Hoba Miso With Beef Recipe

This recipe is the perfect fusion of savory and sweet, with tender beef soaking up the umami-rich miso sauce that just hits all the right notes for a cozy meal. Plus, the simplicity of cooking it all on a single magnolia leaf (or baking paper) makes for not only easy cleanup but also a cool, Instagram-worthy presentation—because who doesn’t love that?

Hoba Miso with Beef is a dish that I am rather fond of and one that, if pressed, I could call a favorite among the many umami-packed meals I have had. There is supple sirloin, and then there is the sirloin in this dish, which is cut almost paper thin and cooked to an almost translucent state that (even more than usual) highlights the deep beefy flavor of the meat and the soy sauce in which it has been marinated.

The recipe pairs the straight-up flavor of the beef—made better through the cooking process—with shiitake mushrooms, whose earthiness is a beautiful counterpoint to the savory-sweet miso mixture of mirin, sake, and soy sauce that gets slathered onto the hoba leaf (or to your plates) before the dish goes into the oven.

Hoba Miso With Beef Recipe Ingredients

• Thinly sliced beef: Rich in protein and iron, adds savory richness.
• Miso paste: High in umami, contains probiotics and adds depth to flavor.
• Sake: Enhances flavor layers, balances sweet and salty tones.
• Mirin: Sweet rice wine adds sweetness, balancing savory elements.
• Soy sauce: Provides saltiness, rich in umami and enhances color.
• Mushrooms: Low in calories, high in fiber and nutrients, earthy flavor.
• Green onions: Fresh taste, adds crunch and color, mild spicy note.

Hoba Miso With Beef Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 200g thinly sliced beef (preferably sirloin or ribeye)
• 2 tablespoons miso paste (preferably red or awase miso)
• 1 tablespoon sake
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 2 slices dried magnolia leaf (if unavailable, use baking paper as substitute)
• Vegetable oil for cooking
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake or enoki are preferred)
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• A pinch of sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

How to Make this Hoba Miso With Beef Recipe

1. In a small bowl, combine the miso paste, sake, mirin, sugar, and soy sauce. Mix until smooth. This is your miso sauce.

2. Preheat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add vegetable oil to the pan. You need just enough to keep the food from sticking.

3. Put a dried magnolia leaf or baking paper in the bottom of the pan and allow it to heat for a minute.

4. Evenly spread half of the miso sauce over the magnolia leaf.

5. Place the sliced beef in a single layer above the miso sauce.

6. Evenly distribute the sliced mushrooms over the beef.

7. Ladle the leftover miso sauce on top of the beef and mushrooms.

8. Put a lid on the pan and allow it to cook for around 5-7 minutes or until the beef is done to your liking and the mushrooms are soft.

9. Gently take away from the place of the plate the magnolia leaf with beef and mushrooms and put it on the serving dish.

10. Top with green onion, sliced, and a scattering of sesame seeds.

Hoba Miso With Beef Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Small mixing bowl
2. Spoon or small whisk
3. Large skillet or frying pan with lid
4. Measuring spoons
5. Cooking oil brush or paper towel (for oil application)
6. Ladle or spoon (for spreading sauce)
7. Tongs or spatula (for handling beef and mushrooms)
8. Serving dish

FAQ

• What can I use as a substitute for magnolia leaves?In the absence of magnolia leaves, a piece of baking paper can be used.
• Can I use a different type of miso paste?Certainly, you can use white miso for a milder flavor, but red or awase miso are what we prefer.
• Is there a non-alcoholic substitute for sake?Sake can be substituted with a mixture of water and rice vinegar or diluted apple cider vinegar. This is a good stand-in for sake when you’re cooking Japanese food and otherwise don’t have the Japanese rice wine on hand.
• What other cuts of beef can be used?If sirloin or ribeye is unavailable, you may use other tender cuts, such as tenderloin or flank steak.
• Can I add vegetables to the dish?Of course, vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini can be added for additional texture and taste.
• What is the role of mirin in the recipe?A touch of sweetness is contributed by mirin, which also serves to balance the dish’s savory flavors.
• Is it necessary to garnish with sesame seeds?Optionally, sesame seeds can be used as a garnish, but they add a nice crunch and visual appeal.

Hoba Miso With Beef Recipe Substitutions and Variations

For the beef that is cut so thin, you can switch it out for chicken cut just as thin or a hearty vegetarian option, such as firm tofu.
Use a mix of rice vinegar and a touch of sugar in place of mirin.
1. If you lack sake, you can substitute it with dry sherry.
2. Another option would be to use a little white wine.
For soy sauce, you can use tamari or coconut aminos as an alternative.

Pro Tips

1. For deeper flavor, marinate the sliced beef in half of the miso sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This not only enhances the taste but also tenderizes the meat slightly.

2. If you prefer a smoky aroma, lightly toast the magnolia leaf over an open flame or directly on an electric stove for a few seconds before placing it in the pan.

3. To add a touch of color and flavor complexity, consider lightly searing the sliced mushrooms in a separate pan with a little oil before adding them on top of the beef.

4. For added umami, sprinkle a small amount of kombu dashi powder or a few drops of fish sauce into the miso sauce mixture.

5. If you enjoy a bit of spice, add a pinch of chili flakes or shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice) to the miso sauce or as a garnish to elevate the dish’s flavor profile.