While miso and salmon are a traditional pairing in Japanese cuisine (misozuke), the addition of butter is a modern touch that elevates this dish into a weeknight favorite known for its unparalleled Umami depth and rich flavor profile. This recipe is a perfect example of modern Japanese home cooking, where simple, high-quality ingredients are transformed with minimal effort.

The Power of Miso Butter

Miso paste, a fermented soybean seasoning, is already packed with savory umami. When combined with butter—a ingredient heavily featured in modern Yoshoku dishes—it creates a creamy, deeply complex, and irresistible glaze. The butter helps the miso caramelize slightly on the fish, creating a beautiful golden-brown crust while keeping the salmon flaky and moist inside.

This dish is a testament to the Japanese concept of wa (harmony), where the saltiness of the miso and soy sauce, the sweetness of the mirin, and the richness of the butter come together to create a perfectly balanced bite.

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Recipe: Quick Miso Butter Salmon

Yields: 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Salmon Fillets	$2$ ($150\text{g}$ each)	Skin on or off
Butter	$2\text{tbsp}$	Softened
Miso Paste	$2\text{tbsp}$	White or Awase (mixed) miso
Mirin	$1\text{tbsp}$	Sweet rice wine
Soy Sauce	$1\text{tsp}$
Scallions/Sesame Seeds	For garnish

Instructions (Baking Method):

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to $200^\circ \text{C}$ ($400^\circ \text{F}$). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Mix the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, miso paste, mirin, and soy sauce until a smooth, thick glaze is formed.
3. Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Glaze: Spread the miso butter mixture generously over the top of each salmon fillet.
5. Bake: Bake for $12-15$ minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, until the salmon is flaky and the miso butter is lightly caramelized.
6. Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds, often accompanied by rice and a simple cucumber salad.