Steamed Clams in Sake: A Simple & Delicious Recipe
Effortless Appetizer! Steamed Clams (Asari no Sakamushi)
Incredibly easy to make, with a taste that will make you say ‘Wow!’ This is the classic steamed clam dish from the Japanese drama ‘Midnight Diner.’ Perfect as a delightful appetizer or a comforting meal, it pairs wonderfully with a cold drink.
Main Ingredients- 450g Fresh Manila Clams (Vongole/Asari)
- Coarse Salt (for purging sand) as needed
- Scallions (for garnish) a small amount
Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 cup Sake (or Mirin) (100ml)
- 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (approx. 15g)
- 0.3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 4.5ml)
- 1/2 cup Sake (or Mirin) (100ml)
- 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (approx. 15g)
- 0.3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 4.5ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the clams under cold running water to remove any grit. Place the clams in a bowl large enough to hold them comfortably. Fill the bowl with enough water to cover the clams completely. Add a generous amount of coarse salt (mimicking seawater salinity). Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in a dark, cool place for at least 4 hours, or ideally half a day, to purge them of any sand. Changing the water once or twice during purging can help.
Step 2
After the clams have been sufficiently purged, gently rinse them again under cold running water to remove excess salt. Transfer all the purged clams into a pot or a deep pan. Pour 1/2 cup of sake (or mirin) evenly over the clams. Cover the pot with a lid and prepare to steam them over medium-high heat.
Step 3
Steam the clams over medium-high heat with the lid on until all the clam shells have opened wide. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes, depending on the quantity. You’ll hear the shells opening as they cook.
Step 4
Once all the clams have opened nicely, carefully remove them from the pot and set them aside in a separate bowl. Don’t discard the flavorful broth remaining in the pot!
Step 5
To the reserved clam broth in the pot, add 1 tablespoon of butter for richness and 0.3 tablespoons of soy sauce to enhance the umami flavor. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the butter is fully melted and the ingredients are well combined. The broth will reduce slightly, concentrating its delicious taste.
Step 6
Once the flavorful broth is ready, pour it evenly over the steamed clams that were set aside in step (4). The warm broth will seep into the clams, making them even more succulent and delicious.
Step 7
Finally, finely chop some scallions and sprinkle them over the clams for a beautiful garnish. The fresh green scallions add a vibrant color and refreshing aroma, elevating the presentation of the dish. Your delicious steamed clams are now ready!
Step 8
A visually appealing and deliciously satisfying dish! The preparation is simple, but the taste is anything but ordinary. If you’ve had a long day, treat yourself to this special dish paired with a cold beer or a glass of sake. Don’t forget to have some crusty bread or pasta ready to soak up that amazing broth!
