Nobu Miso Cod is a restaurant-quality dish that transforms simple cod fillets into a rich and flavorful delight. The miso marinade, which is both savory and slightly sweet, beautifully caramelizes when broiled, creating a glossy golden crust while keeping the cod tender and succulent. This dish is perfect for impressing guests or elevating a weeknight dinner, offering an elegant yet simple culinary experience.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 black cod fillets (6 oz each), skin on

• ¼ cup white miso paste

• 2 tablespoons mirin

• 2 tablespoons sake

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)

• Lemon or yuzu wedges, for serving

• Thinly sliced scallions or microgreens, for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the white miso paste, mirin, sake, sugar, soy sauce, and grated ginger until smooth.

2. Marinate the Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Place them in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over the fish, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.

3. Broil the Cod: Preheat your oven broiler to high and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Remove the cod from the marinade, wiping off excess marinade to prevent burning. Place fillets skin-side down on the prepared pan.

4. Cooking: Broil the fish about 5-7 inches from the heat source for 8-12 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a caramelized golden-brown glaze on top.

5. Serve: Remove the cod from the oven and let it rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with sliced scallions or microgreens and serve with lemon or yuzu wedges.

Nutrients

• Serving Size: 1 fillet

• Calories: 295 kcal

• Total Fat: 3g

• Saturated Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 99mg

• Sodium: 1003mg

• Carbohydrates: 19g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 12g

• Protein: 45g

A Deep Dive into the Miso Marinade

The marinade is the heart of Nobu Miso Cod. It’s a simple yet flavorful blend of white miso paste, mirin, sake, sugar, and soy sauce, with an optional kick of fresh ginger for extra depth. Each of these ingredients plays a crucial role in creating the dish’s rich and harmonious flavor profile.

• White Miso Paste: White miso is mild and slightly sweet compared to darker miso varieties, making it an ideal base for the marinade. It’s known for its umami-rich characteristics, contributing to the savory notes of the dish without overpowering the delicate flavor of the cod.

• Mirin and Sake: These two ingredients provide a subtle sweetness and a bit of acidity. Mirin is a sweet rice wine that gives the dish a slight syrupy taste, while sake—a Japanese rice wine—adds a gentle, fermented flavor that balances the richness of the miso paste. Together, these ingredients create a sauce that is both savory and sweet, infusing the cod with a deep, multi-layered flavor.

• Sugar: A small amount of sugar ensures that the miso marinade achieves the perfect caramelization when broiled, giving the cod a golden-brown, glossy crust. This caramelization also enhances the sweetness of the dish, which contrasts beautifully with the savory miso and salty soy sauce.

• Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a classic ingredient in Japanese cuisine, adding saltiness and umami to the marinade. The combination of miso and soy sauce results in a deep, savory backbone to the dish that perfectly complements the cod.

• Fresh Ginger (Optional): Ginger adds an aromatic zing to the marinade, offering a hint of warmth and a bit of spiciness. This ingredient isn’t strictly necessary but can elevate the flavor profile, especially if you love the interplay of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.

The marinating time—24 to 48 hours—is also key to the success of this dish. Allowing the cod fillets to soak up the miso marinade for an extended period allows the fish to absorb all of those wonderful flavors, ensuring a succulent, flavorful bite with every forkful.

Perfecting the Cooking Technique: Broiling for a Golden, Caramelized Finish

The key to achieving that coveted golden-brown glaze is broiling the cod fillets at a high temperature. Broiling is ideal for this dish because it exposes the fish to intense heat from above, allowing the miso marinade to caramelize and form a glossy crust while the fish remains tender and moist inside.

The technique is simple: Preheat your oven broiler to high, and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make cleanup easy. When placing the cod fillets on the baking sheet, be sure to position them skin-side down. This allows the skin to crisp up slightly, adding texture and helping to hold the fillet together as it cooks. The skin also helps keep the fish from drying out, ensuring it remains juicy and flavorful.

Broil the fillets about 5 to 7 inches from the heat source for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. The cod should be opaque and flaky when it’s done, with a caramelized golden-brown glaze on top. If you prefer a slightly crispier finish, you can broil for an additional 1-2 minutes—just be careful not to overcook the fish.

A Fresh and Zesty Finish: Garnishing and Serving

Once the cod is out of the oven, allow it to rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute throughout the fish, keeping it moist and flavorful.

For the perfect finishing touch, garnish the cod with thinly sliced scallions or microgreens for a fresh burst of color and a slight oniony crunch. These add a refreshing contrast to the rich miso flavors. Serve the cod with lemon or yuzu wedges for a tangy citrus kick that balances the sweetness of the caramelized miso crust. The acidity from the citrus helps cut through the richness of the fish, creating a harmonious bite.

Serving Suggestions: Pairing and Plating

Nobu Miso Cod is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. For a complete meal, pair it with steamed jasmine rice or sushi rice, which will soak up the flavorful glaze and complement the fish beautifully. The rice also adds a gentle backdrop to the strong, savory flavors of the cod.

For a lighter meal, serve the fish with a fresh green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette or a side of grilled vegetables, such as asparagus, bok choy, or roasted mushrooms. The vegetables will add texture and provide a mild contrast to the rich flavors of the cod.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also serve the fish with kimchi for a spicy and tangy kick or a seaweed salad for added depth of flavor and texture.

Why This Dish is Perfect for Special Occasions

Nobu Miso Cod is an exceptional dish that combines high-end ingredients and easy preparation, making it perfect for both everyday meals and special occasions. The elegance and flavor complexity of this dish make it ideal for impressing guests at dinner parties, while the simplicity of the preparation ensures you won’t spend all day in the kitchen.

The caramelized miso glaze and tender fish will undoubtedly be the centerpiece of any meal. Whether it’s for a festive occasion, a holiday dinner, or just a special weeknight treat, this dish will elevate any dining experience and provide a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Conclusion: A Show-Stopping Dish That’s Easy to Make

Nobu Miso Cod is a dish that exudes luxury and elegance while remaining easy to prepare in your own kitchen. The rich miso marinade, caramelized crust, and tender, succulent fish make it a restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special. The balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors in this dish will have your taste buds dancing, and the presentation will leave everyone at the table in awe. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can enjoy this incredible dish at home and make any meal feel like a celebration.