Chawanmushi
This Japanese chicken builds mirin, boneless chicken thigh and shiitake mushrooms into a fuss-free meal you can have ready in about 60 minutes. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 6 steps.
You'll mainly reach for saucepan and steamer. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (4)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
🔁 Unit converter
How to make it
- Let the dashi cool to lukewarm, then gently beat the eggs without creating foam and stir in the cooled dashi, soy sauce, mirin and salt before straining the mixture through a fine sieve for a silky custard.
- Cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces and toss with a few drops of soy sauce, slice the shiitake caps, and peel and devein the prawns.
- Divide the chicken, mushrooms and prawns among four heatproof cups or bowls, then slowly pour in the egg mixture and skim off any surface bubbles with a spoon.
- Set up a steamer and bring it to a gentle simmer, then place the cups inside, cover each loosely with foil and put the lid on, leaving a small gap so the temperature stays moderate.
- Steam over low heat for 12 to 15 minutes until the custard is just set, the chicken is cooked through to 74 C and the prawns are pink and opaque; a skewer inserted should release clear, not cloudy, liquid.
- Garnish each cup with a sprig of mitsuba or a little sliced spring onion and serve warm, eaten with a spoon.
You'll use: Saucepan · Steamer
Ingredient substitutions
- Eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking) · 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg
- Soy Sauce
- tamari (gluten-free) · coconut aminos
What to serve with Chawanmushi
- Honey Teriyaki Salmon Seafood
- Yaki Udon Vegetarian
- Tonkatsu pork Pork
- Japanese gohan rice Side
Tips & common questions
How long does Chawanmushi take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 9 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of eggs?
Try ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (baking). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Chawanmushi is an original Japanese recipe developed in-house by Consomee. Photo: Seafood chawanmushi by veroyama in Hakodate, Hokkaido.jpg by veroyama from Hakodate, Hokkaido, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure on top — how we source recipes.