Caramelized eggplant with sweet miso glaze
Miso Eggplant
Miso Eggplant
35 minEasy
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2
2 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Miso Eggplant
Caramelized eggplant with sweet miso glaze
Silky roasted eggplant halves glazed with a sweet, deeply savory miso sauce and broiled until caramelized and bubbling. Nasu dengaku is a vegetarian showpiece that converts even eggplant skeptics.
10m
Prep Time
25m
Cook Time
35m
Total Time
2
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Nasu dengaku is one of the most elegant vegetable dishes in Japanese cuisine. The eggplant becomes impossibly creamy under the broiler while the miso glaze caramelizes into a complex, sweet-savory lacquer.
Ingredients
- 2 Japanese eggplants, halved lengthwise
- 2 tbsp white miso paste
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1
Score eggplant flesh in a crosshatch pattern without cutting through the skin. Brush with oil.
- 2
Roast cut-side down on a baking sheet at 400F for 15 minutes until tender.
- 3
Mix miso, mirin, sugar, sesame oil, and 1 tsp sake into a smooth glaze.
- 4
Flip eggplant cut-side up. Spread miso glaze over each half generously.
- 5
Broil for 3 to 4 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and bubbling. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering
Substitutions
White misoRed miso
Deeper, more intense flavor; reduce sugar slightly
Japanese eggplantZucchini halves
Different vegetable but takes the glaze beautifully
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Miso
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the miso matters
Miso gives this recipe layered saltiness and a little sweetness that is hard to replace cleanly with a generic substitute.
This is the kind of pantry staple that changes depth more than volume.
- Adds savory depth without more work
- Useful in soups, dressings, and marinades
A tub of miso tends to earn its keep quickly once it is in the fridge.
Shop miso for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Japanese eggplant works best; its thinner shape cooks more evenly than globe eggplant.
Watch closely under the broiler as the miso glaze can go from caramelized to burnt in seconds.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 2 days. The texture softens further.
Reheating
Warm in a 375F oven for 8 minutes. A quick broil refreshes the glaze.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (0mg) · 2 servings
Calories160
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein3g
Carbohydrates7g
Fat22g
Fiber480mg
Sugar5g
Sodium12g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use globe eggplant?
- Yes, cut into thick rounds instead of halving. Increase roasting time by 5 minutes.
- White miso vs red miso?
- White miso is sweeter and milder. Red miso adds more intensity and saltiness.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.
You Might Also Like
Easy
Japanese
Japanese Fried Rice
13 min2 servings
View Recipe
Japanese Fried Rice
13 min•Easy
Dairy-Free
Medium
Japanese
Yakitori Tsukune
25 min4 servings
View Recipe
Yakitori Tsukune
25 min•Medium
Dairy-Free
Easy
Korean
Doenjang Jjigae
30 min2 servings
View Recipe
Doenjang Jjigae
30 min•Easy
Gluten-FreeDairy-Free
Medium
Japanese
Tamagoyaki
15 min2 servings
View Recipe
Tamagoyaki
15 min•Medium
Medium
Japanese
Japanese Milk Bread
3h 5m10 servings
View Recipe
Japanese Milk Bread
3h 5m•Medium
Medium
Japanese
Melon Pan
2h 15m8 servings
View Recipe
Melon Pan
2h 15m•Medium