What to Serve with Unagi Don (13 Easy Sides)

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, then you’ve probably had unagi don before.

Unagi don is a popular dish that consists of grilled eel over steamed rice.

It’s a simple yet delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner.

So, what should you serve with unagi don?

There are a few things that go well with unagi don, such as rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and green tea. For the rice, you can either have steamed white rice or sushi rice. The miso soup can be a traditional one with tofu and seaweed or a more modern version with mushrooms. As for the pickled vegetables, they can be anything from cucumbers to radishes.

In this blog post, I will share 13 tasty sides that go well with unagi don.

From traditional Japanese sides to Western-influenced dishes, there’s something for everyone.

So if you’re looking for ideas on what to serve with your next unagi don meal, be sure to check out this blog post!

What to Serve with Unagi Don?

There are many options for what to serve with unagi don. Traditional Japanese sides for unagi don include pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. You can also serve unagi don with rice, miso soup, salad, or steamed vegetables.

1. Spicy Garlic Ginger Edamame

If you like something spicy, you’ll love this dish!

It’s a great way to enjoy edamame, which are Japanese soybeans that have been shelled and boiled.

You can serve them as is, or add them to a variety of dishes.

Here, we’ve combined them with garlic and ginger to give them a little heat.

If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can omit the chili pepper and add a touch of honey instead.

Either way, this is a delicious and hearty side dish that will complement any meal.

2. Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional Japanese dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish.

It’s perfect for pairing with Unagi Don, which is a popular sushi roll made with eel.

Miso soup is also great as a starter for any sushi meal.

In addition, miso soup can be flavored with different ingredients to make it more unique.

For example, you can add in seaweed or mushrooms to give it a more complex flavor.

Or, you can make it sweeter by adding in honey or maple syrup.

3. Green Salad

Yes, even a simple green salad can be served alongside Unagi Don.

The flavors are complementary and the salad provides a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals that can help to round out a meal.

For a simple yet elegant salad, start with a bed of mixed greens.

Add in some diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.

Top it off with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil and vinegar.

Serve alongside your favorite Unagi Don recipe for a perfect summertime meal.

4. Asian Cucumber Salad

Speaking of Asian flavors, Asian cucumber salads are typically light and refreshing, thanks to the inclusion of cucumbers.

You can also experiment with other ingredients to create your own unique version of this dish.

For example, you could add shredded carrots, bell peppers, or snow peas for a more substantial salad.

And of course, don’t forget the dressing!

A simple vinaigrette made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil is perfect for adding flavor and balance to this meal.

5. Potato Salad

What’s more classic than potato salad?

It’s a great side dish for any type of main course, and it can be topped with just about anything.

This version is especially delicious, because it features tender, fresh unagi.

If you can’t find unagi, feel free to substitute another type of fish.

Just be sure to adjust the seasoning accordingly.

For example, if you’re using trout, you might want to add a bit more salt and pepper.

In addition to unagi, you could add chopped onion, celery, and bell peppers to the salad.

Try serving it with a light vinaigrette made with olive oil and vinegar.

This will give the salad a refreshing flavor that will complement the fish perfectly.

6. Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is easy, simple, and can be customized to fit any taste.

The key is to use a good quality pasta, like penne or shells.

You can also add in some shredded cheese, chopped onions, and celery for extra flavor.

Make sure to season the salad liberally with salt and pepper before serving.

If you’re feeling fancy, you can even make a vinaigrette using mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and lemon juice.

Add in some chopped fresh parsley or basil for an extra boost of flavor.

Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy!

7. Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is filling, hearty, and perfect for summertime gatherings.

In addition to pasta, you can use any type of cooked grain or bean that you have on hand.

For the dressing, you can use any type of vinegar or oil that you like.

However, I recommend using a vinaigrette made with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

This combination provides a delicious balance of tart and sweet flavors, as well as a touch of complexity.

I also recommend adding chopped fresh herbs such as dill, parsley, or basil to give the salad an extra boost of flavor.

When it comes to toppings, anything goes!

You can add diced tomatoes, shaved cheese, roasted red peppers, or anything else that sounds good to you.

Just be sure to keep the salad light and healthy so that everyone can enjoy it.

8. Broccoli Salad

Most people think of broccoli as a boring vegetable, but it makes a great side dish for Unagi Don.

Broccoli is a very versatile vegetable, and it can be dressed up in a variety of ways.

For this broccoli salad, start by mixing together some diced broccoli, red onion, cilantro, and sunflower seeds.

Then, add in a dressing made with olive oil and vinegar.

This recipe is really easy to make, so you can whip it up in minutes.

If you want to add a little more flavor, you can drizzle some soy sauce or sesame oil over the top.

Serve this salad alongside your favorite Unagi Don recipe for a delicious and healthy meal.

9. Fruit Salad

How about serving some delicious and fresh fruit salad to go with your Unagi Don?

A fruit salad is a perfect way to end a meal, and it’s also a great way to mix things up.

You can use whatever type of fruit you like: fresh or frozen.

Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mangos, and pineapple are all great choices.

If you have any extra fruits that are going bad, feel free to add them to the salad.

Just be sure to chop them up so they’re easy to eat. Another great addition to a fruit salad is diced ham or bacon.

It adds a bit of savory flavor and some extra protein.

If you’re looking for something a little more complex, try adding in some chopped nuts or seeds.

Whatever you decide to add, just make sure it’s delicious and filling!

10. Vegetable Platter

This is a super easy way to get a vegetable dish on the table in a hurry.

All you need is some rice and steamed vegetables.

You could use any type of vegetable, but some good choices include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, and simmered root vegetables.

You can also add tofu or tempeh to this dish if you’d like.

Simply steam the vegetables until they are tender and then serve them over cooked rice.

This is a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies, and it’s easy enough that you can make it on a busy night.

11. Sushi Rolls

I probably don’t have to tell you how delicious sushi rolls are, but I’ll mention that they’re also a great dish to serve with Unagi Don.

In Japan, sushi rolls are often served with eel – a type of fish that’s usually quite expensive.

But by making your own sushi rolls, you can control the ingredients and make them as affordable as possible.

For this recipe, you’ll need: sushi rice, a piece of unagi (or salmon), avocado, nori (seaweed), and soy sauce.

1. To make the sushi rolls, start by boiling water in a pot and adding the rice.
2. Cook according to package instructions.
3. Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly.
4. Then, using your hands, form it into a ball.
5. Next, add the unagi to the center of the rice ball and roll it up tightly.
6. Slice into bite-sized pieces and place on a plate.
7. Top with avocado and soy sauce before serving.

12. Rice

For Unagi Don, you can use white or brown rice.

If you’re serving other types of sushi, such as tuna or shrimp rolls, cooked white rice is a good option.

Just be sure to add some soy sauce or wasabi paste to taste, and maybe a little bit of mirin for added sweetness.

You can also stir-fry rice with various vegetables and meats, making it a versatile and healthy meal choice.

13. Chinese Broccoli with Garlic Sauce

Unagi Don side dishes are hard to come by, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious meal.

If you’re looking for something a little more interesting than steamed rice, try pairing Unagi Don with Chinese broccoli.

The broccoli is cooked until tender, and then it’s tossed in a garlic sauce that’s subtly spiced.

It’s a delicious and healthy dish that will complement the seafood perfectly.

To make things even easier, try prepping all of the ingredients the night before and cooking them together in the morning.

That way, everything comes out tasting great and you don’t have to worry about making any mistakes.