Treat it right, and the unassuming eggplant becomes one of the more flavorful veggies out there. With its thick, easy-to-crisp skin and firm texture, Japanese eggplant is perfect for roasting in a dinnertime pinch.


Easy Roasted Japanese Eggplant Recipe

Japanese eggplant is a long and slender cultivar of eggplant (*Solanum melongena*, also called aubergine) with delicate skin and a mild, sweet flavor. You can use Japanese eggplants in many Asian dishes, such as *nasu dengaku* and *nasu agebitashi*, and Western Italian-inspired eggplant dishes, like [eggplant parmesan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-classic-eggplant-parmesan). 

Like roasted Brussels sprouts, zucchini, or sweet potatoes, roasted Japanese eggplant is an easy and versatile gluten-free side dish or appetizer. Here are a few ways to cook the robust vegetable:

1. __Grill__: *Nasu dengaku*, a simple presentation of grilled eggplant brushed with a miso glaze, is an easy and striking side dish: The sweetness of the [miso](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay) complements the savory, smoky flavor of the grilled eggplant, caramelizing along the surface as it cooks. Serve with torn, fresh mozzarella drizzled with aged balsamic, a generous amount of shaved parmesan, and sliced basil.
2. __Roast__: Japanese eggplant is ideal for slow roasting in the oven, where a longer cooking time can draw out its mild flavors and turn its flesh soft and creamy. Serve with various accompaniments, like an herb-based [chimichurri](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/healthy-quick-and-easy-chimichurri-recipe), salsa verde, or drizzled with a savory [tahini](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tahini-learn-how-to-use-tahini-in-cooking) sauce made from sesame seeds.
3. __Stir-fry__: Eggplant serves as a good vehicle for many flavors, so it’s a natural fit for the many layers of [stir-fry](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vegetable-stir-fry-recipe). Eggplant’s melt-in-the-mouth texture also adds a nuanced component to a dish like fried rice.
4. __Deep-fry__: In *nasu agebitashi*, thick eggplant slices are deep-fried and served in a soy sauce-based broth.

Treat it right, and the unassuming eggplant becomes one of the more flavorful veggies out there. With its thick, easy-to-crisp skin and firm texture, Japanese eggplant is perfect for roasting in a dinnertime pinch.


Japanese eggplant is a long and slender cultivar of eggplant (Solanum melongena, also called aubergine) with delicate skin and a mild, sweet flavor. You can use Japanese eggplants in many Asian dishes, such as nasu dengaku and nasu agebitashi, and Western Italian-inspired eggplant dishes, like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-classic-eggplant-parmesan' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-classic-eggplant-parmesan","linkCopy":"eggplant parmesan","category":null}'>eggplant parmesan</a>.

What Is Japanese Eggplant?

Like roasted Brussels sprouts, zucchini, or sweet potatoes, roasted Japanese eggplant is an easy and versatile gluten-free side dish or appetizer. Here are a few ways to cook the robust vegetable:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Grill: Nasu dengaku, a simple presentation of grilled eggplant brushed with a miso glaze, is an easy and striking side dish: The sweetness of the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay","linkCopy":"miso","category":null}'>miso</a> complements the savory, smoky flavor of the grilled eggplant, caramelizing along the surface as it cooks. Serve with torn, fresh mozzarella drizzled with aged balsamic, a generous amount of shaved parmesan, and sliced basil. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Roast: Japanese eggplant is ideal for slow roasting in the oven, where a longer cooking time can draw out its mild flavors and turn its flesh soft and creamy. Serve with various accompaniments, like an herb-based <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/healthy-quick-and-easy-chimichurri-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/healthy-quick-and-easy-chimichurri-recipe","linkCopy":"chimichurri","category":null}'>chimichurri</a>, salsa verde, or drizzled with a savory <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tahini-learn-how-to-use-tahini-in-cooking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tahini-learn-how-to-use-tahini-in-cooking","linkCopy":"tahini","category":null}'>tahini</a> sauce made from sesame seeds. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Stir-fry: Eggplant serves as a good vehicle for many flavors, so it’s a natural fit for the many layers of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vegetable-stir-fry-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/vegetable-stir-fry-recipe","linkCopy":"stir-fry","category":null}'>stir-fry</a>. Eggplant’s melt-in-the-mouth texture also adds a nuanced component to a dish like fried rice. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Deep-fry: In nasu agebitashi, thick eggplant slices are deep-fried and served in a soy sauce-based broth. </li></ol>

4 Ways to Cook Japanese Eggplant

Roasted Japanese Eggplant Recipe

Treat it right, and the unassuming eggplant becomes one of the more flavorful veggies out there. With its thick, easy-to-crisp skin and firm texture, Japanese eggplant is perfect for roasting in a dinnertime pinch.