Recipe notes
Nasu Dengaku: Japanese-style glazed eggplant
Japanese cuisine is full of dishes featuring vegetables, and Nasu Dengaku (茄子田楽) is a perfect example. This traditional recipe involves grilling eggplants before topping them with a sweet-and-salty miso sauce, then caramelizing them lightly under the grill. With its melt-in-the-mouth texture and intense umami, nasu dengaku is an explosion of flavors that goes perfectly with a bowl of rice.
An origin rooted in the Dengaku tradition
The term "dengaku" (田楽) refers to a cooking method where food is grilled and then brushed with miso sauce. This technique dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), when pieces of tofu, vegetables or even fish were skewered on sticks and grilled before being coated with sauce.
The name "dengaku" comes from the ritual dances of the same name, where dancers wore outfits reminiscent of the layout of traditional skewers. Today, nasu dengaku has become one of the most popular variants of this technique.
A vegetarian dish with intense flavour
Eggplant is particularly prized in Japan for its melt-in-the-mouth texture and ability to absorb flavors. Grilled, it becomes slightly smoky and soft, while the miso sauce adds an incomparable umami richness.
Different regions of Japan have their own variations of dengaku sauce, but the basics often remain the same:
- Miso (white or red): for a deep umami flavour.
- Mirin and sugar: to add a touch of sweetness and balance the miso's saltiness.
- Sake: to round out the sauce and soften the bitterness of the miso.
Nasu Dengaku in Japanese culture
A signature dish of the izakaya (Japanese bars), nasu dengaku is often served with sake or beer. Its rich flavor makes it a favorite with vegetarians and umami lovers alike.
Eggplant is also found in many Japanese proverbs. One of the most famous, "秋茄子は嫁に食わすな" (Aki nasu wa yome ni kuwassuna), can be translated as "Don't give autumn eggplants to your daughter-in-law". The interpretation varies: for some, it means that eggplants are too good to share, while others see it as a warning about their supposed cooling effect on the body.
