This Spicy Miso Sauce is a versatile and vibrant addition to your kitchen arsenal, perfect for elevating any seafood dish! With its rich, umami-packed miso base and a kick of heat, this sauce will transform your seafood into a flavorful, resultant level experience. Whether you’re drizzling it over grilled shrimp or squid, you’ll love how it enhances every bite with a deliciously spicy twist!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love about this Spicy Miso Sauce is how I crafted it to be the ultimate dipping companion for seafood dishes, and it truly shines! Made with a base of Japanese-style miso, this sauce delivers a punch of umami and just the right amount of spicy heat. I originally created this for my Japanese Seared Salmon and Grilled Squid dishes, and the results were fantastic so I decided to make a dedicated recipe for it!
By adapting my Miso Garlic Sauce, I came up with a unique blend that’s perfect for any seafood or shellfish! It’s super easy to make—just mix everything together—and it’s ready in no time. Whether you’re enjoying it with my Japanese Style Shrimp, Stir Fry Shrimp, Seared Scallops, or even using it as a versatile sauce for Pork Shabu Shabu, this dipping sauce will elevate your meal. Trust me, you’ll want to whip this up right away and experience its incredible flavor!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Miso – I recommend using awase brown Miso but you can sub with white miso or red miso. Used as the base flavor of the sauce.
- Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets. The sake adds umami notes to the sauce and helps with the consistency.
- Garlic – freshly grated garlic.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Chili Oil – Asian style chili oil also known as La Yu. Can be found in most Asian supermarkets.
🥢 Miso Paste Note
You have three miso paste options: White Miso, which is mild and sweet; Red Miso, known for its robust and salty flavor; and Brown Miso, or Awase Miso, offering a balanced blend of salty, sweet, and umami. I recommend using Awase Miso for this sauce.
🍶 Mirin Note
While Mirin, can be used to make miso sauce, we’ve modified this recipe to accommodate areas where mirin might not be readily available by adjusting the amounts of sake and sweetener used instead.
Directions
Step 1 Start by boiling out Japanese sake in a skillet for 15-20 seconds.
🍶Boiling Sake Pro Tip
For a quicker alternative to boiling sake, you can simply Microwave for 30-45 Seconds.
Step 2 Combine boiled sake, sweetener, grated garlic, chili oil and miso paste. Mix until the miso paste is melted.
🌿 Garnishing Pro Tip
For best presentation, sprinkle a touch of Ground Red Pepper on top of your sauce.
Recipe Variations
If you’re after a non-spicy version of this sauce, just leave out the chili oil and you’ll have my Miso Garlic Dipping Sauce, which offers the same rich umami flavor without the heat!
Pairing Recommendations
This sauce is an excellent match for a variety of seafood dishes, enhancing the flavors of my Miso Salmon or Boiled Squid with its bold, umami-packed profile. It also makes a great dipping sauce for shabu shabu dishes, such as my Chicken Shabu Shabu, adding a flavorful kick to your meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I adjust the spice level of the sauce?
Yes, you can control the spice level by adding more or less chili oil according to your taste.
Can I use this sauce with dishes other than seafood?
Absolutely! It also works well as a dipping sauce for dishes like chicken, pork, shabu shabu or even drizzled over vegetables.
What type of miso paste should I use?
I recommend using brown or awase miso paste.
Can I make this sauce in advance?
Yes, you can prepare it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Storage Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will last for 14 to 21 days.
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Watch How To Make It
Spicy Miso Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Miso
- 1 Clove Garlic grated
- 1 1/2 tbsp Japanese Sake
- 1/2 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 1/2 tsp Chili Oil la yu
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Add Japanese sake to a skillet and let it boil for 15-20 seconds.
- Combine boiled sake, sweetener, miso, chili oil and grated garlic in a mixing bowl.
