Popularized by Nobu Matsuhisa in his eponymous restaurant, Black Cod with Miso has become an instant classic associated with Japanese food. The irony is that black cod (or more accurately Sablefish), is not native to the waters around Japan and is imported from the US and Canada.
Contrary to popular belief, Sablefish is actually not a type of cod at all, yet its similar appearance has gotten it nicknamed black cod, silver cod, blue cod, and coal cod depending on where you live. It’s rich flaky white meat is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and in terms of texture, it’s a dead ringer for Patagonian Toothfish (a.k.a. Chilean Sea Bass)
While both suffer from a case of mistaken identity, and have a similar texture, there is one important distinction between the two. Patagonian Toothfish is overfished and not sustainable because of its lifecycle, as well as how it’s typically caught. Sablefish on the other hand earns a FSSI (Fish Stock Sustainability Index) of 4 (the best possible rating) from the NOAA, making it an excellent alternative.
In Japanese cuisine rich fish like “gindara” (銀鱈 - silver cod) are often prepared as kasuzuke and grilled. Marinated for a few days in sakekasu (the lees leftover from the production of sake), the fish takes on a marvelous earthy flavor that compliments the rich creamy texture of the sablefish. The trouble is that it’s difficult to find sakekasu in the US, which is probably one of the reasons why Nobu chose another common way of marinate fish: misozuke.
Miso is a flavorful, fermented soybean paste, rich in umami, that is a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine. It’s used in everything from soups to sauces, and when it’s combined with some sake and sugar it creates an addictive marinade that’s perfect for pairing with fatty fish like Black Cod or Splendid Alfonsino.
Serve this Miso Glazed Cod with Japanese short grain rice , ohitashi , and Japanese pickles . It also packs well into a bento box, like my Japanese Breakfast Bento . You’ll be eating like you woke up in a Ryokan .
📖 Recipe
Units
Ingredients1x2x3x
- 1 teaspoon ginger juice
- 2 tablespoons yellow miso
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 teaspoons evaporated cane sugar
- 2 pieces Sablefish (a.k.a. Black Cod)
Instructions
- To make the ginger juice, just grate the ginger into a bowl and squeeze the pulp to get the juice. Put the miso, mirin, sugar and ginger juice into a Ziploc bag and swish it around to combine.
- Add the sablefish to the bag and move the fish around to coat evenly. Press out as much air from the bag as you can (I usually set the bag on the countertop, partially seal the bag, then press out the air before sealing it all the way). This helps the marinade surround the fish. Put the bag in the fridge and marinate for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.
- When you’re ready to grill it, move your oven rack to the upper middle position and preheat your broiler for about 5 minutes. Oil a wire rack with a paper towel and vegetable oil, then place it over a baking sheet.
- Scape the excess marinade off each fillet with your fingers, and then place the sablefish on the rack. Put the sheet in the oven and grill until golden brown, and the meat flakes easily.
- Serve the miso glazed cod with steamed rice.
Miso Glazed Cod
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ginger juice
- 2 tablespoons yellow miso
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 teaspoons evaporated cane sugar
- 2 pieces Sablefish (a.k.a. Black Cod)
Instructions
- To make the ginger juice, just grate the ginger into a bowl and squeeze the pulp to get the juice. Put the miso, mirin, sugar and ginger juice into a Ziploc bag and swish it around to combine.
- Add the sablefish to the bag and move the fish around to coat evenly. Press out as much air from the bag as you can (I usually set the bag on the countertop, partially seal the bag, then press out the air before sealing it all the way). This helps the marinade surround the fish. Put the bag in the fridge and marinate for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.
- When you’re ready to grill it, move your oven rack to the upper middle position and preheat your broiler for about 5 minutes. Oil a wire rack with a paper towel and vegetable oil, then place it over a baking sheet.
- Scape the excess marinade off each fillet with your fingers, and then place the sablefish on the rack. Put the sheet in the oven and grill until golden brown, and the meat flakes easily.
- Serve the miso glazed cod with steamed rice.
