Mid-golden, caramel-glazed fillet of fish, gently charred on its edges, seated on a black lacquer plate. Garnished with microgreens and thinly-sliced radishes at its side, adding to the subtle elegance. A small dish of vibrant, freshly grated wasabi roots complements the plating.

Saikyo Yaki: Grilled Miso-Marinated Fish

Name: Saikyo Yaki: Grilled Miso-Marinated Fish
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: white fleshed fish (eg: seabass, snapper or cod), 4 fillets, each about 200g; Saikyo miso (white miso from Kyoto), 1 cup; sake, 3 tablespoons; mirin, 2 tablespoons; microgreens, for garnish; radishes, for garnish; wasabi root, freshly grated; vegetable oil, for grilling; salt, a pinch; sugar, a pinch

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style Japanese

Technique Grilling

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: October 22, 2023

Why not savor the elegance of 'Kyoto's Kitchen' with Saikyo Yaki, a classic festive dish from the Kyoto area, served during traditional Japanese festivals like Jidai Matsuri. Made with Saikyo miso, a naturally sweet white miso from Kyoto, it gives a luscious flavor when marinated with fish. This dish pairs tradition with simple ingredients and sumptuous flavors.

Ingredients (for 4)

White fleshed fish (eg: seabass, snapper or cod) - 4 fillets, each about 200g
Saikyo miso (white miso from kyoto) - 1 cup
Sake - 3 tablespoons
Mirin - 2 tablespoons
Microgreens - - for garnish
Radishes - - for garnish
Wasabi root - - freshly grated
Vegetable oil - - for grilling
Salt - a pinch
Sugar - a pinch

Preparation

Step 1 - 🥣🥢🍚

In a bowl, mix together Saikyo miso, sake, mirin, salt, and sugar until you get a smooth marination sauce.
Step 2 - 🐟🥣🌙

Lay the fish fillets in a shallow dish, pour over the marinade, ensuring each fillet is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 days.
Step 3 - 🔥🐟🩹

Preheat your grill. Gently wipe off the excess marinade from the fillets (don't rinse), brush with a bit of oil and place on the grill rack.
Step 4 - 🐟🔥⏲️

Grill each side of the fish for about 4-5 minutes or until fully cooked and the surface looks caramelized with a few char spots.
Step 5 - 🍽️🌱🍣

Plate your grilled fish, garnish with radishes and microgreens. Serve with a side of freshly grated wasabi.

Additional

Saikyo Yaki represents the preservation techniques used in olden Kyoto due to its lack of access to fresh fish. A longer marinade deepens the flavor, but don't marinate for more than 3 days. Kids can help with preparing the marinade and garnishing.