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A finished bowl of nasu no yakibitashi — pan-fried Japanese eggplant and green pepper soaking in a dark dashi-soy tsuyu, topped with bonito flakes, shredded shiso, and myoga in a blue Japanese ceramic bowl

Nasu no Yakibitashi (Japanese Chilled Eggplant in Dashi-Soy Broth)

Pan-fried Japanese eggplant and green pepper steeped in a chilled dashi-soy tsuyu, topped with bonito flakes, shredded shiso, and myoga. A refreshing make-ahead summer side dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Japanese eggplants about 160g, mizu-nasu or regular
  • 2 green peppers about 80g
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil or neutral oil
  • 1.5 tbsp mentsuyu 4× concentrate — adjust if yours is 2× or 3×
  • 80 ml water
  • 1/2 tsp grated ginger
  • bonito flakes (katsuobushi) to finish
  • shiso leaves a few, shredded
  • 1 bulb myoga thinly sliced

Method
 

  1. Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise. Score the cut side with shallow diagonal cuts about 2–3mm apart, then cut crosswise into 2 wedges per half. Soak in cold water for a few minutes, drain, and pat dry. Cut peppers in half lengthwise, deseed, then cut each half diagonally.
  2. In a bowl or container, combine mentsuyu, water, and grated ginger. Stir to combine.
  3. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook the eggplant skin-side down for 2–3 minutes. Add the pepper, flip the eggplant, and continue cooking until both are golden and tender — another 2–3 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer the hot vegetables directly into the tsuyu. Press plastic wrap against the surface and let sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for 1–3 hours for deeper flavour.
  5. Shred shiso and sliver myoga. Serve the chilled vegetables in a bowl with plenty of the tsuyu, generously topped with bonito flakes, shiso, and myoga.