Ecomely

Language

Chawanmushi: photo of the dish
Illustrative photo: Brücke-Osteuropa — CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Salads & starters

Chawanmushi

A savoury egg custard with a very smooth, wobbly texture, steamed in a small cup. A traditional starter in Japanese cuisine, flavoured with dashi and garnished with delicate pieces.

Made it? Rate this recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients

Spices & seasoning

Optional extras

Instructions

  1. Lightly beat the eggs without making them frothy, then add the cold dashi, the soy sauce, the mirin and a pinch of salt.
  2. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to get a really smooth texture.
  3. Divide the garnishes (prawns, shiitake) between four small cups or ramekins.
  4. Pour the egg mixture gently over the garnishes, letting it rest for a few seconds to release any bubbles.
  5. Cover each cup with a plate or cling film and steam over a low heat for 12 to 15 minutes.
  6. The custard is ready when it has just set and the centre no longer runs. Serve warm with a garnish of spring onion.

Variations and tips

Vegetarian version. Replace the dashi with a kombu and shiitake broth, without fish, and garnish with vegetables only.

More ideas

Original Ecomely recipe.