Cha-han Cha-han is one of the most classic of the “foreign” foods that are everywhere in Japan. And while it may have originally come from China, it’s been so tweaked to Japanese taste, it’s now a local favorite. Fried rice is on the menu at every ramen restaurant (along with the iconic noodle soup andContinueContinue reading “Japanese Fried Rice”
Tag Archives: Japanese Home Cooking
Mochi-Mochi Cinnamon Buns
You may wonder why I’m posting a baking recipe when Japanese apartments don’t even have ovens! But one thing I love eating in Japan is the “mochi-mochi” breads that substitute tapioca flour for some of the regular flour, which makes them satisfyingly chewy, just like the beloved rice cakes eaten at festivals. This recipe isContinueContinue reading “Mochi-Mochi Cinnamon Buns”
J-Style No-Mayo Tuna Salad
Canned tuna has been having a moment lately, and this tasty, tangy take on tuna salad is about to become your new summer go-to! One bite after my Japanese cousin Yoko brought this bowl to the table I was begging for the recipe, and was extra-delighted to discover it uses only six ingredients (including theContinueContinue reading “J-Style No-Mayo Tuna Salad”
Tasty Veggie Dipping Sauce
This nutty, creamy dipping sauce magically makes all vegetables delicious, but it’s especially great on bitter greens! The gorgeous veggie in the photo is one that just appeared in Japanese supermarkets. It’s called petit vert—a cross between kale and brussels sprouts—and it opens up like a tiny perfect cabbage when lightly boiled. But all kindContinueContinue reading “Tasty Veggie Dipping Sauce”
Super-Easy Salmon Ginger Rice
Need a dinner that cooks itself into the coziest, most satisfying, winter meal ever? Salmon-Ginger Rice! Meshi are traditional Japanese one-pot dishes that magically meld meat and vegetables with rice into a savory symphony. And if you own a rice cooker,* it all happens at the touch of a button. *If you don’t own aContinueContinue reading “Super-Easy Salmon Ginger Rice”
Sukiyaki: Japanese Beef Hotpot
There’s a reason sukiyaki has been one of the best-loved Japanese dishes in the world for decades—it’s truly Japanese, but also satisfying and delicious by Western standards. Watch faces light up when even people who “don’t like Japanese food” see this tasty stick-to-your ribs pleasure appear on the table. This can be a lean andContinueContinue reading “Sukiyaki: Japanese Beef Hotpot”
Dumpling Hotpot
Gyōza Nabe The key to this quick and satisfying hotpot dinner is your favorite fresh or frozen dumplings. Throw together a delicious savory broth from only four ingredients, chop a few veggies of choice, and voila! Dinner that draws people in like an inviting campfireand feels special even though it only took twenty minutes fromContinueContinue reading “Dumpling Hotpot”
Japanese Chilled Summer Noodles
Sōmen for the win! Cold sōmen noodles are as much a tradition in Japan’s summertime as potato salad and corn on the cob are in the US. These deliciously thin noodles are served cold, with a satisfyingly salty dipping sauce and an assortment of all your favorite Japanese tastes! They’re also the most entertaining noodlesContinueContinue reading “Japanese Chilled Summer Noodles”
J-Style Poke Bowl
A cool & satisfying summer meal you can make in minutes! When Japanese laborers arrived in Hawaii to work the cane fields a century ago, they brought chirashi sushi with them—a simple meal of rice topped with fresh-caught fish that was the ideal no-cook meal for a tropical climate. Over time, it evolved into theContinueContinue reading “J-Style Poke Bowl”
She’s So Cosmo Cocktail/Mocktail
Red Shiso Cosmopolitan Cocktail, with or without a kick! Whether you’re flinging caution to the wind or keeping dry, give your favorite classic cocktail a distinctly Japanese kick with the taste of tart and tangy red shiso instead of cranberry! She’s So Cosmo Cocktail Makes 1 drink 1 shot vodka 1 shot Grand Marnier 1ContinueContinue reading “She’s So Cosmo Cocktail/Mocktail”
Bite-Sized Mont Blancs
These may not strike you as a typical Japanese dessert, but if you’ve been to Japan, you know that not a single bakery fails to have their own version of this cold weather classic. The combination of a buttery, crunchy base with fluffy whipped cream and sweet—but not too sweet—chestnut puree makes this an enduringContinueContinue reading “Bite-Sized Mont Blancs”
Sweet & Savory Miso Beef in Lettuce Wraps
I first tasted this fabulous and unusual way of cooking beef at one of my favorite traditional inns, and it continues to be one of the most delicious Japanese main dishes I’ve ever tasted. It leaves you satisfied without feeling stuffed—because of the miso, a little goes a long way, and it’s a great wayContinueContinue reading “Sweet & Savory Miso Beef in Lettuce Wraps”
Deviled Eggs with a Japanese Twist
No summertime picnic is complete without a tray of deviled eggs, and this duo of Japanese-flavored variations will have everyone begging for your recipe! The Miso Deviled Eggs pack an extra wallop of sweet and savory, while the Spicy Deviled Eggs get their kick from the citrusy pepper relish known as yuzu koshō. • MisoContinueContinue reading “Deviled Eggs with a Japanese Twist”
Japanese Chicken Sliders with a Tasty Trio of Toppings
These juicy chicken sliders with a hint of ginger can be topped with any combination of the toppings, depending on whether you’re in the mood for spicy, savory, creamy or tangy. There’s something for everyone, and the small size means you don’t have to decide which is your favorite until you’ve tried them all! •ContinueContinue reading “Japanese Chicken Sliders with a Tasty Trio of Toppings”
Spring Vegetable Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing
Dress up a bouquet of colorful spring vegetables in this decadently creamy dressing that’s made without cream! The surprise ingredient is silken tofu, so not only will your loved ones be begging for second helpings of vegetables, they’ll get all the enjoyment of cream without the dairy. • Spring Vegetable Salad with Creamy Sesame DressingContinueContinue reading “Spring Vegetable Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing”
Miso-Butter Potatoes
Move over, french fries! You may think that potatoes don’t sound like an authentic Japanese dish, but the stand selling hot miso-butter potatoes at all the winter festivals has a line a mile long, because they are awesome. Miso makes everything you put it in taste deeper and richer (while also secretly being good for you!)ContinueContinue reading “Miso-Butter Potatoes”
Savory Japanese Beef & Vegetables/Curry Rice
This month’s recipe delivers a leftovers transformation that might be even better than the first night! Serve the classic Japanese mom comfort food called niku-jaga (tender beef, potatoes and vegetables simmered in a savory sauce), then add instant curry to the leftovers the next night for Niku-jaga Curry Rice. Savory Beef & Vegetable Simmer Makes 4 servingsContinueContinue reading “Savory Japanese Beef & Vegetables/Curry Rice”
Tasty Ginger Pork
Serve the classic Japanese mom comfort food called niku-jaga (tender beef, potatoes and vegetables simmered in a savory sauce), then add instant curry to the leftovers the next night for Niku-jaga Curry Rice. This dish is fast, easy, and will make your kitchen smell delicious! Tasty Ginger Pork Serves 4Ingredients:12 oz. (340 g) pork loin or tenderloin2ContinueContinue reading “Tasty Ginger Pork”
Nutty Noodles
This is what the dish looks like when made with whole wheat spaghetti instead of soba noodles These savory noodles are deeply satisfying, even though they are made from only five ingredients. Walnuts give them a deep autumnal flavor that feels just right for the season, and although they’re a very traditional Japanese dish, everybodyContinueContinue reading “Nutty Noodles”
Easy Japanese lunchbox supper
Start with a bed of rice, then arrange bits and pieces of leftovers, pantry staples, and/or quick-cooked fresh foods tossed in dressings that you already have in your fridge. The pleasure of this dish is having so many different tastes in one meal It’s summertime, and the last thing you want to do is slaveContinueContinue reading “Easy Japanese lunchbox supper”
Mint-Cilantro Udon & Hamachi with Tomato-Ginger Sauce
Here are two recipes from this month’s book giveaway! Check back in July to see if you won this month’s drawing, but in the meantime please enjoy a delightful summertime supper of Japanese-flavored pesto noodles and seared fresh fish with a piquant tomato-ginger sauce, courtesy of chef and author Eric Gower. The recipes in thisContinueContinue reading “Mint-Cilantro Udon & Hamachi with Tomato-Ginger Sauce”
Sweet Sesame Greens
Horensō Goma-ae This magical Japanese way to serve up spinach reduces an entire day’s worth of virtuous greens to a few delicious bites that will leave your family asking if there’s more. Yes, it’s that good. (And it’s fast! Five ingredients, fifteen minutes.) Ingredients: Serves 4 8 oz. (227g) baby spinach leaves 1/4 cup (35g)ContinueContinue reading “Sweet Sesame Greens”
Spicy Japanese Eggplant
One day in Tokyo, I was at a lunch made by the women in this crazy Japanese women’s club I belong to, where each member had made one dish to contribute (and they all looked like they had been made by professional chefs and styled by photo stylists aieeee!) When I tasted the eggplant dish,ContinueContinue reading “Spicy Japanese Eggplant”
Kinako Shortbread Cookies with Salted Black Sugar Buttercream
The classic Japanese flavor combination of roasted soybean flour and Okinawan black sugar come together in these buttery sandwich cookies that will give new sparkle to your holiday table ‘Tis the season for cozy pleasures, so how about a sweet holiday treat with a delightful Japanese twist? These buttery shortbread cookies have a satisfying nuttyContinueContinue reading “Kinako Shortbread Cookies with Salted Black Sugar Buttercream”
How to host a great sake tasting
Three is the classic number of sakes to compare and contrast, but you can go higher. Read on for some great category suggestions! Sake isn’t just for Japanese food anymore—it’s popping up in top restaurants all over the world as the perfect pairing for all kinds of cuisines. Crisp and clean, it’s delicious with everythingContinueContinue reading “How to host a great sake tasting”
Green Salad with Japanese Pickled Onions & Wafu Onion Dressing
Add cooked chicken or grilled shrimp to turn this tasty salad into a cool summer meal! Nothing tastes better with grilled everything than a crisp green salad bejeweled with tasty pickled onions and a tangy wafu dressing that’ll knock your socks off! Ingredients: Assorted mixed greens, torn into bite-sized pieces (I like a combo ofContinueContinue reading “Green Salad with Japanese Pickled Onions & Wafu Onion Dressing”
Japanese Ginger-Soy Steak Sauce
‘Tis the season to dust off the BBQ and grill up some steaks, and the only thing that will make them taste even more sublime is this yum of a dipping sauce! In Japan, bite-sized slices of steak are grilled at the table, then dipped in this savory sauce that zings with just a hintContinueContinue reading “Japanese Ginger-Soy Steak Sauce”
Japanese Treasure Rice
If you have a rice cooker, this is the easiest made-from-scratch meal ever. All you have to do is measure the dry rice into the cooker, then toss in the raw veggies and cooking broth (plus the raw marinated chicken pieces, if you want to make a meal of it). Turn it on, and theContinueContinue reading “Japanese Treasure Rice”
Japanese Chicken Soup for the Soul
When it’s cold and wet and dark outside, people in Japan long for comfort food just as much as we do, and this chicken soup will warm you right down to your toes. It’s comforting, but a little bit different, all at the same time. Serves: 4-6 12 oz. (340g) marinated chicken pieces (recipe below)ContinueContinue reading “Japanese Chicken Soup for the Soul”
Marinated Pork Medallions with Melted Leeks
Special occasions call for special ingredients—this recipe is super simple if you start with ordinary bottled Japanese soba sauce (the kind used for dipping buckwheat noodles) and a relish called yuzu koshō that can be bought off the shelf.* These are both easily available online, if you don’t have an Asian market near you. HaveContinueContinue reading “Marinated Pork Medallions with Melted Leeks”
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