Tsukemen is cold ramen noodles that you dip in a sauce. Tsukemen is said to have been first served in Japan in the mid 1950’s, and its popularity spread quickly. Contents: Tsukemen – History of the Dipping Ramen Ramen vs Tsukemen Eating Tsukemen Right (Aside from dipping) Best Tsukemen Restaurants How to Cook Tsukemen Easy Tsukemen Kits Tsukemen – History of the Dipping Ramen Although not entirely well-documented, tsukemen must have come from the Japanese tradition of eating soba noodles. Soba (buckwheat noodles) can be eaten hot or cold, but when cold, it is served on a zaru (bamboo sheet) with a dipping sauce. Similarly, tsukemen is cold ramen noodles that you dip in a sauce. The sauce, however, unlike […]
Wagashi is the generic term for Japanese-style confections, which include not just sweets, but also savory snack foods like the soy-sauce-flavored arare or the recent hit, wasabi peas. However, when a Japanese person talks about wagashi it usually means doughy, sweet-flavored namagashi (moist confections) or han-namagashi (semi-moist confections). Take manju (sweet buns) for example: slow-cooked, sweet azuki bean paste is wrapped inside a soft bun that has designs crafted onto it. Wagashi has its own distinctive Japanese style and is irresistibly fascinating. Contents: Wagashi – Traditional Japanese Confectionery 5 Most General Wagashi You Can Find at Japanese Market Dango -Little rice balls on skewers Manju-The skin on the outside and the filling of azuki (red beans) Yokan -Azuki (red beans) […]
Japanese sake is a unique alcoholic beverage, and it is deeply rooted in the culture and climate of Japan. Contents Discovering Sake Sake Brewing Hot Sake & Cold Sake Seimai (Rice Polishing) Paring Sake and Food How to use Japanese Sake for cooking? Discovering Sake Its tradition and the future Japanese sake can be argued that it’s an expression of the Japanese people and their history. On the other hand, more and more people in other parts of the world are discovering sake, and its popularity is growing ever more rapidly. What makes sake so unique is that it is both a very Japanese product at its core while becoming a worldwide phenomenon? It is surely not only the flavor […]
In Japan, amazake (hot sweet sake) is sometimes served during the New Year’s visit to a shrine or the Girls’ Festival in March. Contents: Sweet Hot Drink, Amazake How to cook Amazake? Recommended Amazake Products Sweet Hot Drink, Amazake Many of Japanese remember drinking a cup of hot amazake on a cold day around a bonfire, and feeling energy welling up inside us. Surprisingly, however, amazake is a seasonal word for summer. During the Edo era there were merchants who hawked amazake as a nutritional supplement during summer to people who were prone to exhaustion or lost their appetite due to the intense heat. Amazake contains 20% or more of glucose and is a rich source of the vitamins so […]
Matcha is a powdered green tea. Since olden times, it has most commonly been prepared and served in the form of tea ceremonies. Contents: What is Matcha (Green Powdered Tea)? The History of Tea Cultivation of Tea Matcha tea benefits Recipes with matcha green tea powder Matcha Soy Milk Dessert Recipe Smooth Matcha Pudding Recipe Matcha Ice-cream Recipe Easy-to-make Matcha Kinak Shake Recipe What is Matcha (Green Powdered Tea)? Like the saying, “nichijousahanji,” which means everyday occurrence includes the kanji for tea “cha” and rice “han”, tea has been a most vital and irreplaceable part of our daily lives since ancient times. Tea is known as an aromatic beverage, generally prepared and enjoyed through the combination of tea leaves with […]
Tea is known as an aromatic beverage, generally prepared and enjoyed through the combination of tea leaves with hot water. Contents: What is Green Tea? Green Tea Process How to brew delicious tea? Best Japanese Green Tea Brands Desserts Packed with Catechin What is Green Tea? General questions about tea 1. How much caffeine is in tea? It depends on how the tea has been brewed, but generally 8 fl oz. of green tea contains about 30 to 50 mg of caffeine. The longer the tea leaves have been fermented, the greater their caffeine content will be. Therefore, oolong tea and black tea contain more caffeine than green tea. 2. When should I drink tea to get the most benefits? […]
Mizuna belongs to the Brassica family and is a type of mustard like komatsuna, takana, and daikon. Contents What is Mizuna? Mizuna in the U.S. Nutritional Value Texture and Taste Cultivation of Mizuna Organic Farming What is Mizuna? Mizuna has been a popular vegetable in Japan since ancient times. Many people enjoy the pungent kick of mizuna. With its powerful antioxidants, mizuna has long played an important role in the health of the Japanese people. It is said that mizuna originated in Japan, where cultivation began in the Heian period (794 – 1185). Today, mizuna is a designated kyo-yasai (a vegetable certified to be from Kyoto). The popular mustard leaves that grow abundantly in Kyoto are a fixture in kyo-ryori […]
Daikon (Japanese radish) is a typical winter vegetable. Even though it’s available throughout the year, winter is when daikon is at its tastiest. Besides being tasty, daikon has many therapeutic properties. So, organically grown daikon would be the better choice. Contents: What is Daikon Radish? Daikon Radish is an Outstanding Digestive Aid and Improves Blood Circulation. To Get the most out of Daikon Radish, Apply the most Suitable Cooking Method to Each Part. Don’t Waste the Skin! Leaves are Also Very Nutritious! How to Cook Daikon Radish? (Japanese Daikon Recipes) What is Daikon Radish? Organic Daikon – Let’s enjoy every part of it! The most widely known Japanese daikon radish is the Aokubi daikon. It has a less peppery flavor […]
Shiitake mushroom is a specific mushroom that is grown on a shii-tree (Castanopsis cuspidata, or Japanese Chinquapin). Contents What are Shiitake Mushrooms? Shiitake Mushrooms Nutrition Health Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms Choosing and Preparing the Right Shiitake Mushrooms What are Shiitake Mushrooms? Mushrooms have been widely consumed all over the world as a delicacy and also for health benefits. Aside from the inedible toxic mushrooms, mushrooms have been a big source of food in over 60 countries around the world. Most mushrooms grow on dead trees, absorbing as much UV light as possible. Because of that, mushrooms are known to have a lot of vitamin D, a key vitamin for human growth. Of the many edible mushrooms that you may have […]
Kombu is a kind of kelp, and it has been a distinctive part of the Japanese diet ever since the Jomon period (12,000 B.C. – 300 B.C.). Contents: Kombu – The Secret to Japanese Cuisine The key to picking-out kombu Making the Ultimate Dashi from Kombu Tips on how to extract dashi from kombu Kombu Preservation Methods Various ways to utilize Kombu after the Dashi has been extracted How to use Kombu for cooking? Kombu – The Secret to Japanese Cuisine Dashi is a category of soup and cooking stocks considered to be fundamental and essential to Japanese cuisine. It is said that without dashi, Japanese dishes lack the authentic flavor. The underlying secret to creating the traditional flavors of […]
A variety of fermented foods such as sake, soy sauce, and miso have been supporting the diets of Japanese people since ancient times. An essential ingredient in these fermented foods is the edible fungus called koji (Aspergillus oryzae). Contents What is Koji? What is Shio-Koji? How to use Koji for cooking? What is Koji? Shio-koji, made with salt, and shoyu-koji, made with soy sauce, are both handmade by Nijiya. Shio-koji is made with kome-koji (rice malt) that breeds from koji on steamed rice. We do not use any unnecessary ingredients. The result is a safe and secure all-purpose seasoning. Koji is good for beauty and health and contains the nine essential amino acids. Women may especially favor these benefits: 1: […]
Contents: Recommending vinegar consumption Vinegar TRIVIA (Is vinegar good for you?) How to use Japanese Vinegar? Recommending vinegar consumption During the summer months, it seems that many people complain of fatigue, using up more stamina than usual, and feeling out of sorts with no cause. This is said to be due to our bodies’ becoming acidic because of changes in modern eating habits. It is known that the body’s natural healing power is strongest when the body maintains a slightly alkaline state. In other words, those whose physical constitution is slightly alkaline are less vulnerable to fatigue, disease and/or injury because of an enhanced natural healing power. Conversely, those whose bodies are acidic have their natural healing power compromised, becoming […]
Soy sauce, made from soy beans, is a liquid seasoning developed in Japan. Contents: What is Shoyu? History of Shoyu How To Choose The Right Soy Sauce How To Enhance The Flavor Of Food Using Soy Sauce What is Shoyu?
Every country in the world has a unique food that has traditionally been eaten by its people. Such foods differ according to the climate, geographical influences, and history. Apparently, each food has been faithfully passed on from generation to generation while undergoing gradual changes. These traditional dishes live on to this day and have begun to make the leap from Japan out into the world. Now, why is it that Japanese food is considered good for health and has drawn so much attention from all over the globe? The following is an explanation of Japanese seasonings, the basis of Japanese cuisine, along with an in-depth study of authentic Japanese food. Contents: “Umami” (Savoriness) Is the Basis of Japanese Food Basic […]
Best Bento Box and Useful Tools Are you ready to start your bento adventure? There are so many bento boxes and accessories to explore. Whether you want lunch for yourself, your spouse, or your little ones, having a bento will make lunch fun for everyone. Japanese bento boxes may be smaller compared to the western lunch boxes but remember, Japanese bento is about packing a variety of healthy foods into a single meal. With bento accessories and techniques you will be able to create fun and nutritional on-the-go meals! On top of that, bentos are eco-friendly since you can reuse the bento box! So which type a bento box will fit your life style? Here are some useful lists of […]
Bento is a Japanese term for a packed lunch taken to school, work, travel, or as a meal on the go. Contents: What is Bento? 10 Most Popular Bento Dishes Bento Recipes Karaage Recipes Tebasaki Karaage (deep fried chicken wing) Recipe Dashimaki Tamago Recipe Mentai Dashimaki Tamago Recipe Chikuwa Bird Recipe Where to get Bento Lunch? How to Pack and Decorate Bento Types of Bento What is Bento? The first bento that a Japanese person will experience is the home-made bento prepared by their mother for school. For a Japanese mother preparing a healthy, balanced and portioned bento is an expression of her love for her children, making bento more than just lunch, but a family connection. Japanese cuisine is […]
Since ancient times, Japan has been known as “The Land of Abundant Rice”. Contents Autumn, the Season for Shinmai (newly harvested rice) What is Organic Rice? Nijiya Organic Rice Organic Brown Rice How to Prepare Organic Brown Rice? Leading an Organic Lifestyle The 3 Key Steps to Cooking Delicious Rice Useful Tips- Organic brown rice made quick and simple How to Cook a Hearty 5-Grain Rice Autumn, the Season for Shinmai (newly harvested rice) As the autumn season approaches and rice begins to form their heads, the people of Japan celebrate to express their joy and gratitude for the year’s successful harvest. Field crops such as rice, in other words agriculture, lies at the foundation of Japanese society; therefore, a […]
Teppanyaki literally means “grilling on the griddle,” teppan meaning “iron griddle” and yaki meaning “to grill.” Contents: Best Teppanyaki Restaurant “Benihana” Benihana’s Teppanyaki Menu Benihana Locations What is Teppanyaki? Best Teppanyaki Restaurant “Benihana” With over 70 international restaurant locations, Benihana, indeed, is the most well known and arguably the best teppanyaki restaurant in the world. Benihana’s unique entertainment-dining style established itself as a pop culture icon, such that even a person who hasn’t been to Benihana knows what it’s all about. At Benihana, a variety of meat and seafood are cooked and grilled right before the diners’ eyes by chefs who multitask between cooking and entertaining. The chef’s performance includes juggling food with spatulas and building steaming volcanoes out of […]
Hot pots warm you up from the inside making you happy in the process. Read on to learn about delicious various hot-pot recipes you can eat every day. Contents Electric Pot Clay Pot Preparing Stock Shiitake Mushrooms Cooking Congee at the End “Hot Pot Manager” How to cook Nabe? Duck Pot Recipe Crab Pot Recipe Miso Hot Pot Recipe Electric Pot An electric pot lets you cook various dishes easily right at the dinner table. Temperature control is very easy, and you can cook almost anything. An electric pot is ideal for certain hot-pot dishes that can’t be cooked in a clay pot, such as sukiyaki. Particularly, the electric pot used in the recipes featured here can be detached from […]
In Japanese, teri means “shining” and yaki means “to grill” or “to broil,” and teriyaki actually refers to the cooking technique of brushing a seasoning on the items you are grilling. Contents: What is Teriyaki Sauce? How to cook Teriyaki? (Teriyaki Chicken Recipe) Teriyaki Sauce Recipe Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Teriyaki Salmon Recipe Authentic Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe Best Teriyaki Sauce Brands What is Teriyaki Sauce? Some of you might have a bottle of teriyaki sauce in the fridge or have seen teriyaki among the many choices in the sauce section of your local super market. But what exactly is teriyaki sauce, and is it just for Asian barbeque? In Japanese, teri means “shining” and yaki means “to grill” or “to […]
Contents Superb Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlets) Be a master of tonkatsu history! Be a master of pork breeds! Be a master of tonkatsu sauce How to cook Tonkatsu? Superb Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlets) There are various Japanese dishes that call for pork, but tonkatsu is definitely the most popular. Tonkatsu is alao very popular in California, where it’s widely known by the name “pork cutlet.” The most important factor in making delicious tonkatsu is the taste of the pork itself. The tonkatsu made with flavorful kurobuta (black hog) meat is utterly exquisite. Various cuts of pork are used to make tonkatsu, and there are various cooking methods ranging from the classic dish made with pork fillet or loin to umejiso* […]
Tempura is a traditional Japanese fried dish, commonly consisting of seafood and vegetables that are lightly battered and deep fried and served with salt or dipping sauce. Contents: What is Tempura? How to make a Tempura Batter? (Tempura Batter Recipe) Let crisp flowers bloom with the batter, Ebi (Shrimp) Tempura The Easy Way To Check The Oil Temperature Tempura Recipe Easy Tempura Recipe with Tempura Flour Kakiage Tempura Recipes What is Tempura? While many first encounter tempura as an ingredient for sushi rolls, or as a side dish in a Japanese bento lunch, tempura is actually a highly specialized cuisine. In Japan, tempura restaurants often only serve tempura, and diners can enjoy omakase style (chef’s choice), just as they do […]
Contents: What are Somen Noodles? Types of Somen Noodles Pre-made Dipping Sauce How to Enjoy Somen Noodles? Yaki (Pan-Fried) Somen Recipe Somen Salad Recipe Hot Somen Noodles Recipe Eggplant Somen Noodles Recipe What are Somen Noodles? Who wouldn’t want a bowl of somen (Japanese white vermicelli noodles) on a hot summer day? Boil a generous amount of somen noodles and put them on a glass plate. Then place several pieces of ice on top. Prepare your favorite dipping sauce and condiments such as chopped ginger and green onion, and your meal is ready. Cool somen whets your appetite even in the heat of the summer, so be sure to prepare a good amount. Somen noodles are slender, so don’t cook […]
Contents: What are Soba Noodles? Types of Soba Nutritional Value Different Soba Styles How to eat Soba? How to cook Soba? What are Soba Noodles? Originally, soba was eaten in the form of sobagaki (a dumpling made of soba flour kneaded with boiling water). Until then, the majority of people had enjoyed eating udon noodles, and soba had been viewed as secondary when compared to udon. However, as soba restaurants emerged and spread across the city of Edo (now known as Tokyo), the situation was reversed and soba became more dominant. Back then soba was sold under the name Ni-hachi (two eight) soba. There are two theories about the origin of this name: one is that soba was made of […]
Udon noodles are white, thick and long flour noodles often served in a dashi-based soup. The texture is supple and chewy; eating udon noodles is like eating fat dumplings in noodle form, and there’s a good reason for that. Contents: What are Udon Noodles? The most famous Udon is Sanuki Udon How to cook Udon? Let’s make delicious Udon Broth (Soup) ! Kitsune Udon Noodles Recipe Niku (Meat) Udon Noodles Recipe Hiyashi (Cold) Zaru Udon Nooldes Recipe Yaki Udon Nooldes Kimchi Style Recipe Shrimp Mentaiko Udon Noodles Recipe Avocado Bacon Udon Noodles Recipe Frozen Udon Nooldes What are Udon Noodles? There are so many kinds of noodles out there, especially within the Asian food universe. What are your favorite noodles? […]
Konnyaku, with its unique texture -elastic and chewy but slightly firm- is actually a very modest cooking ingredient that never brings itself to the forefront. However, it contains a surprising amount of power inside. Let’s see just what this “konnyaku power” is. Contents: Konnyaku is a jelly-like food made from konnyaku potatoes The advanced detoxifying effect of konnyaku mannan Eat Konnyaku slowly to feel fuller How to spot good konnyaku Different types of konnyaku How to cook konnyaku? Konnyaku is a jelly-like food made from konnyaku potatoes Konnyaku is a processed food made from an araceous plant called the konnyaku (konjac) potato. It is said to be native to Indochina, where a variety of konnyaku potatoes grows wild to this […]
Natto, one of the foods based on fermented soybeans, is made with Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium so potent that it survived the ice age. Contents The Story of Natto Characteristics of Natto Effects of Natto The Story of Natto Natto is a natural food that was reportedly eaten by the ancient Japanese as early as the Yayoi period (300 B.C. – 300 A.D.). In the Nara period (710 – 794), methods to produce fish sauce, grain-based sauce, fermented bean curd, and other food items—which later developed into tofu and natto-were brought into Japan, along with Buddhism, from China. The wisdom and ingenuity of our ancestors led to an evolution of fermentation methods, eventually producing a series of fermented soybean delicacies […]
Soybean and edamame (green soybeans) are the same vegetable, but the two names refer to their respective harvest periods. Contents: What is Edamame beans? Cultivation Nutritional Value of Edamame (Health Benefits) Edamame – A Calorie-Efficient, Super Healthy Food How to eat Edamame? How to cook Edamame? Spicy Edamame Recipe Edamame Rice Recipe What is Edamame beans? Some records show that people ate boiled soft green soybeans as early as the Heian era (794 – 1185). Today, with the worldwide popularity of Japanese cuisine, the term “edamame” has become an international word, being a standard part of English and Spanish vocabulary. The soybean has played an important role in the Japanese diet for many years. Of the five grains eaten in […]
Contents The nutritional and health benefits of soy milk How to cook soy milk? The nutritional and health benefits of soy milk Recently, soy milk has drawn increasing attention from health-conscious people. Because it is plant-derived, it’s low in fat and has zero cholesterol. For people who want the health benefits of soybeans but don’t actually want to eat them, soy milk is a great alternative because it lets you take in all the abundant nutrients of soybeans efficiently. Its most notable nutrient is soy isoflavone, which plays an important role in maintaining hormonal balance and preventing osteoporosis. Soy milk is also rich in B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, and minerals. One glass a day can support the health of people […]
Tofu is a food made of soy milk and adding nigari (magnesium chloride) , and its’ pressed into solid white blocks. Contents: The tale of tofu – Making delicious tofu Tofu Q&A Process of Tofu Making How to make fresh tofu? Let’s make homemade tofu! The tale of tofu – Making delicious tofu Tofu can be considered the most vital ingredient that characterizes Japanese dining. Japanese people have been eating tofu since the Nara period (710-794 CE), and until this day the fundamental method of making tofu- extracting soy milk from soy and adding nigari (magnesium chloride) to harden-is still the same. For the Japanese community living in America, it was not easy to find delicious tofu until just a […]
