Say hello to Vegan Miso-Glazed Eggplant, also known as Nasu Dengaku, the dish that turns ordinary eggplant into a flavor-packed masterpiece. With its tender, broiled texture and a rich, caramelized miso glaze, it's the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
This recipe and photos were contributed by Susan Voisin, who runs the wonderful FatFree Vegan Kitchen. It has recently been updated.
Whether you're a fan of Japanese flavors or just looking to try something new, this recipe is as easy as it is impressive-and it's guaranteed to win over even the most skeptical eggplant eaters.
Known as Nasu Dengaku in Japanese cuisine, this recipe turns broiled eggplant into something magical with a miso glaze that's sweet, savory, and packed with umami. It's simple to make, bursting with flavor, and perfect for anyone looking to bring a little taste of Japan to their kitchen.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, it's an ideal choice for a weeknight treat.
- Flavor-Packed: The miso glaze provides a delightful balance of sweet and savory notes.
- 100% Vegan!
Helpful Tips
Use Japanese Eggplants! While you can get away with any eggplant variety, this recipe is really best with the slender Japanese eggplants.
Monitor Broiling: Keep a close eye on the eggplants while broiling to prevent burning. Seriously - don't walk away.
Adjust the Sweetness: Modify the amount of agave nectar to suit your taste preferences.
Garnish Generously: Top the eggplant with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Serve this miso eggplant as a starter to a complete Japanese-themed meal. Check out these Japanese Soba noodles, this Miso Cabbage Salad, and these Japanese Carrot Pickles to get started!
Make it a Meal: Pair the Japanese eggplant with steamed rice and sautéed greens for a complete dinner.
Use it as a Topping: Use the Miso-Glazed Eggplant as a flavorful addition to your favorite Asian-inspired noodle bowls or vegan salads.
More Vegan Recipes
If you love this Miso Glazed Eggplant, be sure to check out these other delicious vegan recipes:
Recipe
Vegan Miso Glazed Eggplant
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons mirin sweet rice wine
- 2 tablespoons sake may substitute dry vermouth or white wine
- 4 tablespoons white miso reduced sodium, if available
- 3 tablespoons agave nectar
- 4 Japanese eggplants stem end trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil optional
- toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- green onions sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the mirin and saki in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for about 2 minutes to allow some of the alcohol to cook off. Then add the miso and stir until smooth. Stir in the agave nectar, reduce the heat to very low, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, while you broil the eggplants:
- Brush the cut sides of the eggplants with the sesame oil, if desired. Put the eggplants cut-side down on a baking sheet and place under the broiler of your oven for about 3 minutes, checking often to make sure that they do not burn. Turn them over, and cook for another 3 minutes or until the tops are a light to medium brown. Do not burn!
- When the eggplants are tender, top each one with the miso sauce and put them back under the broiler until the sauce bubbles up-this should take less than a minute, so watch them closely. Serve hot, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.
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