It only makes sense to write about miso soup after writing an article about dashi. (After all, that’s one out of the two main ingredients of the soup!) This soup is a staple in the Japanese diet, with an estimated 75% of the Japanese population drinking it at least once a day. It’s a delicious… Continue reading Shiitake Miso Soup
Tag: Japanese
Chashu Pork Belly
You know, there’s a lot more to ramen than the instant packets that so many of us grew up with. This internationally famous noodle dish first caught the hearts of the Japanese public around the turn of the 20th century (although some legends suggest that it was first introduced in the 1600s). While this dish… Continue reading Chashu Pork Belly
Tonkotsu Broth
Tonkotsu literally translates to “pork bone,” and the process for making this bone broth is completely different from any Western soup you’ve ever had. Instead of a gentle, barely-there simmer, tonkotsu is cooked by way of a rolling boil that lasts for hours. This method takes not only the collagen from the bones, but it… Continue reading Tonkotsu Broth
Tofu Nasubi
Tofu Nasubi translates to “tofu eggplant,” and this homey stir-fry dish is a delicious, healthy style of comfort food that’s bursting with flavor! Typically, this dish is made with Japanese eggplant. This variety is thinner and more tender than Western varieties, but both kinds are great at absorbing the flavors they’re cooked with. If you’re… Continue reading Tofu Nasubi
Taco Rice (タコライス)
I know, taco rice might sound like something you’d throw together to eat while cramming for finals week (and honestly, it’s perfect for that!). However, taco rice has a unique history as one of Okinawa’s favorite comfort foods. It’s also a prime example of the fusion nature of modern Okinawan cuisine! When US military bases… Continue reading Taco Rice (タコライス)
Goya Champuru
Champuru translates to “something mixed” in the Okinawan dialect, and the term reflects the whole of Okinawan cuisine perfectly! Champuru is considered to be one of the representative dishes of Okinawan cuisine, and this style of stir-fry is found all over the region. Typically, champuru consists of a firm tofu base, cooked with pork and… Continue reading Goya Champuru
Okonomiyaki
When the name translates to “grilled how you like,” you know this dish is going to be fun! Okonomiyaki is one of Japan’s favorite street foods, in part due to its customizable nature. At its base, it is a savory cabbage pancake that’s topped with anything you could want—from bacon to shrimp to octopus to… Continue reading Okonomiyaki
Cold Sesame Soba Noodles
Sesame seeds may very well be one of the most underrated members of the superfood world. Loaded with protein, fiber, healthy fats, and at least 10 different minerals and vitamins, sesame seeds have proven to help with everything from diabetes to respiratory health to healthy skin! Due to the levels of copper and sesamin in… Continue reading Cold Sesame Soba Noodles
Togarashi Roasted Zucchini
Togarashi (also known as nana-iro togarashi, or shichimi togarashi) is one of the most common spice blends in Japanese cooking, and with good reason! This seven-spice blend dates back to at least the 17th century, and it contains red pepper, Japanese pepper, orange peel, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, ginger, and seaweed. You can just imagine… Continue reading Togarashi Roasted Zucchini
Japanese Curry
Take a guess at which country considers curry a national dish. No, seriously, give it a shot. India? Logical, but no. Pakistan? Also a good guess, but not quite. Would you believe that Japan considers curry its national dish? Yes, really. It beat out sushi, teriyaki, miso, and just about every other dish you would… Continue reading Japanese Curry
Hapanese Cuisine 