Four Japanese Dishes to Recreate At Home

Japanese cuisine, or washoku, is renowned for its intricate preparation methods, fresh and seasonal ingredients, rich flavors, and incredible presentation. As a widely enjoyed cuisine by people worldwide, the wonderful variety of dishes that hail from Japan will make your tastebuds happy! In fact, Japanese cuisine has even been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, and for a good reason: Japanese cuisine is an art form that has been refined over centuries. Even if you can’t take a trip to Japan right now, you can recreate many delicious dishes in your home! So today, we wanted to share with you four Japanese dishes that will give you a tasty glimpse into the beautiful cuisine of that of Japan.

But First, What is Umami?

Before we get into the recipes, there is a Japanese concept you likely have heard of that will set us up for a fun journey through Japanese cuisine. If you’re familiar with Japanese food, you’ve likely already heard of the concept of umami, or the fifth taste after sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. According to Ajinomoto, Umami is a savory flavor often described as meaty or brothy and is found in ingredients such as dashi (a stock made from kelp and bonito flakes), miso (a fermented soybean paste), and soy sauce. The taste was first discovered over 100 years ago in Japan but was recognized and confirmed as a receptor we have on our taste buds in 2002. When it comes to the food we eat, Umami is found universally in all sorts of foods we enjoy daily! Additionally, many different Japanese dishes focus on achieving umami, making them highly enjoyable across different flavor palettes all around the world.

Four Japanese Dishes to Recreate

Sushi

If you’re like many of us, you likely have eaten sushi at least once in your life. One of the most iconic Japanese dishes you can find almost everywhere, these small hand-rolled dishes are made by combining vinegared rice with various toppings such as raw fish, cooked shrimp, or vegetables. There are many different types of sushi, including nigiri (a small piece of fish or other toppings on top of a bed of rice), maki (sushi rolls), and temaki (hand rolls), and sushi is often served with pickled ginger and wasabi, a pungent green paste made from a type of horseradish. Looking to try to make sushi at home? Try this California Roll recipe, this Temaki Sushi, or for a fun option to enjoy with family, try this Sushi Bake recipe.

Ramen

Another popular Japanese dish is ramen, a noodle soup that originated in China but has been adapted and refined in Japan. This classic hot soup focuses heavily on achieving the Umami taste within the broth, making it stand out from other soups you’ll find in other cuisines. Ramen consists of wheat noodles in a rich broth made of various proteins such as pork bones, chicken bones, miso, or chicken and vegetable broth. Ramen typically also includes various toppings that help further flavor the soup and add more substance. These toppings can include (but are not limited to) pork, bacon, crab, fish, mushrooms, seaweed, eggs, spring onion, garlic paste, sesame seeds, flaked dried bonito, and so on. Want to make ramen at home? Try this Quick Homemade Ramen, this Rich and Creamy Tonkatsu Ramen, or this Simple Homemade Chicken Ramen.

Teriyaki Chicken

If you like the combination of sweet and savory, Teriyaki chicken is the perfect dish to recreate! Best of all, it’s straightforward to make and only requires a few ingredients. You'll need chicken thighs or breasts, soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sugar, garlic, and ginger. Marinate the chicken in the sauce, then grill or pan-fry until cooked through. Once you’re ready to eat, serve with steamed rice and vegetables for a well-rounded and delicious meal for the whole family! Are you looking to make this yourself? Check out this Teriyaki Chicken recipe or, for a faster recipe, this 10-minute Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry!

Okonomiyaki

The final dish we have on our list is known as Okonomiyaki, a delicious Japanese pancake you’ll likely see being sold as street food in Japan. Like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki is a simple yet delectable food that is easy to make at home and only requires a few ingredients! These pancakes are made with cabbage, flour, eggs, and other ingredients such as bacon or seafood and are often topped with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce (a sweet and savory sauce), and bonito flakes (dried fish flakes). If you’d like to recreate this dish at home, try this classic Easy Okonomiyaki or Osaka-style Okonomiyaki recipe!

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