Steamed Rice with Eggplant and Tuna
Tender, melt in your mouth eggplant and savory tuna come together in this incredibly easy Japanese seasoned rice. Every bite is packed with rich umami, making it a comforting dish that's perfect for everyday meals or as a satisfying finish after drinks.
What to drink with it
Looking for an easy Japanese rice dish that feels both comforting and satisfying? This Eggplant and Tuna Takikomi Gohan is made with just a handful of pantry staples, yet delivers incredible flavor with almost no effort.
As the rice cooks, the eggplant becomes irresistibly tender and buttery while soaking up the savory seasoning and the rich umami from the tuna. Every spoonful is packed with flavor, and if you're lucky enough to get some crispy golden rice at the bottom, it's an extra treat. It's perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even as a comforting late night meal after enjoying a few drinks.
What you'll need
- 2 cups Japanese short grain rice
- 2 Japanese eggplants
- 1 can tuna, drained (about 70 g / 2.5 oz)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
How to make it
Rinse the rice as usual, soak it briefly, then drain well. Transfer it to a rice cooker, add water up to the 2 cup line, and cut the eggplants into bite sized chunks.
Add the eggplant, drained tuna, soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil to the rice cooker. Cook using the regular rice setting.
Once cooked, gently fold everything together from the bottom, being careful not to break up the softened eggplant too much. Serve in bowls and garnish with sliced green onions if desired.
Tips
- Japanese eggplants become especially tender and creamy after cooking, but globe eggplants work just as well if that's what you have.
- For even more umami, add 1 teaspoon of Japanese dashi powder before cooking.
- Soy sauce and mirin can be replaced with Japanese noodle soup base (mentsuyu). Adjust the amount to suit the concentration of your mentsuyu.
- Instead of tuna, try using chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins, or pork belly for an equally delicious variation.
What to drink with it
