I have a confession to make. I used to think that food from Japan is not something that I could make in my own home. I also thought it would just be way too difficult. However, that is not the case with these 17 recipes. I actually think they are much easier to make than it is to go out and buy the food. So get ready to put in some work because this meal will greatly outdo the food you would buy.
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1) Tonkatsu
Incredible panko-crusted pork cutlets that are better than take out.
Five simple dinners. One grocery list.
No recipe hunting, no messy shopping notes, no complicated chef projects. Just family dinners that fit real weeks.
Ingredients
Method
- Pound the pork chops to an even thickness and season both sides with salt.
- Dredge each chop in flour, then beaten egg, then press into panko to coat well.
- Heat the oil in a deep skillet to about 340 degrees.
- Fry the cutlets 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden and cooked through.
- Drain on a rack, then slice into strips and serve with tonkatsu sauce.
Notes
2) Chicken Katsu Curry
Thick, cozy Japanese curry sauce with crispy chicken cutlets.
Ingredients
Method
- Saute the onion and carrots in a pot until softened, then add the water and simmer 10 minutes.
- Stir in the curry roux cubes until the sauce thickens, then keep warm.
- Bread the chicken in flour, egg, and panko.
- Heat 1/2 inch neutral oil in a skillet. Fry the cutlets until golden and the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), then drain and slice.
- Serve the sliced katsu over rice and ladle the curry alongside.
Notes
3) Tempura Udon
Silky udon sits in warm broth with a crisp shrimp tempura perched on top.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the tempura batter mix with cold water until just combined and still lumpy.
- Dip the shrimp in batter and fry in hot oil until pale gold and crisp, then drain.
- Simmer the dashi with soy sauce and mirin to make the broth.
- Cook the udon noodles, drain, and divide between two bowls.
- Pour the hot broth over the noodles, top with shrimp tempura and green onion.
Notes
4) Yakisoba Noodles
Sizzling stir-fried noodles with that tangy and sweet sauce.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the sliced pork until browned.
- Add the cabbage and carrot and stir-fry until just tender.
- Loosen the noodles under warm water, then add them to the skillet.
- Pour in the yakisoba sauce and toss everything until evenly coated and hot.
- Top with green onion and serve straight from the pan.
Notes
5) Beef Teriyaki
Sticky-sweet teriyaki sauce glazes over tender beef which you'll want to lick off the plate!
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and ginger together to make the teriyaki sauce.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat and sear the beef slices until browned.
- Pour in the teriyaki sauce and let it bubble and reduce.
- Toss the beef until it's glazed and the sauce clings, about 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.
Notes
6) Salmon Sushi Rolls
Beautiful homemade salmon rolls that actually aren't that difficult to make.
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the sushi rice, then fold in the rice vinegar and sugar and let it cool.
- Lay a nori sheet on a bamboo mat and spread a thin layer of rice over it.
- Arrange salmon, cucumber, and avocado in a line across the rice.
- Roll tightly using the mat, pressing gently to seal.
- Slice each roll into 6 to 8 pieces with a wet, sharp knife.
Notes
7) Tofu Teriyaki
Even those who are doubtful will adore the glaze on crispy tofu.
Ingredients
Method
- Press the tofu to remove excess water, then cube and toss with cornstarch.
- Pan-fry the tofu in oil until golden and crisp on all sides.
- Stir the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar together for the glaze.
- Pour the glaze over the tofu and toss until it thickens and coats every piece.
- Finish with sesame seeds and serve over rice.
Notes
8) Gyoza Dumplings
Dumplings that are pan fried and have a soft topping and a crispy bottom.
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Ingredients
Method
- Mix the pork, cabbage, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil into a filling.
- Place a spoonful in each wrapper, wet the edges, and pleat to seal.
- Heat oil in a skillet and fry the dumplings flat-side down until golden.
- Add a splash of water and cover to steam for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Uncover and cook off the water so the bottoms crisp up again.
Notes
9) Takoyaki
Epic street food magic from Japan in the form of little batter balls filled with octopus!
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, eggs, and dashi into a thin batter.
- Heat and oil a takoyaki pan, then fill each well with batter.
- Drop a piece of octopus and some green onion into each well.
- As the edges set, turn each ball with a skewer to round them out and crisp the outside.
- Drizzle with takoyaki sauce and top with bonito flakes.
Notes
10) Miso Soup
A soothing bowl of miso soup is a simple and quick recipe that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the dashi broth in a pot until steaming but not boiling.
- Ladle a little broth into a bowl and whisk in the miso paste until smooth.
- Stir the miso mixture back into the pot.
- Add the cubed tofu and rehydrated wakame and warm through gently.
- Top with green onion and serve right away.
Notes
11) Spicy Tuna Roll
Spicy tuna rolls are creamy and have the perfect amount of spice to keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the sushi rice and season it with rice vinegar, then let it cool.
- Toss the diced tuna with mayonnaise, sriracha, and sesame oil.
- Spread rice over a nori sheet on a bamboo mat.
- Spoon the spicy tuna across the rice and roll tightly.
- Slice into rounds with a wet knife and serve.
Notes
12) Onigiri
Cute little rice triangles are the best snack to grab on the go.
Ingredients
Method
- Let the cooked rice cool just enough to handle, then sprinkle with salt.
- Wet your hands and scoop a portion of rice into your palm.
- Press a little flaked salmon into the center and mold the rice around it.
- Shape the rice into a firm triangle, pressing the edges.
- Wrap a strip of nori around the base and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Notes
13) Matcha Ice Cream
The golden earthy hue of cool, creamy matcha ice cream is just as beautiful as its taste!
Ingredients
Method
- Sift the matcha powder to remove any clumps.
- Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks in a separate bowl.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the matcha mixture until streak-free.
- Freeze in a covered container for at least 6 hours until firm, then scoop.
Notes
14) Pork Ramen
This pork ramen will make you forget instant ramen exists.
Ingredients
Method
- Simmer the broth with miso paste until well combined and savory.
- Sear the pork belly slices in a hot pan until browned and just cooked.
- Cook the ramen noodles, drain, and divide between two bowls.
- Ladle the hot broth over the noodles.
- Top each bowl with pork, a halved soft egg, green onion, and nori.
Notes
15) Japanese Curry Rice
Curry over rice feels like a warm hug in a bowl!
Ingredients
Method
- Brown the beef cubes in oil in a large pot.
- Add the onion, carrots, and potatoes and stir for a couple of minutes.
- Pour in the water and simmer until the beef and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Stir in the curry roux cubes until the sauce thickens.
- Simmer a few more minutes and serve over hot rice.
Notes
16) Okonomiyaki
Japanese comfort food party style with all the toppings!
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, eggs, and dashi into a batter, then fold in the shredded cabbage.
- Pour the batter into a hot oiled skillet and shape into a thick round.
- Lay pork belly slices over the top and cook until the bottom is golden.
- Flip carefully and cook until the pork crisps and the pancake is cooked through.
- Top with okonomiyaki sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes.
Notes
17) Edamame
The easiest and most addictive snack you'll want to pop open while finishing up dinner.
Ingredients
Method
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot.
- Add the frozen edamame pods and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until tender.
- Drain the pods well in a colander.
- Toss them in a bowl with flaky sea salt while still warm.
- Serve immediately, squeezing the beans straight from the pods.
