It’s carbonara, but not as your nonna knows it

Name: It’s carbonara, but not as your nonna knows it
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Contemporary
Ingredients: 250g skinless salmon fillets, finely chopped; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp sesame oil; 4 spring onions, white part finely sliced and green part cut into 4cm lengths; 400g spaghetti; 2 egg yolks; ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan; 1 tbsp white miso; 2 tbsp furikake (see note)

Classic carbonara meets the umami depth of Japanese wafu flavours in this midweek banger.

Jessica Brook

August 7, 2025

Crispy salmon and miso carbonara takes a favourite dish in a new direction. James Moffatt

easyTime:< 30 minsServes:4

This dish blends the creamy indulgence of carbonara with vibrant Japanese ingredients, highlighted by crispy salmon, savoury miso, and a final flourish of furikake.

Ingredients

250g skinless salmon fillets, finely chopped
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame oil
4 spring onions, white part finely sliced and green part cut into 4cm lengths
400g spaghetti
2 egg yolks
⅓ cup finely grated parmesan
1 tbsp white miso
2 tbsp furikake (see note)

Method

Step 1
Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Place salmon, soy and sesame oil in a bowl and toss to combine. Add the salmon and cook, stirring frequently for 8-10 minutes, or until crisp and flaky. Add the spring onion and cook for 1 minute, or until just wilted. Remove from the stove and set aside.
Step 2
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, about 6-8 minutes, then drain, reserving ¾ cup of the pasta cooking water.
Step 3
Place the egg yolks, parmesan, miso and reserved cooking water in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Remove the salmon and spring onions from the pan and place the pan over medium heat. Add the pasta to the pan and toss it in the salmon oil. Add the egg mixture and stir for 1 minute, or until the pasta is just coated.
Step 4
Remove the pan from the heat and divide the pasta between bowls, topping with salmon and a sprinkle of furikake.

Note

Available at supermarkets and Asian grocers, furikake is a Japanese seasoning mixture traditionally sprinkled over rice. It combines ingredients such as seaweed, sesame seeds and dried fish.