Japanese Pan-fried Salmon Pasta

Featured in: Spicy Entrées

Enjoy tender salmon fillets perfectly pan-fried until crisp, paired with spaghetti tossed in a savory sauce featuring soy, mirin, butter, and garlic. Scallions add freshness, while toasted sesame seeds provide a subtle crunch and Japanese flair. The salmon may be served atop the pasta or gently folded in for bites bursting with flavor. This main dish delivers a fusion of textures and tastes, balancing umami-rich sauce with vibrant garnishes including lemon wedges. Easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, it suits pescatarian diets and can be customized by swapping noodles or adding miso paste for more depth. Serve with sake or chilled white wine for a complete meal.

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By Isabella Flores

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:07:00 GMT

Crispy Japanese pan-fried salmon pasta garnished with fresh scallions and sesame seeds. | pepperplume.com

A fusion pasta dish featuring crispy pan-seared salmon, al dente spaghetti, and a savory Japanese-inspired sauce with soy, mirin, and fresh scallions.

I first created this recipe when experimenting with classic pasta and Japanese sauces, and it became a favorite for its delicious taste and versatility.

Ingredients

Salmon fillets: 4 skin-on, about 150 g each
Spaghetti: 350 g
Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons
Garlic: 3 cloves, finely minced
Scallions: 2, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
Soy sauce: 3 tablespoons
Mirin: 2 tablespoons
Sake: 1 tablespoon (optional)
Unsalted butter: 1 tablespoon
Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon
Toasted sesame seeds: 1 tablespoon
Lemon wedges: optional, for serving

Instructions

Cook Pasta:: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
Season Salmon:: Pat salmon fillets dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Pan-fry Salmon:: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 3–4 minutes until skin is crispy. Flip and cook for 2–3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove salmon and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics:: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and half the scallions, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Make Sauce:: Add soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), and butter to the skillet, stirring until butter melts and sauce thickens.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:: Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Drizzle with sesame oil.
Add Salmon:: Flake salmon into large pieces and gently fold into pasta, or serve whole fillets on top.
Serve:: Divide among plates, sprinkle with remaining scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

This dish always reminds me of a Japanese restaurant meal enjoyed with family, and it is a favorite request on weekend nights.

Required Tools

Large pot, skillet, tongs, knife, and cutting board are all recommended for preparing this dish efficiently.

Notes

For extra umami, add a tablespoon of miso paste to the sauce. Substitute with udon or soba noodles for variety. Pair with white wine or chilled sake.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 525, Total Fat: 20 g, Carbohydrates: 52 g, Protein: 33 g per serving.

Enjoy this fusion salmon pasta for a delightful twist on traditional comfort food, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Japanese Pan-fried Salmon Pasta

Pan-seared salmon and spaghetti with soy-mirin sauce create a vibrant fusion main meal for four.

Prep duration

15 min

Cook duration

20 min

Complete duration

35 min

Created by Isabella Flores

Type Spicy Entrées

Complexity Easy

Heritage Japanese Fusion

Output 4 Portions

Diet considerations None specified

Components

Proteins

01 4 salmon fillets, skin-on, approximately 5.3 oz each

Pasta

01 12 oz spaghetti

Vegetables & Aromatics

01 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

02 3 garlic cloves, finely minced

03 2 scallions, thinly sliced, plus extra for garnish

Sauce

01 3 tablespoons soy sauce

02 2 tablespoons mirin

03 1 tablespoon sake, optional

04 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

05 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Garnishes

01 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

02 Lemon wedges, optional

Directions

Phase 01

Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

Phase 02

Prepare Salmon: Pat salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.

Phase 03

Pan-Sear the Salmon: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook 3 to 4 minutes until the skin crisps. Flip and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Phase 04

Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and half the scallions; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Phase 05

Prepare Sauce: Add soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), and butter to the skillet, stirring until butter melts and sauce slightly thickens.

Phase 06

Toss Pasta: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet, toss to coat in sauce. Incorporate reserved pasta water as needed to adjust consistency. Drizzle with sesame oil.

Phase 07

Add Salmon: Flake the salmon into large pieces and gently fold into the pasta or serve whole fillets atop the pasta.

Phase 08

Garnish and Serve: Divide pasta among plates. Sprinkle with remaining scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Necessary tools

Large pot
Skillet
Tongs
Knife and cutting board

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and seek professional health advice if you're uncertain.

Contains fish, soy, wheat (from soy sauce and pasta), and sesame. Use tamari and gluten-free pasta for gluten-free adaptation.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.

Energy: 525
Fats: 20 g
Carbohydrates: 52 g
Proteins: 33 g