#elegant

Chawanmushi — Japanese Savory Steamed Egg Custard

An elegant, savoury egg custard from Japan, steamed in a cup and eaten with a spoon: dashi whisked with egg into a silky, just-set custard hiding little treasures — a piece of chicken, a prawn, a slice of shiitake, ginkgo nuts, a sliver of kamaboko — finished with fragrant mitsuba. Chawanmushi (literally 'tea-cup steamed') is unique among custards for being umami-rich and unsweetened, served warm as a starter or alongside a Japanese meal. Smooth as silk when done right, it's all about the ratio of dashi to egg and a gentle, low steam.