Chawanmushi Recipe
Japanese · Appetizer · 35 min total
Chawanmushi is a delicate Japanese savory egg custard steamed in a tea cup, filled with chicken, shrimp, and mushrooms in a dashi-based broth. This recipe yields a silky, umami-rich dish perfect as an appetizer or light meal.
15
min prep
min prep
20
min cook
min cook
4
servings
servings
180
kcal/serving
kcal/serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups dashi (or 2 cups water + 1 tsp dashi powder)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 oz boneless skinless chicken thigh, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 4 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into thirds
- 4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 4 slices kamaboko (fish cake), optional
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced for garnish
- 1/2 cup water (for steaming)
Instructions
- Prepare dashi: if using dashi powder, dissolve 1 tsp in 2 cups hot water. Let cool to room temperature.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs gently without incorporating too much air. Add dashi, mirin, soy sauce, and salt. Whisk until combined. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup or bowl.
- Divide chicken, shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms evenly among 4 chawanmushi cups or small heatproof bowls (about 4-6 oz capacity).
- Pour the egg mixture into each cup, filling about 80% full. Gently stir each cup with a chopstick to distribute ingredients.
- Prepare a steamer: bring water to a boil in a pot fitted with a steamer basket. Reduce heat to low (water should be simmering, not boiling). Place cups in the steamer, cover with a lid (wrap lid with a kitchen towel to prevent condensation from dripping).
- Steam over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until custard is set but still jiggly in the center. A skewer inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Remove cups from steamer. Garnish with green onion and a slice of kamaboko if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- For a silkier texture, ensure the egg mixture is well strained and steam on low heat to avoid bubbles.
- Chawanmushi can be made ahead and reheated gently in a steamer or microwave.
- Substitute dashi with chicken or vegetable broth if unavailable.
AI estimate may be inaccurate · Terms