Misoyaki Butterfish

Misoyaki Butterfish is a classic Hawaii dish. Impressive, delicious, and easy to make. Just marinate butterfish (black cod) overnight in a miso marinade, then bake in the oven and eat with rice ^_^

What Is Misoyaki Butterfish?

Misoyaki Butterfish is one of my all-time favorite local Hawaii dishes. It's made from black cod marinated in white miso, sake, mirin, and sugar. Marinate for 1-3 days, and then bake it in the oven!

It's one of those dishes that look fancy and impressive but is easy to make.

Misoyaki Butterfish also goes by other names:

• Miso Butterfish (most common and what we typically call it in Hawaii)
• Hawaiian Butterfish
• Miso Black Cod

You know Nobu's famous Miso Black Cod dish? I remember when it became a huge thing in the 90s and everyone on the mainland was crazy about it. Over here in Hawaii, we were thinking that was quite strange because we've been eating this same dish for many years already! Only we call it Miso Butterfish ^_^

What Is Butterfish

Here is the confusing part.

Misoyaki Butterfish is not made with an actual butterfish. The word butterfish references the super silky and buttery taste of the fish.

Misoyaki Butterfish is made with black cod! Black cod is the common name for Sablefish (Gindara in Japanese). And now, thanks to Hawaii and the popularity of this dish, butterfish is also another name for black cod.

If you go to any Hawaii supermarket and ask for butterfish, they will know exactly what you're asking for. If you go to a supermarket on the mainland and ask for butterfish, they will be very confused. When in doubt, ask for black cod.

Black cod is one of my favorite types of fish. It's a white fish that's high in fat (lots of omega-3!) and very rich and silky in texture. Black cod is also popular among people who claim to not like fish because it's less "fishy tasting" than other types of fish like tuna or salmon. Another bonus: because of the high fat content, it's slightly more forgiving when it comes to cooking. You don't need to be as worried about overcooking black cod.

The Marinade

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This dish has two components: the fish and the marinade.

Because of that, the marinade is extra important! Luckily it only calls for four ingredients that are already in the kitchen pantry of many local homes:

• Mirin
• Sake
• Sugar
• White Miso

To make the marinade, just combine mirin, sake, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil (stir to dissolve the sugar). Turn the heat to low and add the white miso.

Use a whisk to help break up the miso so that you get a beautiful, smooth marinade. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the marinade is a light caramel color.

Then remove from heat and set aside to cool completely before using.

What Else Can You "Misoyaki"

Black cod is the "classic" fish to use for this recipe, but you can use this marinade with many other types of fish. Just make sure to use a fatty fish like:

• Salmon
• Seabass

You can even use this marinade for chicken! I like to make it with chicken thighs.

Misoyaki Butterfish in Hawaii

Miso butterfish is so common in Hawaii...you can even buy it at Costco Hawaii!

Costco sells the fish already marinated. All you have to do is remove the marinated fillets from the package and bake it in the oven.

Nearly all Japanese (and many local) restaurants in Hawaii offer miso butterfish on the menu. Takeout spots include it in a bento. Fancy restaurants offer miso butterfish a la carte. Casual restaurants often feature it as part of a dinner set.

Everyone (even people who claim they don't like fish ;), loves miso butterfish.

Tips

Misoyaki Butterfish Recipe

This is our favorite recipe for butterfish and one that has been passed around between many family and friends! See below and enjoy ^_^