Spicy and Refreshing Eggplant Appetizer
Japanese AppetizerSake SnackVegetarianEasy Recipes
Tangy, light eggplant appetizer with vinegar and spice—perfect with sake.
This Spicy and Refreshing Eggplant Appetizer is a light, tangy side dish that highlights the natural softness of eggplant with a zesty kick. By seasoning it with vinegar and a touch of chili oil, the dish becomes both refreshing and flavorful, making it an excellent complement to sake. It’s also very versatile—if you’re not a fan of spice, you can simply leave out the chili oil. Garnishing with finely chopped green onions brings brightness, while adding grated garlic offers an extra punch. Easy to prepare and customizable, this appetizer is perfect for casual dinners, entertaining guests, or enjoying alongside a chilled glass of sake."
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 5 minutes
- Total Time
- 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 medium Japanese eggplants
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp chili oil (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1 small clove garlic, grated (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp finely chopped green onions
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- 1Wash the eggplants and cut them into bite-sized strips. Lightly sprinkle with salt and let them sit for 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- 2Steam or microwave the eggplant pieces until tender, about 3–4 minutes. Let them cool slightly.
- 3In a mixing bowl, combine rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili oil. If you’d like an extra kick, add the grated garlic.
- 4Toss the eggplant in the sauce until well coated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- 5Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped green onions. Enjoy as a refreshing sake snack or light side dish.