Perfect Complements: 7 Flavorful Sides for Miso Cod

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Miso cod is the type of fish-based recipe that will give you the lightest, mildest, and most luxurious experience.

It is a must-try if you are into fish.

It is gentle and will not bother you with the deep fish flavors and aromas.

It requires lots of care when cooking because there is a very fine line between well-cooked and overcooked.

When overcooked, the experience is severely altered – the fish will no longer melt in your mouth.

The miso marinade adds to the overall effect, but it can also raise some question marks when not sure what to serve with miso cod.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Miso Cod?

Fish is a bit dull by itself. Some fish are too strong in flavors and can cause nausea after a few bites only – it needs something to neutralize those flavors.

Other types of fish are mild and may not be that problematic – such as cod.

But then, the miso marinade can still cause some problems if eaten alone.

Then, think about the fulfilling profile of fish – you want to feel full after a meal, hence the necessity of a side dish.

Finally, if you want to impress someone, you will never be able to do it with plain fish.

What to Serve with Miso Cod? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Here are some well-rated options when not sure what to serve with miso cod.

1 – Fried Shredded Kale Salad

Fish and salads work well because they are both light. They will not make you feel heavy and in need of a nap.

Instead, this is the type of meal that does what it is supposed to do – fuel you up with energy in a healthy way.

This side dish is fairly simple to prepare. Chopping the kale salad will let the freshness out. Frying it for a few minutes will ensure it is done, but without feeling too heavy for your miso cod.

2 – Sauteed Mushrooms and Ginger

This is one of the most appreciated side dishes for miso cod. Just like the kale salad, this side dish is light and mild.

While mushrooms work with miso cod regardless of how you cook them, sauteing them is the way forward because they are more versatile – they can take extra ingredients too.

The combo is more than enough, but ginger will complement it with its unique flavor. Keep it slightly tangy by going for pickled ginger.

3 – Raw Sesame Spinach

Some would refer to this side dish as a salad. The truth is it goes a bit further than that – you want it if you want to turn your miso cod into an actual meal.

There is not too much cooking involved either, so you can get this side dish ready within a few minutes only.

Mix all the spinach leaves with sesame seeds, and the fresh and hearty flavors will mix up.

Consider the miso cod, too and you have a pleasantly surprising combination.

Despite being simple, the side dish is quite refreshing and will add to the fish flavor.

4 – Sauteed Spinach and Onions

There is something about spinach and miso cod. The combo works well because both dishes are mild and refreshing.

The spinach must be either fresh or well-cooked to work with miso cod.

In this recipe, it must be cooked.

The paste texture of cooked spinach complements the miso cod nicely.

Red onions will take the flavor mix to another level to.

Regular onions are also accepted if you have no other options.

All in all, this side dish is light, delicious, and easy to prepare.

5 – Veggie Stir Fry Noodles

Miso cod works two ways – you can bring in something mild or something more fulfilling to contrast its light profile.

Get a stir fry mix based on a few vegetables only, whether you buy it readymade or make it yourself.

The veggies are great for the texture and color, while the noodles represent that fulfilling element.

The secret to a good combo and an explosion of flavors is in the actual proportions.

Quantities should be almost equal. Whatever the size of your fish is, the amount of noodles and stir fry veggies should be slightly bigger.

6 – Sticky Rice and Greens

Miso will work wonders on your cod and provide a caramelized taste with a natural kick.

Rice works well with fish, especially if left untouched. Sticky rice is a great choice because of the contrasting textures.

You will need slightly more rice than fish – proportions are relatively similar.

Leave it plain, no veggies or other enhancements.

You already have some side greens, which are more than enough. The greens should be fried and topped with sesame seeds for a mix of different flavors.

7 – Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

Wasabi mashed potatoes are easy to make, and they bring in a complementary flavor for the miso.

No wasabi? Use horseradish instead – the effect is pretty much the same, but less authentic.

You cannot go wrong with miso cod, and the classic mashed potatoes – a bit of butter and garlic will compliment your main dish.

What makes this combination appealing is the unusual profile.

It is not the most common choice out there, but give it a try. Keep the proportions equal, and the wasabi will work great with the mashed potatoes.

Everything works well in this combo, yet it may take your guess a few bites to understand the taste.

Conclusion

As a short final conclusion, you may find it difficult to determine what to serve with miso cod, especially if you are not familiar with different Asian cuisines.

The good news is there are lots of ideas out there. Any of the above-mentioned dishes will help you complement the miso flavor, but also enhance the mild flavors of cod.

Come up with some nice plating, and you will most likely impress your audience, whether you choose a complimentary side dish or a contrasting one.

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