Sake-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds, plated with caramelized sake glaze, black and white sesame seeds, miso cauliflower purée, radish salad, and yuzu gel.


Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Sake-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds, a dish that blends Japanese-inspired flavors with modern fine dining presentation. A perfectly seared salmon fillet is glazed with a luxurious sake-mirin reduction, caramelizing into a glossy, umami-rich coating. Paired with miso-infused cauliflower purée, a touch of black garlic emulsion, and delicate garnishes like shaved radish salad and yuzu gel, this dish offers the perfect balance of elegance, texture, and flavor.

Follow this step-by-step guide to master the plating and techniques behind this restaurant-quality dish.


Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these high-quality ingredients to achieve a dish that’s as stunning as it is delicious.

For the Sake-Glazed Salmon:

  • 2 salmon fillets (skin-on, center-cut)
  • 1/4 cup sake
  • 2 tbsp mirin
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp black and white sesame seeds, for garnish

For the Miso-Infused Cauliflower Purée:

  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1 tbsp white miso paste
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Salt and white pepper, to taste

For the Garnishes:

  • 1/4 cup shaved daikon radish, lightly pickled
  • 4–5 slices of pickled watermelon radish
  • 1 tbsp yuzu gel (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tbsp black garlic emulsion
  • Micro shiso leaves (or microgreens of choice)


Shop the Essentials for This Recipe

Use these tools to ensure precision and a flawless fine dining presentation:

  • Non-Stick Skillet: Achieve a perfect sear on salmon. Shop Here
  • High-Speed Blender: For a silky cauliflower purée. Shop Here
  • Squeeze Bottles: Ideal for controlled drizzling of yuzu gel and black garlic emulsion. Shop Here


Step 1: Prepare the Sake Glaze

The glaze enhances the salmon with deep umami flavors and a glossy caramelized coating.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Sake, mirin, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and butter.

Method:

  1. Simmer the Glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sake, mirin, soy sauce, and honey. Bring to a simmer and reduce for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
  2. Finish with Butter: Remove from heat and whisk in butter for a smooth, glossy finish.

💡 Pro Tip: The glaze should coat the back of a spoon when ready.


Step 2: Cook the Salmon

A perfectly seared salmon fillet is essential for the dish’s visual and textural appeal.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Salmon fillets, sesame oil, salt, and sake glaze.

Method:

  1. Sear the Salmon: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with sesame oil. Sear the salmon fillets, skin-side down, for 3–4 minutes until crispy. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
  2. Glaze the Salmon: Brush the fillets generously with the sake glaze, allowing it to caramelize. Remove from heat and rest for 2 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle Sesame Seeds: Garnish the salmon with a mix of black and white sesame seeds for added crunch and contrast.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra depth, torch the glazed salmon lightly for a beautiful caramelized finish.


Step 3: Make the Miso-Infused Cauliflower Purée

This silky, umami-rich purée provides a perfect base for the salmon.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Cauliflower, white miso paste, heavy cream, butter, salt, and white pepper.

Method:

  1. Cook the Cauliflower: Steam or boil cauliflower florets until tender, about 8 minutes.
  2. Blend Until Smooth: Transfer to a blender, add white miso, cream, butter, salt, and pepper, and blend until silky.
  3. Strain for Perfection: For an ultra-smooth texture, strain through a fine mesh sieve.

💡 Pro Tip: Warm the purée just before plating for the best consistency.


Step 4: Prepare the Garnishes

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Shaved daikon radish, pickled watermelon radish, yuzu gel, black garlic emulsion, micro shiso leaves.

Method:

  1. Pickle the Daikon: Soak shaved daikon radish in a mixture of rice vinegar and yuzu juice for 10 minutes.
  2. Slice the Watermelon Radish: Arrange thin slices into a decorative fan.
  3. Prepare Squeeze Bottles: Load yuzu gel and black garlic emulsion into separate squeeze bottles for controlled plating.

💡 Pro Tip: Micro shiso leaves add a subtle, herbal contrast to the rich salmon.


Step 5: Plate the Dish

Plating is where this dish transforms into a fine dining masterpiece.

Ingredients Used in This Step:

Miso cauliflower purée, sake-glazed salmon, yuzu gel, black garlic emulsion, pickled radish, micro shiso leaves.

Method:

  1. Spread the Purée: Spoon a smooth circle of miso cauliflower purée onto the plate as the base.
  2. Place the Salmon: Lay the sake-glazed salmon fillet slightly off-center on top of the purée.
  3. Drizzle the Sauces: Use squeeze bottles to create arcs of black garlic emulsion and yuzu gel around the salmon.
  4. Add the Garnishes: Arrange pickled radish slices, shaved daikon, and micro shiso leaves around the plate for texture and color balance.
  5. Final Touch: Lightly dust with extra sesame seeds for contrast.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep the plating clean by wiping any stray sauce droplets with a damp cloth.


Why You’ll Love This Dish

  • Exquisite Umami Balance: The sake glaze, miso purée, and black garlic create a complex, harmonious bite.
  • Elegant and Refined: Thoughtful plating and vibrant colors make this dish visually stunning.
  • Fine Dining at Home: Master chef-quality techniques with easy-to-follow steps.


Pairing Suggestions

Pair Sake-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds with a chilled Junmai Daiginjo sake for a perfect umami match. For a non-alcoholic option, try sparkling yuzu-infused water for a refreshing contrast.


Shop the Essentials for This Recipe

  • Non-Stick Skillet: Perfect for searing salmon. Shop Here
  • Blender: For a silky cauliflower purée. Shop Here
  • Squeeze Bottles: Achieve precision plating. Shop Here


Share Your Creation

We’d love to see your version of Sake-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds! Share your plated dishes on Pinterest or social media using #BeyondEveryBite, and your masterpiece could be featured in our next article.

This refined dish combines Japanese flavors with modern plating techniques, creating a luxurious fine dining experience at home. Bon appétit! 🍣✨