Japanese Tsume and Tare Nitsume or Thick Sweet Eel Sauce
Elevate your Japanese culinary creations with this traditional *Tsume and Tare Nitsume*, a thick sweet eel sauce that's bursting with authentic umami flavor. Crafted from a harmonious blend of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and granulated sugar, this rich, glossy sauce achieves its exquisite depth of flavor with the optional addition of unagi (eel) bones or shells. Simmered to perfection in just 25 minutes, this syrupy glaze is ideal for drizzling over grilled eel, enhancing sushi rolls, or adding a sweet-savory kick to steamed rice. Easy to prepare and versatile, this homemade unagi sauce is a must-have for fans of Japanese cuisine, offering a restaurant-quality touch in the comfort of your kitchen.
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Ingredients
- 120 ml Soy sauce
- 120 ml Mirin
- 120 ml Sake
- 50 grams Granulated sugar
- 50 grams Unagi (eel) bones or shells (optional but recommended for flavor)
- 120 ml Water
Directions
Step 1
In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and water.
Step 2
If using unagi bones or shells, rinse them under water to remove any residue and add them to the saucepan for extra flavor.
Step 3
Add sugar to the mixture and stir until dissolved.
Step 4
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
Step 5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow it to reduce for 20–25 minutes or until it thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency.
Step 6
If using unagi bones or shells, strain the sauce through a fine mesh strainer to remove them once it has finished reducing.
Step 7
Let the sauce cool slightly. It will thicken further as it cools.
Step 8
Store the eel sauce in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat lightly if needed before serving.
Step 9
Use the sauce to drizzle over grilled eel, sushi rolls, or rice for a burst of sweet, umami-rich flavor!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (592.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 847.7 |
| Total Fat 5.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 1.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g | |
| Cholesterol 25mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4762.4mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 127.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.9g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 115.7g | |
| Protein 24.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 302.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 2.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 717.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories