Chawanmushi cups
Chawanmushi Cups
Chawanmushi is one of Japanese cuisine's most elegant dishes, a silky, trembling steamed egg custard served in a lidded ceramic cup, typically as part of a formal meal or kaiseki course. The name means steamed in a tea bowl, and the vessel is genuinely central to the dish: it is placed directly in a steamer over simmering water for ten to twelve minutes, which means it must be heat-resistant, well-proportioned and properly lidded to produce the right result. Using the wrong cup, one that is too wide, too shallow or not heat-rated for steaming, leads to uneven cooking and a compromised texture.
The custard itself is made from egg beaten with dashi in a ratio of roughly one egg to two parts dashi, then strained through a fine sieve to remove bubbles and fibres, producing a liquid of remarkable smoothness. The filling ingredients, typically shrimp, chicken, kamaboko fish cake, mitsuba herb and ginkgo nut, are placed in the cup first, the custard poured over them and the lid placed on before steaming. The finished chawanmushi should be barely set, quivering gently when the cup is moved, with a completely smooth surface unmarked by bubbles.
The cups in this collection are specifically designed and rated for steaming use. They range from traditional Japanese ceramic designs in understated glazed finishes to more contemporary styles from makers like Hasami porcelain. The matching lids are essential, they trap steam inside the cup during cooking, which contributes to the even, gentle setting of the custard. Most models in this range are also suitable for serving hot miso soup and other small portions, making them versatile additions to the table.
Chawanmushi cups also make a thoughtful and distinctive gift for anyone interested in Japanese cooking.
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Explore our full bowls collection or browse Hasami porcelain for beautiful ceramic alternatives.
Showing 13 products
AVAILABILITY: In stock (-5 items)
The Steaming Plate is a Japanese perforated plate for steaming food in a wok or pot - place inside a bamboo steamer or directly over simmering water to steam dumplings, fish, and vegetables without a dedicated steamer basket. Provenance Made...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (7 items)
Sensuji Cups (set of 4) are Arita porcelain chawanmushi cups with lids in the classic Sensuji fine stripe pattern, crisp blue and white for steamed egg custard, small soups, and baked starters. Artisan Pottery Style Authentic Limited-Edition Arita Ware (Arita-yaki...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (497 items)
Chawanmushi Spoons Moku (set of 4) are Japanese natural wood spoons with a protective urethane coating and a Moku wood grain look, designed for scooping chawanmushi steamed egg custard and soft desserts. In the Box Set of 4 Japanese Wooden...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (-2 items)
Oden dashi is a classic Japanese soup stock base, lightly seasoned with soy, mirin, and konbu. Just add your favourite oden ingredients for an authentic winter hot-pot experience. Type Ready-to-use oden soup base / 1 pack of 60g Origin Japan...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (-4 items)
Udon Soup Stock, a ready-to-use Japanese dashi concentrate for making authentic udon broth. Dilute and heat for a clean, umami-rich soup base in seconds. Contents 8 sachets × 8g (64g total) Usage 1 sachet per 250ml water Origin Made in...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (494 items)
Nashiji Chawanmushi Cups are Mino-yaki ceramic lidded cups with a Nashiji pear-skin speckled glaze - a prestigious finish associated with Japanese lacquerware and Edo-period craft, applied here to chawanmushi cups. Artisan Pottery Style Authentic Mino ceramic Product Type Traditional Savory...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (5 items)
Tokusa Cups (set of 4) are porcelain chawanmushi cups with lids in the classic Tokusa horsetail reed stripe pattern in crisp blue and white - one of the most beloved and enduring traditional Japanese ceramic designs. Product Category Traditional Japanese...
AVAILABILITY: Out of Stock
Small Spoons WAKA are petite Japanese ceramic spoons with a delicate Waka young-shoot glaze in fresh green tones. Perfect for desserts, dipping sauces, and condiment portions on a Japanese table. Glaze Waka (young spring shoot) green Material Ceramic Origin Japan...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
Kiku Chawanmushi Cups are Japanese ceramic steamed egg cups with a Kiku chrysanthemum motif, elegantly proportioned for chawanmushi savoury custard and small desserts in a refined Japanese meal service. Product Category Traditional Japanese Multi-Use Steaming & Baking Cups with Lids...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (500 items)
Karakusa Chawanmushi Cups are Japanese ceramic steamed egg cups with the classic Karakusa arabesque vine scroll pattern - one of Japan's most enduring and beloved traditional ceramic designs. Artisan Pottery Style Authentic Arita Ware Porcelain (Arita-yaki / 有田焼) Product Type...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (0 items)
Gingko Nuts, the seeds of the Japanese gingko tree, a rare autumn delicacy with a distinctive bitter-sweet flavour. Used in chawanmushi, mixed rice, and traditional celebrations. Contents 3 cans × 55g net weight each Origin Made in Japan 🇯🇵 Browse...
AVAILABILITY: In stock (-1 items)
Chawanmushi Wooden Spoons (set of 4) are traditional Japanese wooden dessert spoons sized for scooping chawanmushi steamed egg custard. Natural wood that adds warmth to a refined Japanese meal service. In the Box Set of 4 Japanese Wooden Spoons Length...