Served in a dainty little teacup, chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し) is a classic appetizer on the menu in many sushi or Japanese restaurants. There are many variations based on seasonal ingredients, but some of the most common ones include shrimp, fish, and vegetables. It can be homey or fancy depending on what goes into the egg custard. To get you started, I’ll be sharing a basic chawanmushi recipe with chicken, along with suggestions for a vegetarian version.
What is Chawanmushi?
Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し) translates to ‘teacup steamed egg custard.’ We fill the egg mixture with ingredients such as ginkgo nuts, shiitake mushrooms, kamaboko (Japanese fish cake), and subtly flavored with dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. It is steamed in a cup and often served as a cold or hot appetizer. With its ivory color and lovely toppings, it is as tasty as it looks.
The texture: The steamed custard is smooth and silky, while the sweet-savory meat and vegetables lend a contrasting mouthfeel to the dish. And the broth adds a touch of juiciness, making each bite utterly satisfying and surprising. The flavor: You can expect a delicate yet complex flavor from a good cup of chawanmushi. There is a balance of sweetness and saltiness from the different components, while the seasonings—dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sake—contribute to an umami taste, which is key to making a delicious custard.
Ingredients for Chawanmushi
Eggs Dashi (Japanese soup stock) – I highly recommend making dashi from scratch or using a dashi packet (instead of dashi powder) since the broth defines the taste of the dish. Use Vegan Dashi for a vegetarian version. Seasonings: Soy sauce, mirin, sake, and salt Chicken – I used chicken tenders for the recipe, but it can be chicken thigh or breast. Skip for a vegetarian version. Kamaboko fish cake – Skip for a vegetarian version. Mushrooms – I used shimeji mushrooms. Ginkgo nuts (gin-nan) – Optional. Mitsuba or green onion
Vegetarian Substitutions
Instead of using chicken and fish cake, you can use various mushrooms and vegetables. Depending on your choice of ingredients, you may need to blanch or cook certain vegetables beforehand, such as carrots.
How to Make Chawanmushi
Chawanmushi Steamer Setups
Chawanmushi must be cooked with gentle heat, or the custard will develop small bubbles and a rough texture. You can use the following 3 methods to cook chawanmushi:
Cooking Tips
How to Enjoy Chawanmushi
Chawanmushi is typically served hot as an appetizer. Since the custard is very delicate and breaks easily, we eat chawanmushi with a small wooden or lacquer spoon.
Where to Buy Chawanmushi Cups
Chawanmushi is typically served in a special small cup with a lid. You can buy chawanmushi cups at JOC Goods. Alternatively, you can use heat-resistant ramekins, pretty little small bowls, or mugs to prepare the savory steamed custard. Just make sure they are not too thick as the heat will be hard to penetrate.
Other Delicious Chawanmushi Recipes
There is really nothing like a silky custard with a savory broth topped with delicacies to soothe the hungry stomach while you wait for the main meal to be served. I hope you give this recipe a try because it is easy and practical to make at home.
Chawanmushi with Shrimp Matsutake Chawanmushi Instant Pot Chawanmushi
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September 7, 2011. It’s been republished on October 2, 2022, with more content, new images, and a slightly revised recipe.
