splashes of sesame oil and a pinch of sugar (or sugar to taste).
    cut up pieces of Japanese eggplant being browned and cooked in a cast iron pan
  • Garnish with green onions and enjoy!
    Stir Fried Japanese Eggplant With Miso in a gold rimmed bowl garnished with green onions and chopsticks on the side

Notes

If you don't have sake you can substitute Shaoxing Rice Wine.  
The Thai chilies add quite a bit of heat to this dish.  If you don't prefer spicy food, it's best to leave these out or reduce the amount of chilies called for. 
This simple stir fried Japanese eggplant makes for a delicious side dish to accompany any meal!  Enjoy with your best pair of chopsticks!
Keyword eggplant, miso
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!