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.
Discover more in our subcategories:
Explore our full bowls collection or browse Hasami porcelain for beautiful ceramic alternatives.
Showing 13 products
