Are you looking for what to serve with Unagi Don? Look for further! Unagi don is a classic Japanese dish consisting of steamed white rice topped with grilled eel and a sweet and savory sauce.
It’s a popular dish that is flavorful and delicious when served with the right side dishes.
If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniments to unagi don, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best side dishes of what to serve with unagi don and provide tips on combining them for a perfect meal.
Shall we begin?
1. Green Salad
The starter of our list of what to serve with unagi don is a green salad, the perfect accompaniment to a delicious bowl of unagi don.
Not only is it light and healthy, but it also provides a refreshing contrast to the heavier, more intensely flavored meal.
You can choose to go simple with just lettuce and dressing or add vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers for a bit more flavor and texture.
If you want to go the extra mile, consider adding other ingredients such as roasted nuts, cheese, fruit, and even croutons for an even heartier salad.
A well-crafted green salad will balance a classic Japanese dish perfectly. When selecting ingredients for your green salad to serve with unagi don, there are a few things to consider.
Opt for greens that are slightly bitter, such as arugula or endive, to cut through the richness of the unagi.
Additionally, stick with light and neutral dressings such as vinaigrettes or oil-based dressings so they don’t overpower the delicate flavors of the meal.
Finally, feel free to mix up different textures by adding crunchy items like walnuts or sunflower seeds.
With these tips in mind, you can craft a delicious and balanced salad as what to serve with unagi don.
2. Miso Soup
Miso soup is a popular side dish on this list of what to serve with unagi don or eel rice bowl.
This traditional Japanese soup consists of miso paste, a fermented soybean paste, and dashi, a stock made from dried bonito flakes and seaweed.
The salty-sweet flavor pairs perfectly with the savory unagi don. To make your miso soup, mix miso paste with hot dashi until it reaches the desired consistency.
You can add any additional ingredients, such as tofu, wakame seaweed, scallions, and mushrooms.
Miso soup is easy to make and adds a nice balance to the unagi don. It’s also light enough to enjoy your meal without feeling too full.
Serve miso soup hot or cold, depending on your preference. Enjoy the combination of flavors and textures that miso soup and unagi don make together. It’s sure to become one of your favorite Japanese meals!
3. Spicy Garlic Ginger Edamame
Edamame is a great side dish regarding what to serve with unagi don, as it provides a flavorful, protein-rich accompaniment to the savory eel and sticky rice.
To make spicy garlic ginger edamame, combine garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and oil in a bowl and mix until well combined. Then toss the edamame in the mixture and spread it onto a baking sheet.
Afterward, bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. Serve alongside your unagi don for a nutritious and delicious dish.
Not only is spicy garlic ginger edamame tasty and easy to make, but it also offers a great nutritional boost to the meal.
Edamame is a rich source of plant-based protein, iron, and fiber, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet.
It also provides essential vitamins and minerals that help keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.
With its savory, garlicky flavor, spicy garlic ginger edamame is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation.
4. Asian Cucumber Salad
What to serve with unagi don includes this simple, light, and refreshing Asian Cucumber Salad, the perfect accompaniment.
This dish is made with thinly sliced cucumbers, a flavorful soy sauce-based dressing, and some crunchy red radish slices.
A sprinkle of sesame seeds and some chopped scallions can be added to give the salad extra flavor.
With its subtle sweet and salty flavors, this Asian Cucumber Salad is the perfect way to complete a meal featuring Unagi Don.
Plus, it’s low in calories and fat, so it won’t add any unwanted calories to your meal. Give this easy Asian Cucumber Salad a try the next time you make Unagi Don!
5. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a great accompaniment to unagi don. It adds a unique texture and flavor to the dish while providing an extra dose of protein and carbohydrates.
Potato salad can be made with various ingredients but usually includes boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, eggs, onions, celery, and pickles.
It is one of the best options of what to serve with Unagi Don and is best served chilled to contrast with the warm eel and rice.
For added flavor, consider adding herbs and spices such as dill, garlic powder, or paprika. Potato salad is a great side dish to any meal and especially pairs nicely with unagi don.
6. Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is an easy and delicious side dish what to serve with unagi don.
The creamy texture of the mayonnaise and the crunchy texture of the pasta makes a great contrast in texture that pairs nicely with the rich, smoky flavor of unagi.
To make this classic side dish, cook macaroni according to the package instructions.
Then, combine it with a mayonnaise-based dressing, diced onion, celery, and a bit of mustard for extra flavor.
You can also add some pickles for an extra tanginess or even diced apples for a sweet-tart flavor.
Finish the salad with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or dill for a bright and refreshing flavor. Serve this side dish with unagi don to make your meal complete!
7. Pasta Salad
When it comes to a traditional Japanese dish such as Unagi Don, you want to serve sides that complement the meal’s flavors.
Pasta salad is a great side dish on this list of what to serve with Unagi Don. You can use any pasta, but the best would be a cold, cooked angel hair or spaghetti.
Meanwhile, add plenty of crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery and a flavorful dressing like a vinaigrette or a creamy mayonnaise dressing.
Top it off with some sesame seeds, and your delicious pasta salad is complete. Serve chilled, and enjoy!
8. Broccoli Salad
Regarding what to serve with Unagi Don, Broccoli salad is the perfect side dish.
This colorful and crunchy salad contains crisp and tender broccoli florets, crunchy almonds, sweet dried cranberries, zesty red onion, and a creamy dressing. This flavorful salad can easily add freshness and nutrition to your meal.
The almonds’ nuttiness and the cranberries’ sweetness are a great contrast to the rich and savory unagi.
Serve this salad chilled for the perfect accompaniment. The creamy dressing is the star of this salad. Mix mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and salt to make it.
This simple mixture brings all the flavors together in perfect harmony. Feel free to add more or less of any ingredient to tailor the flavor to your preferences.
For a lighter option, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise. Serve this broccoli salad as a side dish to your unagi don and enjoy the perfect balance of flavors.
9. Fruit Salad
Compared to other options of what to serve with Unagi Don, fruit salad is a wonderful addition.
This colorful and delicious dish is made with pineapple, mango, kiwi, apples, oranges, and grapes, but it can also be customized with other seasonal fruits.
Adding a variety of fruit to the salad will create a nice balance of sweet and sour flavors.
If desired, a few tablespoons of honey or agave nectar can be used for added sweetness. The salad can also be topped with nuts or dried fruit for additional texture and flavor.
This dish is perfect for bringing out the sweet, savory, and salty flavors of Unagi Don.
10. Vegetable Platter
A vegetable platter can be a great addition to any Unagi Don meal. The great thing about a vegetable platter is that it can be made with whatever vegetables you have on hand.
The best vegetables for a vegetable platter are carrots, peppers, cucumbers, radishes, and celery.
You can also add some variety by adding sliced mushrooms, bean sprouts, or pickles.
When arranging the vegetable platter, ensure they are cut into bite-sized pieces and arranged in an attractive manner.
Serve with a light and refreshing dipping sauce to complete your Unagi Don meal.
11. Sushi Rolls
Sushi rolls make a great accompaniment to unagi don, as the light and refreshing taste of sushi can help balance out the smoky and rich flavor of the eel.
Sushi rolls come in a wide variety of types and flavors, so it’s easy to find one that pairs well with unagi don.
For instance, an avocado roll is a great option, as its cool and creamy texture contrasts with the unagi.
If you’re looking for something more flavorful on this list of what to serve with Unagi Don, try a spicy tuna roll or a tempura shrimp roll.
They provide an extra kick of flavor while still working well with the eel. No matter which type of sushi roll you choose, it makes a great side dish to unagi don.
Combining the two dishes creates a wonderfully balanced meal that everyone will love. Plus, sushi is easy to make and serve, so you can quickly prepare a side dish in no time at all.
So, if you’re looking for a delicious way to complete your unagi don meal, sushi rolls are definitely the way to go!
12. Rice
We are almost done with this list of what to serve with Unagi Don. Serving rice with unagi don is a great way to round your meal.
Rice is a staple in Japanese cuisine and pairs perfectly with the unagi don. For added flavor, you can add some tamari or shoyu for a delicious umami flavor.
To really make the dish pop, you can also add some freshly grated ginger and scallions. This flavorful combination adds a great flavor that compliments the unagi don perfectly.
For something more unique, try making a rice salad with edamame, carrots, and cucumbers for a light and healthy side dish.
13. Chinese Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
Lastly, on this list of what to serve with Unagi Don is Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce, a delicious accompaniment to the dish.
This simple side dish is easy to prepare and can be served warm or at room temperature.
Chinese broccoli has a slightly bitter flavor and a crunchy texture that pairs well with the sweet, savory flavor of the eel.
To make this dish, start by sautéing garlic in a bit of oil until fragrant. Add in the Chinese broccoli and stir-fry for several minutes before pouring some soy sauce and sesame oil.
Finish with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor. Serve with unagi don for a complete meal!
Conclusion
Unagi Don is a classic Japanese dish that is often served. The above comprehensive guide explored some of the best sides of what to serve with Unagi Don to make your meal even more delicious at home or in restaurants.
It’s a simple yet flavorful dish with grilled eel served on a bed of white rice.
Serving a dish as what to serve with unagi don is a good idea for various reasons. One benefit is that it might make the meal more full.
A side dish can also spice up the meal by adding diversity and interest. Last but not least, a side dish might add extra nutrients that the main dish could be missing.
