This Shio Koji Salmon (塩麹サーモン) recipe is a staple that pairs beautifully with a typical Japanese meal. And it requires only 2 ingredients! Not only is it fuss-free to make, but the flavor of salmon really shines through. Let’s learn more about this amazing condiment – Shio Koji, and how you can use it in Japanese cooking.
What is Shio Koji
Simply made of salt, koji, and water, Shio Koji (塩麹, 塩こうじ), or salt koji, is a condiment used in Japanese cuisine for hundreds of years. Koji is steamed grains or beans that are bred with microorganisms called aspergillus. If koji is made from rice, it becomes rice koji (kome koji, 米麹), if it is wheat, it becomes wheat koji (mugi koji, 麦麹), and soybeans become bean koji (mame koji, 豆麹). Koji has long been a familiar food to Japanese people. Many of the seasonings such as miso, mirin, sake, and soy sauce, which are indispensable for Japanese cuisine, are made from koji. It is a 100% natural seasoning that boosts the flavor of your ingredient, resulting in a flavorful dish. As it is packed with probiotics, Shio Koji offers plenty of health benefits. You can learn more here.
Where to Get Shio Koji
It’s a liquid form with the tiny half-dissolved grains of rice malt. When you open the bottle, you would immediately smell the floral aroma of rice koji. If you wish to cook more home-style Japanese dishes, I highly recommend stocking it up.
How to Cook Shio Koji Salmon
Just 2 Ingredients
SalmonShio koji
Cooking Step Overview
Coat salmon with shio koji and marinate it overnight.Remove shio koji and broil till cooked.
Yes, that’s it, as simple as that. Shio koji does all the amazing job overnight. You’ll find the salmon nicely tenderized and the taste deeply enhanced. It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy salmon, especially when you can hold of fresh, wild-caught salmon. For a Japanese home cooked meal, serve this super-healthy, delicious tasting salmon as a main protein to go along with rice, a side of veggie, miso soup, and pickles.
Other Delicious Shio Koji Recipes
Shio Koji KaraageShio Koji YakisobaShio Koji ChickenPickled Daikon with Shio KojiCreamy Mashed Potatoes with Shio Koji
I hope you enjoy cooking with shio koji! Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
