Authentic Miso-Glazed Black Cod with Wilted Bok Choy
A perfectly balanced Japanese dish featuring tender cod glazed in rich miso paste, served with lightly cooked bok choy for a true taste of Kyoto. This japanese-inspired seafood ready in about 34 minutes pairs (6 oz each) black cod fillets, white miso paste, sake for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) black cod fillets
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 bunches (about 8 oz total) bok choy
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp sake, 1 tbsp mirin, and 1 tsp sugar until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Step 2: Place 4 black cod fillets skin-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush 1/2 of the miso glaze evenly over the top of each fillet.
- Step 3: Bake in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 12-14 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: While fish cooks, heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Add 2 bunches bok choy (cut into 2-inch pieces) and 1/4 cup water, then cover and steam for 3-4 minutes until bok choy is tender but still vibrant green.
- Step 6: Drizzle the remaining miso glaze over the cooked bok choy and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately with the baked cod.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Miso-Glazed Black Cod with Wilted Bok Choy take to make?
Total time is about 34 minutes (20 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Miso-Glazed Black Cod with Wilted Bok Choy?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) black cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Miso-Glazed Black Cod with Wilted Bok Choy?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Miso-Glazed Black Cod with Wilted Bok Choy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Miso-Glazed Black Cod with Wilted Bok Choy?
Japanese seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 14-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.