How to Make the Perfect Miso Glazed Sea Bass
Japanese · Medium · 22 min · 4 servings

Silky sea bass fillets lacquered in a sweet and savory miso glaze then broiled to caramelized perfection. This Japanese-inspired dish delivers restaurant quality results with minimal effort.
Why this recipe works
This Miso Glazed Sea Bass recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 22 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 380 calories with 34g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 lbs sea bass fillets skin on
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 stalks green onions thinly sliced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Miso Marinade
In a small bowl whisk together white miso paste, mirin, sake, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and grated ginger until completely smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness as needed.
Step 2: Marinate the Fish
Place sea bass fillets in a shallow dish and coat both sides evenly with the miso marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. Do not marinate longer than 24 hours as the miso will begin to cure the fish.
Step 3: Prepare for Broiling
Preheat your broiler to high and position the rack 6 inches from the heating element. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease it. Remove the fish from the marinade and gently wipe off any excess glaze to prevent burning.
Step 4: Broil the Sea Bass
Place the fillets skin side down on the prepared baking sheet. Broil for 8 to 10 minutes until the glaze is deeply caramelized and bubbly and the fish is cooked through. Watch carefully as the glaze can burn quickly due to the natural sugars.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven and drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately over steamed white rice with pickled ginger on the side.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- sea bass → black cod or salmon
- sake → dry sherry or additional mirin
- white miso → yellow miso for a slightly stronger flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not wiping off excess marinade before broiling which causes the glaze to burn black instead of caramelize
- Using the oven instead of the broiler which does not create the proper caramelized crust
- Marinating the fish for too long which breaks down the delicate texture of the sea bass
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 380 calories, 34g protein, 18g carbs, 17g fat, 1g fiber.
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