Japanese Egg Custard Soup

Delight in the delicate elegance of Japanese Egg Custard Soup, a timeless dish known as "Chawanmushi" that’s as comforting as it is refined. This savory custard achieves its signature velvety texture by blending silky eggs with umami-rich dashi stock, soy sauce, and mirin. Studded with tender bites of chicken, succulent shrimp, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and optional kamaboko fish cake, each serving delivers a harmonious balance of flavors. Topped with fragrant mitsuba or cilantro and steamed to gentle perfection, this dish is a visual and culinary masterpiece. Ideal as an appetizer or a light main dish, it’s a must-make for fans of authentic Japanese cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 large Eggs
• 2 cups Dashi stock
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Mirin
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 4 small cubes Chicken thigh, skinless and boneless
• 4 pieces Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 slices Shiitake mushrooms
• 4 slices Kamaboko (fish cake), optional
• 4 small sprigs Mitsuba (Japanese parsley) or cilantro

Directions

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, gently whisk the eggs until they are just blended. Avoid beating too much air into the mixture to ensure a smooth custard.

Step 2

Gradually add the dashi stock to the eggs while whisking slowly. Then mix in the soy sauce, mirin, and salt until evenly combined. Strain the egg mixture through a fine sieve to remove any lumps and set it aside.

Step 3

Prepare 4 small heatproof bowls or chawanmushi cups. In each bowl, place 1 cube of chicken, 1 shrimp, 1 slice of shiitake mushroom, and 1 slice of kamaboko if using.

Step 4

Carefully pour an equal amount of the egg mixture into each bowl, leaving at least 1/4 inch of space at the top. Gently position a sprig of mitsuba or cilantro on the surface of each custard.

Step 5

Cover each bowl tightly with aluminum foil or a lid to prevent condensation from dripping into the custard during steaming.

Step 6

Prepare a steamer and bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Place the bowls into the steamer and steam for 15-20 minutes or until the custard sets. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the custard—it should come out clean.

Step 7

Remove the bowls from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve warm as a standalone dish or as part of a Japanese meal. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1137.9 grams (1137.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	837

Total Fat 31.50g	40%
Saturated Fat 9.50g	48%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 1002mg	334%
Sodium 4603mg	200%
Total Carbohydrate 33.60g	12%
Dietary Fiber 1.70g	6%
Total Sugars 14.20g
Protein 96.40g	193%

Vitamin D 182IU	909%
Calcium 236mg	18%
Iron 6mg	33%
Potassium 1185mg	25%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.3%

Protein: 48.0%

Carbs: 16.7%