What To Serve With Miso Cod: 22 Perfect Sides!
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With a delicate flavour and buttery texture, this popular Japanese dish is a sophisticated choice for a dinner party or a special midweek meal.
Whilst the star of the show is undoubtedly the fish, choosing the right side dishes can elevate the entire dining experience and create a plate you’ll be super proud of.
Here, we’re going to look at the best sides and accompaniments, including fresh veggies, grains, umami-rich soups, creative pairings, and even drinks.
Let’s get going!
What to serve with miso cod
In a hurry? Here’s the quick answer…
Miso cod pairs beautifully with veggie sides including stir-fried greens, ginger garlic broccoli, and roasted asparagus. For a more filling meal, be sure to add a choice of sushi rice, quinoa salad, or noodles.
If you like to serve up creative sides, consider pickled veggies and wasabi mashed potatoes.
And of course, you’ll need a classy drinks option! Sake or Japanese beer are good choices, or green tea if you want to keep things non-alcoholic.
Keep reading to take a closer look at pulling these options together…
Vegetable Sides
1. Stir-Fried Greens
A delicious and healthy side option for miso cod is stir-fried greens.
Sauteeing leafy greens, such as spinach or kale, with garlic and a hint of soy sauce offers a wonderful contrast to the rich umami flavours of miso cod.
Simply heat olive oil in a pan, add garlic, and toss in your greens until they’re wilted and tender.
I like to garnish with sesame seeds to really make the presentation pop!
2. Ginger Garlic Broccoli
Another excellent side dish for miso cod is ginger garlic broccoli.
This dish is easy to prepare and adds a tangy, fragrant addition to your meal.
Cook the broccoli florets in boiling water or steam them, then toss with a mixture of minced garlic, grated ginger, and a splash of soy sauce.
The sharpness of ginger and garlic enhances the flavour of the broccoli and complements the miso cod just perfectly.
(You’ll also enjoy side dishes for miso chicken).
3. Roasted Asparagus
Roasted asparagus is an elegant and easy option for what to serve with miso cod.
To prepare, simply coat the asparagus in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 200°C until tender.
The slightly charred flavour of roasted asparagus adds a delightful contrast to the smooth, buttery texture of the fish.
4. Wakame Seaweed Salad
Wakame seaweed salad is a unique and refreshing side dish to pair with miso cod.
This traditional Japanese salad is known for its vibrant green colour and crisp, slightly chewy texture.
To make a simple wakame salad, hydrate the dried seaweed in water, drain, and then mix with sliced cucumbers and carrots.
Toss with a dressing made from rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar.
The tangy flavours and crunchy texture provide an excellent balance to the rich, salty taste of miso cod.
(If you love Japanese cuisine, you’ll also enjoy what to serve with miso soup, and what to serve with miso aubergine) .
5. Sunomono salad (Japanese cucumber salad)
Japanese cucumber salad, commonly known as “Sunomono”, is a light and tangy dish featuring thinly sliced cucumbers and a sweet and sour dressing.
Here’s how to make it:
- Ingredients: For this salad, you’ll need Japanese or English cucumbers, salt, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Optional ingredients can include wakame (seaweed), ginger, or thinly sliced radishes for extra flavor and texture.
- Prepping the Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers and slice them as thinly as possible using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. Place the slices in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for about 15-20 minutes to draw out excess water, which helps to crisp up the cucumbers.
- Making the Dressing: In a bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Adjust the ratios to your liking for a balance of sweet and tangy.
- Rinsing the Cucumbers: After they’ve sat for a while, gently squeeze the cucumber slices to remove any remaining water, and then rinse them with cold water. Pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towels.
- Combining the Salad: Place the cucumber slices in a mixing bowl. If using wakame, rehydrate it in warm water, squeeze out the excess water, and add it to the bowl. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers (and wakame), and toss gently to coat.
- Chilling: For the best flavor, cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Garnishing and Serving: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and a decorative touch. If desired, add a garnish of thinly sliced ginger or radishes for an extra zing.
6. Sautéed shiitake mushrooms
For an elegant and wonderfully savoury side dish, sauté some shiitake mushrooms with garlic and chilli.
It’s quick, easy, and nutritious.
7. Japanese potato salad
Japanese potato salad is a popular homemade dish with fresh veggies, a creamy texture, and a well rounded flavour profile.
Every family in Japan will have a slightly different recipe that they use, and the beauty of this side dish is that you can add the ingredients of your choice to really make it your own.
Grain & Noodle Sides
Grain and noodle sides make an excellent complement to miso cod because they add texture and contrast, and they also help to make for a filling meal.
If you’re serving a multi course meal with a starter and a dessert, you’ll likely want to keep your portions small in this area, so no-one ends up too full when there’s still food to come!
Let’s dive into some tasty choices…
8. Sushi Rice
Not only is sushi rice an authentic choice that pairs perfectly with miso cod, but it also provides a delicious, subtly sweet flavour with its sticky texture.
To elevate this side dish, you can season the sushi rice with rice vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Serve it shaped into balls or as a traditional mound alongside your miso cod.
9. Quinoa Salad
For a hearty and nutritious side, consider serving a quinoa salad with your miso cod.
This versatile superfood can be combined with an array of ingredients like roasted vegetables, avocado, edamame beans, or even nuts and dried fruit.
To complement the miso flavours, dress your quinoa salad with a light soy-ginger vinaigrette or a zesty lemon-tahini dressing.
10. Yakisoba Noodles
Yakisoba is a Japanese dish that literally translates as ‘fried noodle’, and it’s one of my favourite sides whenever I’m making Asian inspired food.
The sweet and savoury sauce is so delicious, and you can add any extra veggies or protein that you might like.
When serving with miso cod, I like to add prawns and plenty of crunchy, colourful veggies like carrots, beansprouts, and bell peppers.
11. Egg fried rice
Egg fried rice is comforting, nourishing, and makes for a quick and easy side for miso cod.
I like to throw in any veggies that I have in the fridge that might need using up, as well as a generous dash of a really good quality soy sauce.
12. Mushroom risotto
For a super sophisticated, restaurant style main course, pair miso cod with a creamy, savoury mushroom risotto.
Many people assume that risotto is a difficult dish to make, and it’s true that it requires a fair bit of hands-on attention, but it’s well worth it if you want to wow your guests.
13. Ramen bowl
Ramen and miso cod is another warming, satisfying duo!
For extra presentation points, add a tea stained egg, and don’t be scared to get experimental with lots of different colourful veggies.
14. Cold ramen noodle salad
This one’s perfect for a lighter meal, or during the warmer summer months!
Here’s how to make it:
- Ingredients: You’ll need ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet), a variety of vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, and green onions, boiled eggs, and a dressing made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and grated ginger. Sesame seeds and chopped cilantro or parsley can be used for garnish.
- Noodle Preparation: Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions, but without the seasoning packet. Once cooked, drain and rinse them under cold water to cool them down and stop the cooking process.
- Vegetable Prep: Julienne or thinly slice the vegetables. If you’re using a protein, make sure it’s cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Making the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and grated ginger. Adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences.
- Mixing the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled noodles, prepared vegetables, and cod. Pour the dressing over the top and toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chilling: Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Garnishing and Serving: Before serving, sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped cilantro or parsley over the salad for added flavour and visual appeal. Give the salad a final toss and serve it cold.
Soup Accompaniments
Soup is a warm and comforting choice to accompany miso cod. In this section, we’ll look at two popular Japanese soup options: Miso Soup and Clear Soup.
15. Miso Soup
One of the most well-known Japanese soups is miso soup, made from miso paste, which is a fermented mixture of soybeans, salt, and koji.
Often served alongside rice and various side dishes, miso soup adds depth and warmth to a meal with miso cod.
Some popular ingredients to include in your soup are:
- Seaweed (wakame)
- Tofu
- Green onions
- Daikon radish
- Mushrooms
16. Clear Soup
Another Japanese soup option worth considering is clear soup.
This soup is light and refreshing, making it a perfect counterpart to the rich, umami flavours of miso cod.
Clear soup is usually made with a dashi broth – a traditional Japanese stock made from fish (often bonito) and seaweed (kombu).
Clear soup can contain various ingredients, but it usually consists of thinly sliced vegetables and sometimes seafood.
Some common ingredients to add are:
- Carrots
- Onions
- White button mushrooms
- Shrimp
- Glass noodles (optional)
Both of these soups can provide a flavourful balance to your miso cod dish while offering a satisfying, warming touch to your meal.
Creative Pairings
Miso cod is a delightful and flavourful dish that can be enhanced by creative side dishes.
Here we’re going to present three imaginative options, pickled vegetables, wasabi mashed potatoes, and duck fat roast potatoes, that complement the umami taste of miso cod.
17. Pickled Vegetables
Pickled vegetables can provide a contrast of flavours and add a refreshing crunchy texture to the meal. Here’s a simple recipe to prepare:
- Choose vegetables such as cucumbers, radishes, and carrots
- Thinly slice them, and place in a jar
- Combine equal parts of water and vinegar, add salt and sugar, and pour the mixture over the vegetables
- Let them pickle in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving
Pickled vegetables can provide a pleasant tangy taste, reducing the richness of the miso cod and balancing the palate.
This combination is reminiscent of Japanese pickles, often served alongside fish dishes.
18. Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
For a unique twist on a classic side dish, try serving miso cod with wasabi mashed potatoes.
The bold wasabi flavour pairs well with the delicate, savoury taste of the miso cod.
Follow these simple steps to make wasabi mashed potatoes:
- Peel and cube potatoes, then cook them until tender
- Mash potatoes with butter, cream, salt, and pepper according to your preference
- Add wasabi paste to taste, starting with a small amount and increasing it gradually
- Adjust the seasonings as necessary and serve warm
19. Duck fat roast potatoes
Duck fat roasties are such an indulgent treat, and they pair wonderfully with miso cod!
This combination is particularly good during the colder months when you’re looking for a comforting, satisfying dinner.
Drink Pairings
In this section, we’ll explore three popular drink pairings for miso cod: sake, Japanese beer, and green tea.
Each of these options complements the rich umami flavours of the dish, offering a delightful dining experience.
20. Sake
Sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine, is a popular choice for pairing with miso cod.
With its complex and distinct flavour profile, sake can enhance the dish’s umami taste. Wine Not Just Eat suggests using a white miso, mirin, and sake concoction for marinating the miso black cod.
This combination accentuates the unique flavour of the fish while complementing it with the rice wine.
21. Japanese Beer
Japanese beers are also an ideal beverage to accompany miso cod.
Light, crisp, and refreshing, these beers can help cleanse the palate between bites, highlighting the delicate flavours of the cod.
Some popular Japanese beer brands to consider include Asahi, Sapporo, and Kirin, which offer a range of options that pair well with the dish.
22. Green Tea
For a non-alcoholic option, green tea is an excellent choice to serve with miso cod.
The tea is a staple in Japanese cuisine and provides a light, soothing accompaniment to the rich flavours of the dish.
The antioxidants in green tea also offer added health benefits, making it a great alternative for those who prefer not to consume alcohol.
22 Side Dishes for Miso Cod
Ingredients
- 1 serving miso cod
Instructions
- Prepare your miso cod, according to your favourite recipe.
- Select and make your favourite side dish accompaniments. Some of the most popular choices include stir fried greens, Japanese cucumber salad, sautéed shiitake mushrooms, yakisoba noodles, egg fried rice, pickled vegetables, and wasabi mashed potatoes.
- Serve your delicious Japanese inspired meal, and enjoy!
