Oishii! Traditional Japanese Recipes You Must Try
You’ve likely already tried the staple Japanese food items, like sushi or ramen, but there is so much more to experience. From savory “pancakes” to fermented beans, Japanese cuisine is wide-reaching and famously delicious. Here are recipes for a few traditional Japanese foods, so you can cook them up at home and experience them for yourself.
Karē pan is a bun filled with delicious Japanese curry, which is usually a bit sweeter, thicker, and milder than its Indian counterpart. After the curry is wrapped with homemade dough, it is deep fried in panko to create a crispy, crunchy outer layer and fluffy inside.
Considered a superfood for its litany of health benefits, nattō is a dish made of fermented soybeans that is often eaten for breakfast in Japan. You’ll likely love or hate nattō for its slimy texture and strong taste and smell. Soaking, cooking, and fermenting the beans is overall easier than you would think. Serve it over white sticky rice for a wholesome meal.
Sink your teeth into the ultimate Japanese comfort food - tonkatsu. Pork that is coated and fried with panko bread crumbs makes for a crispy, easy, and deliciously filling food.
This iconic Japanese dish has many variations across the country, but this specific recipe uses shrimp and bacon. It is a savory, light pancake typically made with cabbage, vegetables, meat, and/or seafood. It's crispy on the outside and topped with a delicious sauce, containing plenty of umami flavor.
These are triangular balls of Japonica short-grain (sticky, sushi-style) rice with various fillings, wrapped with nori seaweed. They are a staple in Japan for an easy lunch or snack, akin to peanut butter and jelly in the USA. Plus, they are easy to make and can be vegan.
Yakitori is a classic food item on many Japanese menus, especially common as street food. It is skewered grilled chicken, often paired with vegetables, such as scallions or capsicums. Although it's usually cooked over an open charcoal fire, you can make do with any grill you have available.