Strawberry and Cream Dorayaki is a delicious twist on traditional Japanese Dorayaki, where sweet Anko (red bean paste) is sandwiched between two fluffy pancakes. In this version, we add lightly sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries to the filling, creating a dessert that’s both rich and refreshing. It’s the perfect spring treat, with a lovely…
Pork and Napa Cabbage Mille-Feuille Hot Pot is a comforting Japanese hot pot made by layering Napa cabbage and thinly sliced pork belly to resemble the delicate layers of the French pastry, mille-feuille. In Japan, it’s lovingly known as Mille-Feuille Nabe. With its beautiful, neatly stacked layers, this dish is as eye-catching as it is delicious. Simple…
Simmered Beef and Potatoes is a comforting Japanese-style dish made with thinly sliced beef and tender baby potatoes gently cooked in a richly seasoned soy sauce and sugar broth. The flavor is sweet and savory—similar to teriyaki sauce—with a beautiful glossy finish that makes it especially appetizing. It’s the kind of dish that practically demands…
Kanitama Donburi (カニ玉丼, 天津飯, Tenshindon or Tenshinhan) is a comforting rice bowl topped with a fluffy crab omelet and drizzled with a savory, glossy sauce. It’s a staple on the menu at Chinese restaurants in Japan, though it’s more “Japanese-style Chinese” than authentically Chinese. The soft, airy egg sits over warm, sticky rice and is coated…
Tofu Meat Sauce Gratin is a simple baked dish made by layering sliced tofu with rich tomato meat sauce, topping it with cheese, and baking until bubbly. It’s not traditional Japanese food at all—but it is very Japanese in spirit. This is the kind of everyday, Western-style dish people in Japan throw together in a pinch,…
Oden (おでん) is a classic Japanese winter dish of vegetables, fish cakes, and other hearty ingredients gently simmered in a savory dashi-based broth. You’ll often find oden served as a light appetizer alongside sake or beer at Izakaya pubs, but it’s just as beloved as a warm, comforting home-cooked meal. Slowly simmered and deeply flavorful,…
Yaki Onigiri Chazuke (焼きおにぎり茶漬け), starts with Onigiri rice balls that are lightly grilled and brushed with soy sauce until fragrant and crisp on the outside, then served in a bowl and gently immersed in savory dashi broth. It’s neither a typical onigiri nor a classic Ochazuke—where rice is topped and finished with tea or broth—but…
Kabocha Korokke is deep fried mashed kabocha squash mixed with ground meat and onion. It is a variation of Korokke (Japanese croquette), which is usually made with mashed potatoes. This beloved Japanese dish is great to be served as an appetizer or main dish, and it’s perfect to pack in a bento box.
Hojicha Latte (ほうじ茶ラテ) is a comforting hot drink made with deeply roasted, aromatic Hojicha and rich, frothy milk. Once a specialty found mainly in Japan, it has recently become a café staple, now enjoyed at local coffee shops and tea lounges around the world—and it’s quickly becoming a trendy favorite in the U.S. Whether lightly sweetened…
Udon Noodles with Grilled Mochi or Chikara Udon (力うどん) in Japanese is a traditional noodle dish made by adding grilled rice cakes to a bowl of udon. It is hearty and filling, with the chewy texture and gentle sweetness of the mochi blending beautifully with the savory broth and thick noodles, creating a deeply satisfying…