We’d like to introduce Japanese-Style Salt-Grilled Salmon, a dish commonly enjoyed as part of a traditional Japanese breakfast.
Traditionally, fish like salmon is grilled using a special fish grill or wire rack over an open flame. In this recipe, however, we’ll show you an easy and accessible method: simply season raw salmon with salt and cook it in a frying pan. This approach makes it easy to prepare even outside of Japan. If you have a nonstick (Teflon) pan, you can cook it without oil. If not, try using foil or parchment paper designed for frying pans to prevent sticking.
In Japan, it has long been common to enjoy a breakfast of steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and pickles. This combination not only reflects cultural tradition but also provides a well-balanced source of nutrition. Pairing rice with fermented foods like miso soup and pickles—often made with seasonal vegetables—alongside fish helps efficiently supply your body with essential nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and calcium to start your day.
Grilled fish in Japan is often served with condiments such as citrus fruits like yuzu or lemon, fresh herbs like shiso or sansho pepper, and grated daikon radish. These garnishes do more than add visual appeal—they help with sterilization, reduce any strong odors, support digestion and nutrient absorption, and enhance the overall flavor profile.
A traditional Japanese breakfast is not just nutritious—it enriches everyday life, offers a moment to connect with the seasons, and brings a sense of vitality to your morning. We invite you to experience the time-honored health benefits and beauty of washoku, Japanese cuisine, right at your own table.
Table of Contents
What is Japanese-Style Salt-Grilled
Shioyaki (literally “salt-grilling”) is a simple and traditional Japanese cooking method in which fish or other ingredients are seasoned with salt and then grilled. Instead of using strong seasonings like miso or soy sauce, the salt alone brings out the natural umami flavor of the ingredients.
Salt not only helps to preserve the fish, but also enhances its taste by drawing out excess moisture and eliminating unwanted odors. This process concentrates the flavor, firms up the flesh, and sometimes creates a pleasantly chewy texture. In some cases, it also promotes mild aging, which deepens the umami even further.
In Japan, shioyaki is commonly made with fish such as salmon, mackerel, yellowtail, or Spanish mackerel. It’s a popular dish for breakfast, set meals (teishoku), and even as a side in bento lunch boxes. You’ll often find salt-grilled fish served as part of a traditional Japanese breakfast at hotels.
Crisping the skin while keeping the inside tender is especially appreciated, and the fish is often grilled over an open flame or using a specialized fish grill. Shioyaki is more than just a way to cook—it’s a meaningful part of Japan’s seasonal cuisine, allowing people to savor fish at its peak freshness throughout the year. As a deeply rooted part of Japanese food culture, this minimal approach to seasoning expresses a respectful connection to both ingredients and the seasons.
The Story Behind This Recipe
Surrounded by the sea, Japan has long embraced fish as an essential part of everyday life. Dishes like sushi, simmered fish (nitsuke), and sashimi are often seen as the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Among them, salmon is the most widely consumed fish in Japan. It’s said that the average household consumes about 2,068 grams of salmon per year, followed by tuna (1,589g) and yellowtail (buri, 1,307g). Salmon is especially popular because it’s easy to handle, often sold as ready-to-cook fillets, and simple to prepare—making it a staple of home cooking.
Salt-grilled salmon is a comforting and familiar dish to many Japanese people—often considered the taste of home. It's particularly popular as a breakfast item, and if you've ever stayed at a hotel or traditional inn in Japan, chances are you've been served this dish as part of a Japanese-style breakfast.
We invite you to try making this classic at home and enjoy the warm, nourishing spirit of a traditional Japanese morning meal.
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- Fresh salmon fillets – 2 pieces (about 2.8–4.2 oz / 80–120 g each)
- Sea salt – 2 pinches (about 2–3% of the fillet weight)
Instructions
| 1 |
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Pat the salmon dry and sprinkle salt on both sides. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes, or up to overnight. Tip Using mineral-rich sea salt gives a milder saltiness and deeper flavor. To make salt-cured salmon, follow the same salting step, then drizzle 1 tablespoon of sake over the fillets. Let them rest for about 10 minutes, then wipe off any moisture with paper towels. Sprinkle salt equal to about 5% of the fillet’s weight, wrap each fillet in paper towel and plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. This method intensifies the flavor and firms up the flesh. Give it a try if you’d like a more savory and preserved version. |
| 2 |
 | Wipe off any excess moisture with a paper towel. Tip This step enhances the flavor by drawing out unwanted odors and concentrating the umami, while also adding a light seasoning. |
| 3 |
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Place the fillets skin-side down in a cold frying pan, then turn on the heat to medium-low. Cook for about 3 minutes without moving the salmon. Tip Starting with a cold pan prevents the skin from shrinking and becoming tough. Let the skin slowly crisp while the proteins set. Avoid touching the salmon during this step for a clean, even result. |
| 4 |
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Flip the fillets, cover the pan, and steam-cook for another 3 minutes. Tip Leave the skin uncovered to stay crispy. Once flipped, covering the pan helps the inside cook through gently, resulting in moist, tender salmon. |
| 5 |
 | Transfer to a plate and serve. Enjoy with grated daikon radish, citrus such as yuzu or lemon, or herbs like shiso leaves for added freshness and balance. |
Top Spots in Japan We Recommend — Denny's デニーズ
When you travel to Japan and stay at a hotel or ryokan (traditional inn), you’ll often find salt-grilled fish served as part of the breakfast.
Each hotel and ryokan usually offers its own unique take on a traditional Japanese breakfast, so be sure to enjoy what they have to offer first!
If you're staying somewhere that doesn't include breakfast, or if you simply want to try breakfast outside your accommodation, family restaurants are a great option.
In Japan, “family restaurants” are casual, family-friendly chain restaurants that serve a wide variety of Japanese and Western-style dishes. Popular chains such as Denny’s, Royal Host, and Gusto have locations all across the country, especially in urban areas.
While family restaurants are commonly visited for lunch or dinner, their breakfast menus are surprisingly good and offer excellent value for money. Another plus is that most of them have photo menus, making it easy for non-Japanese speakers to order.
My personal recommendation is Denny’s. Their breakfast sets include both Japanese and Western options, and they’re very reasonably priced. I used to eat there every morning for a while—it’s that good.
Next time you visit Japan, be sure to try breakfast at a family restaurant. It’s a delicious and affordable way to experience the kind of morning meal that many Japanese people enjoy every day.
Denny's デニーズ
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