Japanese-Style Flavoured Onions Recipe

This Japanese-style flavored onion recipe is an easy way to add depth and umami to your meals. The onions become tender and soak up a savory sauce made with soy sauce, mirin, and gochujang, while a touch of sesame oil and green onions finish the dish with fragrance and flavor. It's a versatile side dish that pairs wonderfully with rice or even as a topping for other Asian-inspired meals.

@cupfuldays Japanese-Style Flavoured Onions Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Dish

This dish is all about simple ingredients and bold flavors. The onions soften as they absorb the umami from soy sauce and mirin, creating a savory, slightly sweet profile that is balanced by the heat from gochujang and the aromatic kick of garlic and ginger paste.

The optional chili flakes add a bit of spice for those who like it hot, but the dish is just as delicious without them. The sesame seeds and sesame oil lend a subtle nuttiness that perfectly complements the onions' sweetness, while the chopped green onions add a fresh, vibrant finish.

While this dish isn't crunchy, it offers a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs beautifully with plain rice. Whether you're preparing a quick weeknight meal or adding a flavorful touch to a larger spread, this Japanese-style onion dish will elevate your meal with minimal effort.

@cupfuldays Japanese-Style Flavoured Onions Recipe

Japanese-Style Flavored Onion Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 onions (or 2 whole, depending on what you have)

• 100 ml water

• 1 tbsp light soya sauce

• 1 tbsp mirin

• 1/2 tbsp cooking sake

• 1/2 tbsp sugar

• 1/2 tbsp gochujang

• 1/2 tbsp garlic paste

• 1/2 tbsp ginger paste

• Dash of sesame seeds

• Dash of sesame oil

• Chopped green onions (for garnish)

• Optional: Chili flakes (for added heat) Instructions:

  1. Fry the Onions: Slice the onions into large chunks. Heat a pan over medium heat and sauté the onions until they become soft and golden brown. Transfer them to a bowl and set aside.

  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a separate pot, combine the water, light soya sauce, mirin, cooking sake, sugar, gochujang, garlic paste, ginger paste. Cook and mix until the sauce is smooth and fully blended

  3. Combine the Onions and Sauce: Pour the sauce over the cooked onions, ensuring that the onions are evenly coated.

  4: Add the Finishing Touches: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the onions, drizzle with sesame oil, and top with chopped green onions for freshness and optional chilli flakes. Stir to combine, ensuring the onions are fully coated in the sauce.

  5. Chill and Serve: Let the dish cool slightly, then cover it low with cling wrap and an air-tight lid, and refrigerate for at least one hour. The onions will soak up more of the sauce as they chill, enhancing the flavors.

If you made this recipe, I would love to see it! Tag me on my Instagram @cupfuldays