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  • Jeeca Jeeca
  • - November 8, 2020
  • - 2:05 pm

Miso Sesame Eggplants

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These vegan Miso Sesame Eggplants are packed full of umami with a hint of sweetness and a kick of spice! These are so good and satisfying served over a bowl of steamed rice but also delicious as is or with some salad.

You can also check out the video below to see how these eggplants are prepared!

THE INSPIRATION: NASU DENGAKU

This recipe is inspired by nasu dengaku or Japanese miso glazed eggplant. It’s traditionally cooked over a grill with open fire but for my version I simply pan-fry my eggplants until slightly charred.

WHAT TYPE OF MISO PASTE SHOULD I USE?

For this eggplant recipe, I used white miso paste. I love the umami and the hint of sweetness from miso paste.

What’s the difference between miso paste and korean soybean paste?

  • Unlike doenjang, Japanese miso paste uses rice or barley as a base so it’s not as strong as doenjang that’s made purely of soy beans
  • There are also other types of miso that are stronger than white miso
  • Miso paste is also smoother and white miso has sweet notes compared to doenjang

SESAME PASTE

As for the sesame paste, I use Chinese sesame paste or roasted sesame paste, which is made with roasted white sesame seeds, giving it that nice brown colour and more robust flavour.

What’s the difference between Chinese/Asian Sesame Paste and Tahini?

Asian/Chinese Sesame Paste is different from tahini. Chinese sesame paste is made from roasted sesame seeds so it’s a rich brown in color (like peanut butter color), while tahini is made from raw sesame seeds so it’s a lot paler in color (almost white).

Can I use tahini instead?

I don’t recommend substituting Asian/Chinese sesame paste with tahini in this recipe since tahini will completely overpower the sauce.

PREPARE THE MISO SESAME SAUCE

I simply mixed all the ingredients for the sauce together in a bowl.

I really love to use sesame paste in sauces because of the distinct flavour it gives. Pair it with miso paste and you have an amazingly tasty and umami sauce.

PREPARE THE EGGPLANTS

I then prepared the the eggplants.

I used American eggplants, which are much thicker than Chinese eggplants, so take longer to cook.

If you’re using Chinese eggplants, you can adjust the cooking time.

I sliced a criss-cross pattern on the eggplant. This will help get all the flavours in from the sauce in later on.

COOKING THE EGGPLANTS

I cooked down the eggplant on a pan for a few minutes to half-cook them since they’re much thicker and meatier than Chinese eggplants.

This will help lessen cooking time in the oven.

I cooked them skin side first.

Basically I cooked them until lightly charred on the outside.

Afterwards, I then placed the eggplants on a lined baking tray and slathered the sauce on each eggplant.

I popped them in the oven (well, oven toaster in my case!) and as the eggplants cook down, the sauce slowly seeps in the cuts on the eggplant flesh.

Here are the finished baked eggplants!

ENJOY YOUR MISO SESAME EGGPLANTS

I enjoyed them served over some steamed short grain rice.

The Miso Sesame Eggplants were so flavourful and had that nice, creamy, and silky texture to them.

You can also of course cook them for a shorter time if you like your eggplant flesh firmer and with a bite, but I prefer them really silky.

Here’s a little close-up!

You’ll find the recipe for these down below. Enjoy!

You might enjoy these other vegan recipes:

  • Crispy Eggplant Katsu
  • Chili Garlic and Black Bean Eggplant Noodles
  • Easy Sweet, Spicy, and Saucy Noodles
  • Stir-Fried Tofu and Basil Noodles
  • Pan-Fried Tofu Cakes
  • Tofu ‘McNuggets’
  • Tantanmen (Vegan Ramen)
  • Yaki Udon
  • Chinese-Style Bolognese
  • Ginger and Scallion Noodles

Miso and Sesame Eggplants

Jeeca
5 from 8 votes
These eggplants are packed full of umami with a hint of sweetness and a kick of spice! These eggplants are inspirited by Japanese miso glazed eggplants or nasu dengaku. These are so good and satisfying served over a bowl of steamed rice but also delicious as is or with some salad.
Print Recipe Pin this Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Bake Time 30 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Asian, Japanese
Servings 4 halves
Calories 132 kcal

Ingredients
  

Eggplant

  • 600 g American eggplant , 2 pieces

Miso Sesame Paste

  • 3 tbsp miso paste , I used white miso paste
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp Chinese sesame paste see notes
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup or other liquid sweetener
  • 1/2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp sriracha or other hot sauce, adjust according to desired spice (optional)
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 to 2 tsp soy sauce adjust according to desired taste

For serving (optional)

  • Roasted sesame seeds
  • Chopped scallions
  • Togarashi Japanese 7-spice blend
  • Steamed short grain rice

Instructions
 

  • Halve the eggplants then carefully score the flesh diagonally until you achieve a criss-cross pattern. Make sure not to cut too deep as you might cut through the skin. You can check out my video below to see how I slice them!
  • Heat a non-stick pan or skillet over medium high heat. Place the eggplants skin first and leave to cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the skin is brown. Flip the eggplants over and then leave to cook as well until the flesh has turned into a nice toasted brown colour. Flip it back, skin side again, and then lower the heat to medium. Cover the pan and then leave the eggplant to cook in its steam for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • While the eggplant is cooking, mix all the paste ingredients together in a small bowl. Feel free to adjust the measurements depending on your design taste.
  • Preheat your oven or oven toaster to 425 F/220 C.
  • Transfer the half-cooked eggplants on a lined baking tray. Add in the sesame miso sesame on the eggplants. I like to do so by just spreading it with a spoon.
  • Bake the eggplants for around 20 minutes and the eggplant is tender enough to your liking! I like my eggplants really silky in terms of texture.
    It'd be best to keep an eye out on your eggplants in case your oven heats up too quickly and can cause the eggplants to easily burn when they bake. The sauce contains sugar so this can easily cause it to burn. If this is the case, you can lower the heat of your oven to 180C/350F or place the eggplants farther away from the heat source.
    The sauce can bubble while baking and the sauce will seep through the cuts.
  • Top your eggplants with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and togarashi, if desired. Enjoy with some rice or as is!

WATCH Video

Notes

Chinese Sesame Paste
  • Chinese sesame paste or roasted sesame paste is made with roasted white sesame seeds giving it that nice light-brown colour and has a more robust flavour. Meanwhile, tahini is made with raw white sesame seeds, that have a nuttier flavour. I wouldn’t recommend using tahini for this recipe as it can completely overpower the sauce. See a simple substitute below!
 
Substitute for the Chinese Sesame Paste
  • 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tbsp plain peanut butter
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
 
What to do:
  • Grind the toasted sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle until crushed before mixing in the peanut butter and sesame oil until smooth.

NUTRITIONAL INFO

Serving: 1half eggplant | Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 410mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a rating or comment and share a photo on Instagram, and tag me @thefoodietakesflight or use #thefoodietakesflight 🙂

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This Post Has 19 Comments

  1. Rita 9 Nov 2020 Reply

    This looks absolutely divine! And so easy! I want wait to try this, thanks so much ☺️

    1. Jessica Uy 9 Nov 2020 Reply

      Thanks Rita! Hope you enjoy them 🙂

  2. Sina 3 Dec 2020 Reply

    Drooling. Thank you for sharing, I can’t wait to try ! ?

  3. Kim Thomas 26 Jan 2021 Reply

    Can you recommend a substitute for the Miso? Too much sodium…need something without all the salt!

    1. Jeeca 27 Jan 2021 Reply

      Hi Kim! I’m afraid there’s no sub for the miso pasta the has low sodium content but I can recommend using peanut butter and mix it with the sesame. But of course this will no longer be Miso sesame eggplants, but peanut sesame eggplants instead. Hope this helps! ◡̈

  4. Sade 9 Feb 2021 Reply

    Helloo i have tried this receipe and my eggplants started burning after a few minutes baking them at 220C. And the sauce wasn’t bubbling. I was wondering if I maybe did something wrong. I followed the whole receipe step by step. Thank you ?

    1. Jeeca 10 Feb 2021 Reply

      Hi Sade! Hmm I’m not so sure why that’s the case. Did you use american eggplants? I find that they’re juicer than Chinese eggplants so the liquid helps with the whole ‘bubbling’ during baking, but if they don’t bubble then it’s totally okay too. As for the heat, 220C is actually really hot so if your oven is the type that really heats up quickly, it may be better to keep it to around 180C first and just increase it a halfway through. This way the eggplants won’t burn easily on top and the insides can cook well. Hope this helps!

    2. Jeeca 10 Feb 2021 Reply

      Just to add, the sauce also contains sugar and sugar tends to quickly burn when cooking so if that’s the case for you, I’d suggest placing the eggplants farther away from the heat source of your own and lower the oven temp.:)

      1. Sade 22 Feb 2021 Reply

        Thank you soo much. Will follow all those guidelines. Have a nice day ?

  5. Riya 17 Feb 2021 Reply

    5 stars
    WOW! I had saved this recipe for a while, finally made it, and have been addicted to making it ever since!! It really is so easy to make, but the flavors and texture come together so well! Truly addicted to this dish!

    1. Jeeca 18 Feb 2021 Reply

      Hi Riya! Thanks so much for trying it out and happy you enjoyed it 🙂

  6. Fabi 3 Jun 2021 Reply

    Very tasty. I turned out a bit too salty after it came out of the oven. So I’ll use less miso next time.

    1. Jeeca 5 Jun 2021 Reply

      Thank you Fabi 🙂

  7. Florencia 30 Aug 2021 Reply

    I tried it myself today and ir was delicious!!!

    1. Jeeca 31 Aug 2021 Reply

      Thank you Florencia!! ◡̈

  8. Lara 4 Sep 2021 Reply

    5 stars
    Is this recipe included in your book? I love your recipes – I’m going to try this now. I love the toasted sesame past option too.

    1. Jeeca 5 Sep 2021 Reply

      Hi Lara! This isn’t in my cookbook since the recipes there are all new except for a few crowd favourites. I have a few eggplant recipes in my cookbook though and you can see the complete list of recipes in my website page: https://thefoodietakesflight.com/vegan-asian-cookbook ◡̈

  9. Meghan 1 Dec 2022 Reply

    5 stars
    This came out so delicious! I used Chinese eggplant and cooked them for about 12 minutes in the oven. I had some extra paste and mixed it with my rice. The paste was so amazing I want to put it on other things!

    1. Jeeca 1 Dec 2022 Reply

      So happy you enjoyed this Meghan! Love the paste too and I love using it for my tofu and mushrooms. ◡̈ thanks so much for giving this a try!!

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Noodles The Foodie Takes Flight

Hello there!

I’m Jeeca, a food content creator and recipe developer passionate about creating easy yet tasty and flavour-packed vegan recipes. I share a lot of Asian recipes inspired by my travels and those I grew up enjoying.

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