Japanese nasu dengaku with sweet miso glaze
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
22 min
Servings
4
4 halves
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Japanese nasu dengaku with sweet miso glaze
Japanese eggplant halves grilled and topped with a sweet-savory miso glaze until bubbly and caramelized. An umami-rich side dish that converts eggplant skeptics.
10m
Prep Time
12m
Cook Time
22m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
(Updated )
Nasu dengaku is a classic Japanese preparation where eggplant meets a rich miso glaze under intense heat. Grilling adds a smoky dimension to this traditional dish that is utterly addictive.
Score the cut side of each eggplant half in a crosshatch pattern. Brush with oil.
Mix miso, mirin, sake, and sugar until smooth to make the dengaku glaze.
Grill eggplant cut-side down over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until charred.
Flip, spread miso glaze generously over the cut side, and grill with lid closed for 5-7 more minutes until bubbly.
Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve immediately.
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
Stronger, saltier flavor—reduce quantity by 1/3
Similar fermented flavor for deglazing
Test Kitchen Pick
Miso
Helpful Pantry Staple
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.
A tub of miso tends to earn its keep quickly once it is in the fridge.
Shop miso for this recipeScore the flesh deeply so the heat penetrates and the eggplant cooks evenly.
Japanese eggplants are sweeter and less bitter than globe varieties—use them if available.
Best eaten immediately. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Reheat under the broiler for 3-4 minutes until the glaze re-caramelizes.
Per serving (0mg) · 4 servings
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
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.

Mediterranean
Mediterranean

Mediterranean

Japanese

Asian