Japan Two Miso Barbecue Sauces

On The Side

These creamy, sweet-salty sauces are two of the glories of Japanese grilling. You find them at humble yakitori parlors and at grand restaurants. They owe their rich tangy flavor to miso, a nutritious paste made from cultured (fermented) soy beans and grains. It’s impossible to describe the exact flavor of miso, but if you imagine the salty tang of a bouillon cube crossed with the richness of cream cheese, you’ll start to get the idea.

Miso is readily available in natural foods stores and Japanese markets, and in the produce section of many supermarkets. Stored in the refrigerator, it keeps almost indefinitely. Here are two miso barbecue sauces used widely in Japanese grilling.