Saikyo Miso Yaki Halibut & Pickled Orka

Saikyo-yaki is a classic Japanese fish dish, typically made with cod, which is marinated in Saikyo miso and then grilled.

If you’ve traveled to Japan, you’ll notice that almost every izakaya features Saikyo-yaki, and it’s also a common home-cooked dish in Japan. The sauce for Saikyo-yaki is based on white miso, with different chefs adding their own seasonings such as sake, mirin, sugar, and more. Its simple preparation and outstanding flavor make it very popular. This time, I’ve used halibut instead of cod. Halibut has a smoother texture, but if you prefer cod, you can use the same recipe with cod!

Ingredients (serve 2)

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Saikyo Miso Yaki Halibut

Halibut Fillet	2 pcs
White Miso	1.5 tbsp
Sake	1 tbsp
Mirin	1 tbsp
Lemon	2 wedges
Japanese Pickled Ginger	to taste
Daikon	to taste

Okra

Okra	6 each
White Sesame	1 tsp
Sugar	1 tsp
Sesame	2 tsp
Soy Sauce	1 tbsp
Rice Vinegar	1 tbsp
Ice Water	1 bowl

Steps

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1. Pat the halibut dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

2. Mix the white miso, sake, and mirin until fully combined.

3. Spread the miso mixture evenly on both sides of the halibut. Refrigerate for 1 hour or more (overnight is better).

4. Wash and pat dry the okra with a little salt water. Grate the Japanese daikon into a fine puree. Cut the lemon into wedges. Mix the sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to make the dressing.

5. Bring a pot of water to a boil, blanch the okra for 1 minute. Remove the okras and refresh them in ice water for 5 minutes.

6. Slice the okra into thick pieces, toss with the prepared Japanese-style vinegar dressing, and add white sesame seeds. Mix well.

7. Preheat the oven to 240°C (464°F). Remove the halibut from the fridge and scrape off any excess miso paste. Place the fish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-15 minutes until done.

8. Serve the halibut with lemon wedges, daikon radish puree, and pickled ginger on the side. Accompany it with the cold pickled okra as a side dish, and enjoy with Japanese rice for an irresistible meal!