Stir-fried Sunagimo & Garlic Scapes: Japanese Pub Style Recipe

Stir-fried Sunagimo & Garlic Scapes（砂肝とにんにくの芽の炒め物）

💪【Iron & Zinc】 The Ultimate Stamina Recipe for Anemia Prevention by a Registered Dietitian!

Sunagimo (chicken gizzard) and garlic scapes, stir-fried to perfection and seasoned with “Weipa” (a popular Japanese-Chinese all-purpose seasoning).

I fell in love with this dish at a Japanese Izakaya (pub) and have been making it at home ever since. It’s simple, savory, and incredibly healthy!

🥢Why You Should Eat Sunagimo

You might not be familiar with Sunagimo, but it is one of the two stomachs of a chicken. Since it is mostly muscle, it is high in protein and low in calories—nearly zero fat! It is just as good as, or even better than, chicken breast for those on a diet.

Moreover, it is rich in iron and zinc, making it an ideal ingredient for health-conscious women.

For more details on Sunagimo and its preparation, check out my other post: 👉 Sunagimo Peperoncino Recipe

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📌Lowering the Barrier: Easy Prep Tips

If you think preparing gizzards is difficult, don’t worry!

• Pro Tip for Beginners: You can often find pre-sliced gizzards at the supermarket.
• The “Ginkawa” (Silver Skin): Usually, the tough silver skin is removed, but if you enjoy a crunchy, chewy texture, you can leave it on!
• Shorten the Time: When I want to save as much time as possible, I just snip them into bite-sized pieces with kitchen shears! (lol)
• Odour Control: A quick rinse or a splash of sake helps remove any gamey scent.

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Why the Garlic Scape and Chicken Gizzard Combo is a Nutrient Goldmine

As a nutritionist, I highly recommend this pairing for two reasons:

1. Iron × Vitamin C: The Vitamin C in garlic scapes significantly boosts the absorption of the iron found in Sunagimo.
2. The Secret of Allicin: Garlic scapes contain Alliin, which is odorless. When you cut them, Alliin transforms into Allicin through an enzymatic reaction. Allicin has strong antibacterial properties and helps your body absorb Vitamin B1, which is essential for recovering from fatigue.

Nutritionist’s Tip: Wait about 10 minutes after cutting the garlic scapes before cooking. This allows the enzymes to maximize the production of Allicin. Since Allicin is heat-sensitive, stir-fry quickly over high heat to preserve its benefits!

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What are Garlic Scapes?

Garlic scapes are the green stalks that grow from the garlic bulb. They have a crunchy texture and a milder aroma than garlic cloves.

Classified as a “green-yellow vegetable,” they are nutritional powerhouses containing:

• Fiber, Vitamin C, and Calcium (More Vitamin C and Calcium than the garlic bulb itself!)
• Beta-carotene: Not found in garlic bulbs, this nutrient converts to Vitamin A in the body, supporting eye health, skin, and immune function.

To use them, simply trim the tough woody ends, wash well, and they are ready for your stir-fry!

Ninniku no me= Garlic Scapes 　　ninniku = garlic 　　me = sprouts

🌱Ingredients (3 Servings) : Stir-fried Sunagimo & Garlic Scapes

• Sunagimo (Gizzards): 160g (after preparation)
• Garlic Scapes: 2 packs (approx. 140g)
• Garlic: 10g
• Sesame Oil: 3g
• Dried Red Chili Peppers: 1g
• Weipa: 6g (Substitute: Chicken bouillon + a drop of oyster sauce)
• Sake: 20g
• Soy Sauce: 6g

🧂What is “Weipa”?

• You might see two similar products in Asian grocery stores: Weipa (味覇) and Somi Shantan (創味シャンタン).
  The Secret: They are essentially the same high-quality chicken and pork-based seasoning!
  The Difference: Somi Shantan was originally developed for professional chefs, while Weipa was branded for home cooks. Both provide a rich, authentic “Umami” flavor to any Chinese-style dish.
  • Somi Shantung: Sold by a company called Somi Shokuhinn for commercial use
  • Weipa: Sold by a company called KOUKI-SHOKO for general customers.

📋Nutrition Facts : Stir-fried Sunagimo & Garlic Scapes

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NUTRITION FACTS (Per Serving)

• Calories: 97 kcal
• Protein: 11.2 g
• Salt Equivalent: 1.1 g (High in protein and perfectly balanced in salt!)

NUTRITION FACTS (Per Serving)

• Calories: 292 kcal
• Protein: 33.7 g
• Total Fat: 8.3 g
• Total Carbohydrates: 21.1 g
• Salt Equivalents: 3.2 g

(High in protein and perfectly balanced in salt!)

📋How to make Stir-fried Sunagimo & Garlic Scapes

1. Prepare the Gizzards (The most important step!) Gizzards are thick and elastic, so proper prep ensures they are tender and easy to eat.
   • Cut the gizzards in half.
   • Scrape off the tough white parts (silver skin) with a knife.
   • Slice them thinly to ensure they cook through quickly.
2. Prepare the Vegetables
   • Trim about 3mm off both ends of the garlic scapes, then cut them into 4cm pieces.
   • Peel the garlic and cut into bite-sized slices.
3. Stir-fry
   • Aromatize: Heat sesame oil in a frying pan and fry the garlic until fragrant.
   • Sear the Gizzards: Add the gizzards. Press down occasionally with a spatula to get a nice brown sear. Add chili peppers and continue to stir-fry.
   • Add Scapes: Once the gizzards are cooked through, add the garlic scapes and stir-fry until they soften slightly.
   • Season: Add the Weipa. Pour the sake directly over the Weipa to help it dissolve, then mix well.
   • Finish: Add the soy sauce. Shake the pan to distribute the seasoning evenly.

📖Related Link: Read the Japanese version of this article here! []　　　

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