Japanese Grilled Eggplant Aubergine Yaki Nasu Recipe

Experience the authentic taste of Japan with this delicious Yaki Nasu recipe! A restaurant-worthy grilled eggplant dish, perfect for adventurous palates. This recipe elevates simple eggplant to a culinary masterpiece with a sweet and savory sauce, finished with delicate bonito flakes. Impress your friends and family with this surprisingly easy-to-make Japanese classic.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Calories 44.1 kcal
Protein 7g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Japanese Grilled Eggplant Aubergine Yaki Nasu

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Japanese Grilled Eggplant Aubergine Yaki Nasu

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Japanese Grilled Eggplant Aubergine Yaki Nasu? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Japanese Grilled Eggplant Aubergine Yaki Nasu

  1. **Prepare the seasoning:** In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and dashi. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  2. **Grill the eggplants:** Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Grill the whole eggplants, turning occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, or until the skin is charred and the flesh is very tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork or toothpick.
  3. **Cool and peel:** Remove the eggplants from the grill and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes to stop the cooking process. Once cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and pat the eggplants dry.
  4. **Marinate:** Cut the peeled eggplants into 1-inch thick slices. Place them in a bowl and pour the cooled seasoning liquid over them. Gently toss to coat. Marinate for at least 10 minutes (longer is better, up to 30 minutes).
  5. **Assemble and serve:** Arrange the marinated eggplant slices on a serving plate. Drizzle with a little extra sesame oil (optional). Sprinkle generously with bonito flakes.
  6. **Enjoy:** Serve your Yaki Nasu at room temperature or chilled. It’s delicious as a side dish or a light vegetarian main course.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

53 g

Sugar

12g

Fat

0g

Carbs

2g