Japanese Steamed Clams

4.72 from 7 votes
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Japanese Steamed Clams - steamed Manila (Asari) clams with butter, Japanese sake and mirin. Briny, delicious and takes only 10 minutes.

Quick and easy Japanese steamed clams with butter, Japanese sake and mirin.
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Orginally published on September 13, 2008. Updated with new photos.

If you love Japanese restaurants, especially Japanese izakaya (casual restaurants serving yakitori, grilled foods and sake), I am sure you know this classic Japanese steamed clams dish. It’s called sari no sakamushi, a personal favorite that I never miss out whenever I dine at izakaya.

Close up Japanese steamed clams.

I first experienced Japanese izakaya dining when I visited Tokyo. During the trip, I had numerous meals at an izakaya in a small alley right next to my hotel. Sitting on a tatami mat and dined from a low table in a traditional Japanese setting, my host introduced me to yakitori, steamed clams, chicken karaage, yakisoba, agedashi tofu and various mouthwatering Japanese small-plates. I was instantly hooked.

Steamed Manila (Asari) clams with butter and Japanese sake, ready to serve.

This Japanese steamed clams recipe is very easy and takes practically 10 minutes. It calls for only four (4) main ingredients: manila clams, Japanese cooking sake and mirin (sweet wine seasoning) and butter. The end result is tantalizing, and it’s especially comforting and satisfying in the colder Fall/Winter nights. Enjoy!

Looking for more clam recipes? Check out my Kam Heong Clams recipe!


Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories per serving?

This recipe is only 304 calories per serving.

Fresh Japanese Manila (Asari) clams steamed with butter, Japanese sake and mirin in a bowl.

What To Serve With Japanese Steamed Clams

For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

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4.72 from 7 votes

Japanese Steamed Clams

Japanese Steamed Clams – Manila (Asari) clams with butter, Japanese sake and mirin. Briny, delicious and takes only 10 mins.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 people
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Ingredients  

  • 1 1/2 lb (750g) Manila clams
  • 1/3 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup cooking sake
  • 1/4 cup mirin
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped scallion, green part only

Instructions 

  • Clean the clams thoroughly and set aside. Heat up a saucepan on medium heat and add the butter. As soon as the butter melts, transfer the clams into the pan and do a few quick stirs. Add the water, sake, and mirin into the clams and cover the pan with its lid.
  • Turn the heat to high and bring the clams to boil. As soon as all the clams are open, add in salt to taste. Dish out into a bowl, garnish with the chopped scallion, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 2people, Calories: 552kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 51g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 143mg, Sodium: 427mg, Potassium: 184mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1521IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 147mg, Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Bee Yinn Low

Bee is a recipe developer and best-selling cookbook author, sharing easy, quick, and delicious Asian and American recipes since 2006. With a strong following of almost 2 million fans online, her expertise has been featured in major publications, TV and radio programs, and live cooking demos throughout the United States and Asia.

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8 Comments

  1. Japanese Food Restaurant says:

    5 stars
    Thank you!! Yes, this is very tasty and flavorful dish. I really like it.

  2. Pei Fen says:

    HI Bee,

    May I know if I can use oil instead go butter?

    I am thinking my 79 year old father may not like the butter….

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      He won’t know. Trust me!

  3. Sue says:

    Hi there, what can I use instead of sake? White wine? Thank you.

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      Yes, or Chinese rice wine.

  4. Sue says:

    Can I replace sake with white wine? Thanks.

    1. Rasa Malaysia says:

      Yes.

  5. Kate says:

    I really love seafoods! Glad to have checked your blog.