Pop Japan

Chawanmushi is one of the must-try Japanese appetizers. The word chawanmushi literally means "steamed in a tea bowl." It is actually the Japanese version of creme brulee, but it is not a dessert. It actually has an umami flavor because of the mix of shoyu or Japanese soy sauce, dashi or a miso-based flavoring, mirin or the low-alcohol rice wine. Vegetables are also added like shitake mushrooms, ginkgo seed, kamaboko, yuri ne or lily root and a boiled shrimp. It is cooked in a tea cup container and can be served hot or cold. Because it has a soup base, spoon is used to eat this wonderful Japanese appetizer. 

Tags: food, chawanmushi, japanese appetizer, steamed in a tea bowl, creme brulee, not a dessert, umami flavor, dashi, shoyu, miso, mirin, shitake mushroom, shrimp, yuri ne