油煤田楽 Aburiage dengaku

Fried Tofu Dengaku

#31 通品 Familiar

English Interpretation

Make abura-age, then toast it lightly. Spread miso on top and grill lightly. The aromas of oil and miso layer together wonderfully.

原文 · Original (1782)

油揚げを作りて、薄く炙るべし。味噌を塗りたる上に、軽く焼くべし。油と味噌の香り、相重なりて妙なり。

Transliteration

Aburiage wo tsukurite, usuku aburu beshi. Miso wo nuritaru ue ni, karuku yaku beshi. Abura to miso no kaori, ai-kasanari te tae nari.

Notes & Annotations

A hybrid technique combining frying with the miso-grilling of dengaku. The double cooking method adds richness.

English Recipe

Ingredients

  • fried tofu sheet 油揚げ 1 sheet (about 100 g)
    一枚 Thin fried tofu
  • white miso 味噌 1 tablespoon
    For dengaku coating
  • mirin 味醂 ½ teaspoon

Method

Serves 2

1. Prepare aburiage (thin fried tofu) by slicing firm tofu very thin and deep-frying until golden (see recipe 28).
2. Slice the fried sheet in half if desired, opening like a pocket.
3. Lightly grill or toast the aburiage.
4. Spread a thin layer of dengaku miso (1 tbsp white miso + ½ tsp mirin + ¼ tsp sugar) on the surface.
5. Return to the grill briefly until the miso sets and darkens slightly.

The richness of the oil meets the savour of miso — a richer, more flavourful dengaku than plain tofu. Often folded and served as a pouch.