Craving a tasty eggplant recipe? This Sauteed Japanese Eggplant with Ponzu Sauce is perfect for you! Savor the tender eggplant paired perfectly with the zesty kick of our homemade sauce!
The eggplant – my absolute favorite summer vegetable! I've tried countless ways to cook it, but nothing beats this sauteed version!
Creating this dish is a breeze! Sauté fresh eggplants in a pan, give them a friendly toss in the tangy sauce and sprinkle a bit of scallion on top. You're all set to enjoy the best flavors of this dish!
- This recipe is for you if:
- You love eggplant.
- You are looking for a Japanese eggplant recipe.
- You want to make sauteed Japanese eggplant.
If you want to check the recipe immediately, please visit the link below. Let's get started!
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About This Recipe
- Easy and quick eggplant recipe ready in 10 minutes
- Homemade ponzu sauce
- Tasty and flavorful side dish
📋 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients (amounts are in the recipe card below).
- Eggplants - Use Japanese eggplants in this recipe. See below.
- Cooking Oil - I love using sesame oil, but you can also go with vegetable, olive, or avocado.
- Ponzu sauce - Ponzu is a flavorful and versatile citrus-based sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine. We will make it with soy sauce, rice vinegar, lemon, and ginger.
- Scallions for the topping.
Japanese Eggplants
Japanese eggplants, called Nasu in Japanese, are slim and long, unlike regular globe eggplants. They are shorter than Chinese eggplants but have a dark purple color, almost black.
Their thin skin makes them perfect for quick cooking methods like stir-frying, deep-frying, and sautéing. This allows them to absorb flavors easily and stay tender.
You can usually find Japanese eggplants at Japanese or Asian grocery stores. However, if they are unavailable, Chinese eggplant is the best substitute.
Selecting the Perfect Eggplant
Here are a few tips for selecting a fresh eggplant at the grocery store:
- Look for a dark purple color with a glossy sheen.
- It should feel firm and heavy when you hold it.
- Check that the end of the stem appears fresh and vibrant.
- Notice if sharp thorns are still present on the stem.
Where to Buy Japanese Ingredients
If you live in the US, you can find Japanese ingredients in the list below.
- Japanese market: Mitsuwa Marketplace, Marukai
- Asian market
- Whole Foods Market
- Health food stores
- Online stores: Instacart, Walmart, Amazon
🔪Instructions
Let's go over how to make this simple recipe. Click here to watch the recipe video!
1. Remove the stem of the eggplant and cut it in half. Create several diagonal notches on the surface and divide it into quarters.
2. Grate the ginger.
3. Combine the grated ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
4. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the sesame oil. Place the eggplant slices in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until tender.
5. Flip them over and cook for a few more minutes.
6. Reduce the heat, add the sauce, toss gently, and let absorb flavors for a minute.
Serve
Transfer the dish onto a plate and sprinkle chopped scallions and extra grated ginger for added flavor. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Choose eggplants that are firm and shiny for the best results.
- You can adjust the amount of ponzu sauce according to your taste preferences. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add some sugar.
What To Serve With
Serve the sauteed Japanese eggplant as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a light main course. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice, miso soup, and alongside other Japanese dishes.
Other Ways to Cook Japanese Eggplants
Eggplant is a versatile vegetable and well-suited for quick cooking methods such as stir-frying, deep-frying, and sautéing. Here are some delicious eggplant recipes:
- Eggplant Tempura (Deep Fried Eggplant)
- Teriyaki Nasu
- Pickled Japanese Eggplants
- Panko-crusted Fried Eggplants
- Miso Glazed Japanese Eggplant
Thanks For Stopping By!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡ . If you’ve tried this recipe (or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!
Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!
Chef JA Cooks is a Japanese food blog that shares simple and healthy Japanese home cooking recipes, including vegan and vegetarian. From traditional Japanese recipes to modern recipes with step-by-step instructions.
More Vegetable Dishes You Might Like
- Pickled Cucumber
- Nukazuke (Japanese Rice Bran Pickles)
- Summer Vegetable Miso Soup
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📖 Recipe
Sauteed Japanese Eggplant With Ponzu Sauce
Print Pin SaveIngredients
- 2 Eggplants, medium size, 300g
- 2 tablespoon Sesame oil
- 1 clove Ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- ½ tablespoon Rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon Lemon juice, one wedge
- 1 teaspoon Scallions, chopped, optional
Instructions
- Cut eggplant: Remove the stem of the eggplant and cut it in half. Create several diagonal notches on the surface and divide it into quarters.
- Grate the ginger.
- Make the ponzu sauce: Combine the grated ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Cook eggplant: Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the sesame oil. Place the eggplant slices in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until tender.
- Cook the other side: Flip them over and cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the sauce: Reduce the heat, add the sauce, toss gently, and let absorb flavors for a minute.
- Serve: Transfer to a plate and sprinkle chopped scallions.
Video
Notes
- Choose eggplants that are firm and shiny for the best results.
- Adjust the amount of ponzu sauce according to your taste preferences. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add some sugar.
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