Miso-glazed black cod is one of those dishes that feels indulgent yet deeply comforting. When paired with thick, chewy udon noodles, it transforms into a balanced, satisfying meal that blends Japanese tradition with a modern, cozy twist. The tender, buttery texture of black cod makes it a perfect match for the bold, umami-rich miso glaze.
The miso marinade is usually made with white miso paste, mirin, sake, and a touch of sugar, creating a slightly sweet, salty coating that caramelizes beautifully when the fish is broiled or pan-seared. After just a short time under high heat, the glaze becomes golden and sticky while the fish flakes apart with the lightest touch.
Served over a bowl of warm udon noodles, the dish becomes even more comforting. Udon’s thick, smooth texture absorbs the savory elements of the miso glaze and any accompanying broth. A light soy or dashi-based broth enhances the depth of flavor without overpowering the delicate fish. It’s not uncommon to add sautéed bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, or scallions for an extra layer of freshness and texture.
What makes this dish shine is its simplicity. It doesn’t rely on complicated techniques or long ingredient lists, just a smart combination of textures and flavors. The umami from the miso, the richness of the cod, and the neutral comfort of the noodles work in harmony.
Whether you’re looking for an impressive dinner or simply want to enjoy a bowl of something deeply satisfying, miso-glazed black cod with udon fits the moment. It’s warm, refined, and packed with flavor, yet feels like something you could return to over and over again.
Perfect for quiet evenings or as the centerpiece of a dinner with friends, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavor into your home kitchen – no fuss, just flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 black cod fillets
- 4 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 Green onions thinly sliced
- 2 packs udon noodles
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the miso paste, mirin, soy sauce, sake, and sugar until well combined.
- Brush the miso glaze on both sides of the black cod fillets.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the black cod fillets to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Meanwhile, cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions.
- Divide the cooked udon noodles among 4 plates and top each plate with a black cod fillet.
- Garnish with green onions and serve.
Does anyone know if I can use another type of fish? Can’t find black cod here.
You can definitely use another type of fish! Salmon or tilapia would work well, just adjust the cooking time a bit.
IDK sounds risky. Black cod is special, how’s it gonna taste with other fish? Maybe it won’t be the same…
Isn’t udon supposed to be for soup? Why is it here? Im confused.
I made this for my husband’s birthday and it was a hit! Fancy but not too hard.
I tried this but I don’t really like fish. I used chicken instead and it was terrible. 😅
Delicious dish, but I felt like I was missing something. Maybe some extra veggies next time!
Veggies? Why would you want to ruin a perfect dish with that? It’s already great as is! Just my opinion.
I totally agree, some extra veggies would be a nice touch! Maybe bell peppers or bok choy? Can’t wait to try it again.
This recipe is amazing! The miso glaze is to die for! Definitely my new favorite dish.
I totally agree! The miso glaze really elevates the dish! I added some sesame seeds too, it was delish!
So good! My fam loved it, especially with the udon. Thanks for sharing!
This recipe is AMAZING! The flavors are just perfect, I can’t believe how easy it was to make! Definitely a keeper!
I just don’t think fish and noodles go together. Better off with rice or some vegetables. 🙄
What is mirin? Can I just use water? Adding sugar is too many ingredients lol.
This recipe was amazing! The cod was so flavorful, and the udon paired perfectly. Will definitely make again! 😍
I don’t know, sounds kinda fancy for cod. Can it really be that good? 🤔
I’m so glad you loved it! The flavors are really something special with that miso glaze. 🥢
Easy recipe, but I couldn’t find mirin, so I used rice vinegar instead. It’s okay.
Was worried it might be too salty, but it was just right! Will make again.
This was amazing! The cod was so tender and flavorful. My family loved it! Will make again for sure.
So glad to hear it! This is my go-to recipe now too. It’s a hit with my friends!
Um, isn’t cod kind of dry normally? Not sure how it can be both tender and flavorful…
Yummy! The fish was so flaky and flavorful. I added sesame seeds for crunch.
This was incredible! The miso glaze gave the cod such a yummy flavor. Will make it again!
Never cooked fish before, but this was super easy! Even my kids asked for seconds. Who knew they’d like cod?
Miso and fish? Sounds kinda weird to me. Never heard of this before and I don’t think I’ll try it. No thanks.
I dunno, the cooking time seemed off. Mine was a bit overcooked. Next time I’ll try less time.
Yeah, cooking times can be tricky! Maybe try checking it earlier next time. It’s better to undercook than overcook fish.
Miso and fish? Sounds weird. I will stick to my fried chicken, thank you very much.
I get that fried chicken is a classic, but you should really give this a try! It’s super yummy and really healthy too!
Easiest recipe I’ve tried! My kids even liked it! Just watch the fish so it doesn’t burn.
Udon is my favorite! Noodles go with anything, I didn’t even know about cod. But this sounds good. I’ll give it a go!
Super easy to make! My kids loved it, they even asked for seconds! This is now a family favorite!
I’m so glad your kids loved it! It’s great when a dish becomes a family favorite. 😊
Easy to follow and very tasty! Even my picky kid ate the cod. Amazing!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s always a win when kids enjoy something healthy. 😊
So happy I found this! I used a different fish and it worked fine too!
I tried this but my cod didn’t cook right, it was too dry. Maybe I overcooked it? Not sure. I’ll try again though.
I’m not a fan of fish, but my friend made this and it smelled amazing! I might give it a try.
You should definitely give it a shot! The miso glaze is sooo good, even if you’re not into fish usually. 👌
My whole family loved it! I added some chili flakes for a kick — will make it again for sure!
Yum! I need to try it with chili flakes too! Sounds delicious!
I followed the recipe but used salmon instead of cod. It was still good but not sure if it was right. 🤔
I don’t think salmon would taste the same. Cod is special. Maybe try it next time? 🤷♂️
Using salmon sounds like a good idea! Fish is fish, right? 😄
Honestly, I don’t get why people think this is good. The fish just tasted weird to me.
Miso and fish? Sounds weird. I prefer pizza any day. Anyone agree?
This was so delicious! The miso glaze made the fish taste amazing. Will definitely make again!
I dunno… isn’t black cod expensive? I mean, can we really call it a ‘budget’ meal? Just sayin’.
I’m so glad you loved it! The miso glaze really does wonders with the fish. It’s one of my favorite recipes too!
Quick and easy. Don’t know why you’d wanna add a bunch of fancy stuff like miso tho. Just cook the fish simple and yummy.
Served this for dinner last night, and everyone loved it! Kids asked for seconds!
Made this for dinner last night, and my husband said it was the best meal ever! Thanks for sharing!
Simple but delicious! I added some sesame seeds for crunch!
Yummy!! 10/10 would eat again!
Sounds good, but isn’t black cod kinda expensive? I don’t know if it’s worth it for just a home meal.
I tried this recipe last night and it was amazing! The flavors were spot on. Definitely worth a try!
Not sure about this one. The miso taste was too strong for my liking and the texture was off. Maybe it’s just me.
I totally get what you mean! Miso can be really overpowering sometimes. Maybe you can try using less miso next time? Or adding more noodles to balance it out. 😅
Nah, I loved it! The flavor is just amazing, and the texture is perfect if you get it right. You gotta give it another shot!
I don’t know about this—sounds good, but my family is iffy about fish. I’ll give it a shot tho.
Pretty good, but my fish got a bit dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? I thought it would be more moist.
Too complicated for me, man. Who’s got time to make their own glaze?!
I tried this with salmon instead of black cod, and it turned out great! Just as good, if not better! 🙂
I bet salmon is super tasty with that glaze! I’ll have to try it that way next time!
Too much fish for me. I can’t believe people eat black cod like this. It’s weird! No thanks.
The udon noodles didn’t seem to fit. They taste too plain. Next time I’ll try rice instead.