Discover the deliciousness of Japanese eggplants with our best recipes! Fan favorites include soy-glazed eggplant rice bowls, mapo eggplant, grilled eggplant with miso glaze, nasu agebitashi, and more.
If I had to name one vegetable that gets me really excited, it would be the mighty Japanese eggplant! Like many people, I wasn’t into this nightshade until later in life, but I’ve grown to savor its many remarkable qualities.
By themselves, Japanese eggplants don’t have much flavor, but when cooked and seasoned properly, they can absorb almost any taste. Their sturdy yet spongy texture makes them quite unique. The meaty texture also makes them a great option for vegan and vegetarian dishes. That’s what I love about cooking with Japanese eggplants. Let’s get to know them today!
What are Japanese Eggplants?
- Japanese eggplants, known as theirs (sometimes referred to generically as long Asian eggplants), are recognized by their long, slender body with deep purple shade.
- Thanks to their long shape and thin skin, Japanese eggplants cook much faster and absorb flavors more quickly than regular large-sized eggplants. They are also less bitter and have a velvety, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture once cooked. Plus, they require less oil than regular eggplants.
- The best substitute for Japanese eggplant is Chinese eggplant. Both belong to the same Asian cultivar, but Japanese eggplants tend to have a deeper, almost black-purple color. If you can’t find either, other small eggplant varieties, like Italian eggplant, are good alternatives.
- There are many ways to enjoy Japanese eggplants: grilling, steaming, deep-frying, pan-frying, simmering, and more. Try them in a variety of recipes, including Japanese, other Asian, or Western-style dishes.
To give you some delicious ideas, we’ve gathered the very best Japanese eggplant recipes that are well tested and loved by our readers. We hope you enjoy them too!
Our Best Japanese Eggplant Recipes
1. Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi
This vegetarian rice bowl features crispy, pan-seared eggplant slices smothered in an amazing sweet soy sauce. The simplicity of the dish highlights all that eggplant has to offer.
‘This was absolutely delicious. Crunchy, salty, and sweet. It came together very quickly. The best part- it doesn’t require a ton of ingredients that aren’t already in the pantry. Will definitely be making this one again.’ – Mae
2. Ginger Pork Rolls with Eggplant
Similar to bacon roll-ups, this Japanese version uses thinly sliced pork. The rolls are stuffed with eggplant and pan-fried until golden brown before being coated with a sweet-savory sauce. For an extra zing, top the ginger pork rolls with shiso leaves (or with mint and Thai basil). It’s homey, tasty, and pairs wonderfully with rice.
‘This is honestly one of—if not —best things I have ever tasted. I followed this recipe closely and it paid off.’ – Kennedy
3. Eggplant Agebitashi (Nasu Agebitashi)
In this recipe, the quality of the eggplant is accentuated by deep frying and then soaking it in a light savory broth made of dashi, mirin, and soy sauce. Known as nasu agebitashithis unique Japanese cooking method presents eggplant in a new light. Serve it as a side dish to complement your Japanese or Asian meal.
‘I made this for dinner this evening. It was outstanding! The daikon and ginger condiments are amazing.’ – Debbie
4. Mapo Eggplant (Mapo Nasu)
Slightly spicy and incredibly flavorful, this mapo eggplant (mabo nasu) is an adaptation of Chinese cuisine that’s very popular in Japan. Served over hot steamed rice, it makes for a satisfying weeknight meal!
‘My husband and I love this dish! I have been making it regularly since you first posted it, and we never get tired of it. I do change it up from time to time; depending on what I can find at the Mitsuwa- last night I added in stir-fried negi and thick slices of Shitaki mushrooms. Delicious!’ – Barbara
5. Miso Pork & Eggplant Stir-Fry
Eggplant and pork make a delicious, protein-rich stir-fry! The savory miso sauce ties everything together. For a final touch, sprinkle with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
‘My 85-year old mother said that it reminded her of the eggplant with miso that her mother made for her when she was a child.’ – Gayle
6. Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings with Eggplant)
Fancy a weekend cooking project that will transport you to the streets of Japan? Try these Oyaki dumplings, a popular snack from Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. You can use various fillings, but I especially love the ones stuffed with eggplant. They’re creamy, tender, and bursting with savory flavor.
‘I had never heard of oyaki in my Asian dumpling explorations before. But I’m glad I found it – these are terrific! I whipped up 15 each of the eggplant and kabocha oyaki on short notice for a potluck and wasn’t able to source buckwheat flour or shiso in time. Even so, they were some tasty dumplings.’ – Todd
7. Miso Glazed Eggplant
When in doubt, you can always count on this easy Miso Glazed Eggplant recipe. The eggplants are first glazed with an umami miso mixture and then grilled until crispy on the outside while retaining a creamy texture on the inside. Just 15 minutes is all you need for a great vegetable side!
‘I really love Japanese culture and food. I make this a lot. It is a fantastic recipe.’ – Lucila
8. Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti
Determined to convert eggplant skeptics? This Eggplant Parmesan Spaghetti will turn them into instant fans. The pasta dish combines deeply flavored tomato meat sauce with crispy panko-crusted eggplant in the most scrumptious and comforting manner.
‘Tried this tonight, and it was delicious! Cheated a little on the sauce, used Rao’s, and added Italian sausage and herbs. Next time, will make it from scratch.’ – Kuulei
9. Eggplant Unagi Donburi
You won’t believe this hearty, savory rice bowl with unagi eel and eggplant can come together in just 30 minutes!
‘Instead of unagi we used mackerel since unagi is really expensive in our country. I Just have to say, this recipe was amazing! So much flavor! This is definitely one to be made on a repeat.’ – Miki
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