Saba Nanban
Saba Nanban is a delightful Japanese dish featuring mackerel marinated in a tangy vinegar sauce, served with a colorful vegetable salad. This dairy-free recipe is both refreshing and nutritious, making it a perfect lunch option.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Japanese
350 kcal
Ingredients
- Mackerel fillets - 200 grams
- Salt - 1 teaspoon
- Rice vinegar - 3 tablespoons
- Soy sauce - 1 tablespoon
- Mirin - 1 tablespoon
- Sugar - 1 teaspoon
- Carrot - 1 medium, julienned
- Cucumber - 1 medium, julienned
- Red onion - 1/4 medium, thinly sliced
- Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon
- Sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon
- Fresh parsley - for garnish
Steps
- 1. Rinse the mackerel fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- 2. Sprinkle salt evenly over the fillets and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
- 3. In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
- 4. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and sear the mackerel fillets, skin-side down, for about 5 minutes or until crispy. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
- 5. Remove the mackerel from the pan and place it in a shallow dish. Pour the vinegar mixture over the hot fish and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
- 6. In a separate bowl, combine julienned carrot, cucumber, and red onion. Drizzle with sesame oil and toss to coat.
- 7. Serve the marinated mackerel with the vegetable salad on the side. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh parsley.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Total Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids which promote heart health.
- Contains vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables that support overall well-being.
Tags
JapaneseDairy-FreeLunch