Miso Butter Cod with Courgette Noodles & Crispy Shallots

A little miso butter can turn the simplest white fish into something worthy of linen napkins and candlelight.

Why Miso Butter Cod Deserves a Place at Your Table.

Miso butter cod is one of those dishes that makes you wonder why you haven’t been making it all along. The rich umami from miso melts into butter, coating flaky white cod with depth and savoury warmth. Because of this, the fish tastes restaurant-worthy, yet the method is surprisingly simple. Pair it with sesame courgette noodles and crispy shallots, and you have a light but indulgent plate that looks impressive without the stress.

A Little Story Behind Miso Butter Cod

I used to believe compound butter belonged only to French kitchens. Garlic, parsley, lemon zest – that was my idea of luxury. Then I discovered miso butter, the Japanese take on the idea, and everything changed. Brushed over cod fillets, it transformed the fish into something extraordinary.

The ribboned courgette noodles came from a gadget obsession. Like everyone who buys a spiraliser, I ran every vegetable through it. Courgette noodles with sesame dressing stuck. They’re crisp, nutty, and refreshing – like the best salad, disguised as noodles.

The final touch was crispy shallots. Fried until golden, they scatter over the top like edible confetti, adding sweetness, crunch, and balance.

Why This Miso Butter Cod Recipe Works

• The Compound Butter Technique → Flavoured butter feels chef-like but takes seconds. Miso is the game-changer here.
• The Courgette Noodle Revelation → Sesame-dressed courgettes are refreshing and crunchy.
• The Crispy Shallot Magic → Sweet, golden shallots add texture and contrast.
• The Light but Satisfying Factor → This miso butter cod is rich but balanced, perfect when you want special without heavy.

Bringing it all together.

Miso butter works because each layer adds something different. The cod brings clean flavour, the miso butter adds richness, the courgette noodles keep it fresh, and the crispy shallots finish it with crunch and sweetness. Together, they create balance: light but indulgent, simple but special. It’s a dish that looks like fine dining yet belongs in your regular weeknight rotation.

If you loved this recipe, you’ll probably also enjoy my Miso Salmon – another dish where umami-rich butter transforms simple fish into something unforgettable.

Love to see things come together in real life? You can watch me make this over on my Tik Tok Channel here.