12 Japanese Foods You Should Know About Beyond Sushi
Feb 07, 2018
When Americans claim to "love" Japanese food, they're typically talking about two things: sushi and ramen. Don't get us wrong; we crave that good stuff on the reg. But have you ever stopped to take in the rest of the food on your Japanese menu? There's so much more to appreciate, and some things can easily be made at home with a quick trip to your local Asian market. Here are 12 Japanese foods we think people should rave about more often.
Onigirazu: These Japanese rice-balls-turned-sandwiches are rolled with cooked sushi rice and nori sheets, and stuffed to the brim with a variety of fillings, like crispy chicken, pickled carrots, and creamy wasabi mayo. (via Fifth Floor Kitchen)
Katsudon: Tender boneless pork chops are breaded with crispy panko bread crumbs and served over rice with onions and egg to create a mouthwatering dinner that is comfort food at its finest. (via The Woks of Life)
Zaru Soba: Chilled soba noodles are dipped into a cooling blend of mentsuyu (noodle soup base), making this perfect for those scorching summer days when it's too hot to eat. You won't understand what you're missing out on until you actually dive into this simple yet crave-worthy dish. (via Pickled Plum)
Shabu Shabu: This hot-pot meal has you cooking thinly sliced beef, veggies, and tofu in a stock right at the table! Shabu shabu means "swish swish" in Japanese, so once your morsels are cooked, you can swish them in soy sauce or a sesame-based dipper. (via The Missing Lokness)
Yakitori:Yakitori translates to "grilled chicken." In Japan, these skewers include various parts of the chicken, but you can stick to the meaty parts you know and love if you're making it at home. Serve 'em up with a finger-lickin' teriyaki sauce and tangy scallions. (via Chopstick Chronicles)
Okonomiyaki: With this savory Japanese pancake, you can grill it how you like it. Made up of flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and your choice of protein, this indulgent snack is slathered with a lip-smacking sauce and a drizzle of Japanese mayo. (via Killing Thyme)
Ochazuke: Tea as a broth is *totally* a thing. Ochazuke brings green tea, steamed rice, and savory ingredients like pickled veggies or salted salmon together for a dish that's as cozy as it is light and simple. (via Otaku Food)
Udon Noodle Soup: Get your slurp on! Thick and chewy udon noodles are served in a warming soy-dashi broth with tender chicken and fresh shiitake mushrooms for a soup that eats like a meal. (via The Woks of Life)
Korokke: A popular everyday food in Japan, these breaded patties are filled with mashed potatoes, veggies, or seafood, and are deep fried to a golden crisp. You can dunk them in tonkatsu sauce, a Japanese BBQ sauce, to make them even more irresistible. (via Contemplating Sweets)
Oyakodon: Say hello to your new favorite rice bowl. This gem fills you up with fluffy rice and veggies. It's sometimes topped with chicken and egg or salmon and salmon roe, sticking true to its name, which means "parent and child." (via Rasa Malaysia)
Agedashi Tofu: Delicate tofu is sprinkled with potato starch and deep fried to a light crisp, then served in a small dish with a warm sauce made up of dashi, soy, and mirin. (via Cooking With Team J)
Takoyaki: Bring Japanese street food to your table with these mind-blowing fried dumplings. They're stuffed with octopus and topped with sweet and sour sauce, mayonnaise, aonori, and katsuobushi (dried skipjack tuna flakes). (via Golosos del Mundo)
Follow us on Pinterest for more ways to appreciate Japanese food!
