Japanese-style Paella

Ingredients

While the original Spanish Paella typically includes ingredients like saffron, chorizo, and seafood, this Japanese-style Paella incorporates Japanese flavors such as soy sauce, miso, and fresh seafood like shrimp and scallops. The dish also features traditional Japanese vegetables like shiitake mushrooms and edamame, giving it a distinct Japanese twist. We alse have the original recipe for Paella, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (470ml) sushi rice 2 cups (470ml) sushi rice
• 4 cups (940ml) dashi broth 4 cups (940ml) dashi broth
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup edamame beans 1 cup edamame beans
• 8 ounces (225g) shrimp, peeled and deveined 8 ounces (225g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces (225g) scallops 8 ounces (225g) scallops
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon miso paste 1 tablespoon miso paste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 2 green onions, sliced 2 green onions, sliced
• Nori seaweed, for garnish Nori seaweed, for garnish
• Sesame seeds, for garnish Sesame seeds, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 80g, 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
2. 2.
   In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the sliced red bell pepper, shiitake mushrooms, and edamame beans to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly softened.
4. 4.
   Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and add the shrimp and scallops. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the seafood is cooked through.
5. 5.
   In a separate pot, bring the dashi broth to a boil. Add the rinsed sushi rice and cook according to package instructions.
6. 6.
   Once the rice is cooked, add it to the pan with the vegetables and seafood. Mix well.
7. 7.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, miso paste, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Pour the sauce over the rice mixture and stir to combine.
8. 8.
   Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until everything is heated through.
9. 9.
   Serve the Japanese-style Paella garnished with sliced green onions, nori seaweed, and sesame seeds.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shrimp — Make sure to peel and devein the shrimp before cooking to remove any unwanted grit or impurities.
• Scallops — Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel before cooking to ensure a nice sear and prevent them from becoming watery.
• Shiitake mushrooms — Remove the tough stems before slicing and cooking. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrate them in warm water before slicing.

Tips & Tricks

• Use high-quality dashi broth for the best flavor in the dish.
• Feel free to add other seafood such as squid or mussels to the paella for additional variety.
• Adjust the amount of soy sauce and miso paste according to your taste preference.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the seafood and add tofu or tempeh as a protein substitute.
• Serve the paella with a side of pickled ginger or a drizzle of ponzu sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Serving advice

Serve the Japanese-style Paella hot, straight from the pan. Garnish with sliced green onions, nori seaweed, and sesame seeds for an attractive presentation.

Presentation advice

For an elegant presentation, transfer the paella to a large serving platter and arrange the seafood and vegetables on top. Sprinkle with additional sesame seeds and garnish with a few nori seaweed strips.