Salmon Nanbanzuke is a refreshing, tangy Japanese home-style dish that is especially perfect for summer. I didn’t particularly like Nanbanzuke as a child, but as I grew older, it became one of those Japanese dishes I sometimes find myself craving. The salmon and colorful vegetables are marinated together in a light, sweet-and-sour sauce, making it a delicious way to enjoy both fish and vegetables in one dish. Despite its complex flavor, the ingredients are simple, and it’s easy to make at home.
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- Salmon: 1 lb (450 g)
- Potato starch or cornstarch: 2 ½ Tbsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Vegetable oil: 4 Tbsp
For the Vegetables
- Carrot: 1 small
- Onion: ½ medium
- Mini bell peppers: 4–5
- Vegetable oil: 1 Tbsp
For the Marinade
- Dashi: 1 ¼ cups (300 ml)
- Rice vinegar: ¾ cup
- Sugar: 4 ½ Tbsp
- Soy sauce: 4 Tbsp
- Mirin: 1 Tbsp
Instructions
1. Make the marinade
In a microwave-safe container, combine the dashi, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Microwave at 1,200 watts for 1–2 minutes. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved, then transfer the marinade to a shallow dish. A dish with a lid is ideal for marinating.
2. Prepare the vegetables
Thinly slice the carrot, onion, and mini bell peppers.
3. Prepare the salmon
Cut the salmon into pieces about 2 inches in size. Season with salt and pepper, then coat evenly with potato starch or cornstarch. A small fine-mesh strainer makes it easy to dust the starch evenly over the salmon.
4. Cook the vegetables
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the vegetables and sauté until they become tender. Transfer the vegetables to the marinade.
5. Pan-fry the salmon
Add 4 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan and heat over medium heat. Add the salmon and pan-fry for about 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden brown and cooked through. Drain the excess oil well, then transfer the salmon to the marinade while it is still warm.
The salmon can be enjoyed right away, or refrigerated and marinated for 2–3 hours for even more flavor.
Recipe Tip
Don’t overcook the vegetables: Sauté the vegetables just until they become tender while still retaining a little texture. They will continue to soften slightly as they marinate.
FAQ
A. Yes. Potato starch gives the salmon a light, crisp coating, but cornstarch works well too and is an easy substitute.
A. Absolutely! Nanbanzuke can be made with other fish such as white fish, mackerel, or trout.
Salmon Nanbanzuke (Marinated Salmon)
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 1 lb Salmon
- 2 ½ tablespoon Potato starch or cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 4 tablespoon Vegetable oil
For the Vegetables
- 1 Carrot / small
- ½ Onion / medium
- 4-5 pieces Mini bell peppers
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
For the Marinade
- 1 ¼ cups Dashi
- ¾ cup Rice vinegar
- 4 ½ tablespoon Sugar
- 4 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Mirin
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a microwave-safe container, combine the dashi, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Microwave at 1,200 watts for 1–2 minutes. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved, then transfer the marinade to a shallow dish. A dish with a lid is ideal for marinating.
- Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the carrot, onion, and mini bell peppers.
- Prepare the salmon: Cut the salmon into pieces about 2 inches in size. Season with salt and pepper, then coat evenly with potato starch or cornstarch. A small fine-mesh strainer makes it easy to dust the starch evenly over the salmon.
- Cook the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the vegetables and sauté until they become tender. Transfer the vegetables to the marinade.
- Pan-fry the salmon: Add 4 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same pan and heat over medium heat. Add the salmon and pan-fry for about 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden brown and cooked through. Drain the excess oil well, then transfer the salmon to the marinade while it is still warm.The salmon can be enjoyed right away, or refrigerated and marinated for 2–3 hours for even more flavor.
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