Japanese cuisine is gaining immense popularity across the globe. From sushi to ramen, bento boxes to takoyaki, here are seven must-try Japanese dishes that are easily available in America. The recipes for sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, tonkatsu, udon stir-fry, takoyaki and mochi have been provided in a step-by-step format, making it easy to prepare these dishes at home. With high-quality Japanese ingredients and skilled chefs, it has become easier than ever to find authentic Japanese cuisine in America.

7 Must-Try Japanese Dishes You Can Find in America

Introduction

Japanese cuisine is becoming increasingly popular around the globe, from sushi to ramen to bento boxes. Thanks to the ubiquity of high-quality Japanese ingredients and the availability of skilled chefs, it’s easier than ever to find authentic Japanese dishes in America. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a refined dining experience, here are seven must-try Japanese dishes that are worth trying.

1. Sushi

Sushi is probably the most famous Japanese dish around the world. It’s a type of food that’s made with vinegared rice and a variety of toppings, including raw fish, vegetables, and eggs. Here’s how to make sushi at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sushi rice
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Nori (dried seaweed)
• Sushi toppings of your choice (e.g., salmon, tuna, avocado, cucumber, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the sushi rice until the water runs clear.
2. Cook the rice according to the package instructions.
3. In a small saucepan, heat the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until the sugar dissolves.
4. Add the vinegar mixture to the cooked rice and mix well.
5. Place a sheet of nori on a bamboo sushi mat.
6. Spoon the rice onto the nori, leaving a 1-inch border at the top.
7. Add your sushi toppings in a line across the center of the rice.
8. Roll the sushi tightly using the bamboo mat.
9. Using a sharp knife, cut the sushi into pieces.
10. Enjoy!

2. Ramen

Ramen is a noodle soup that’s a staple in Japanese cuisine. It typically consists of wheat noodles, meat or vegetable broth, and a variety of toppings, such as sliced pork, seaweed, and soft-boiled eggs. Here’s an easy ramen recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of miso paste
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 packages of ramen noodles
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Furikake seasoning (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the chicken broth, soy sauce, miso paste, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger until simmering.
2. Add the ramen noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until tender.
3. Divide the noodles and broth among four bowls.
4. Add the sliced green onion and furikake seasoning, if using.
5. Enjoy!

3. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that’s a popular street food in Japan. It’s made with a batter of flour, eggs, and water, and filled with shredded cabbage, sliced pork, and other ingredients. Here’s a recipe for okonomiyaki:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 egg
• 2 cups of shredded cabbage
• 4 slices of bacon
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup of okonomiyaki sauce
• 1/4 cup of chopped green onion

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the water and egg.
3. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and whisk until smooth.
4. Stir in the shredded cabbage.
5. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the bacon slices.
6. Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan and chop it into small pieces.
7. Pour the okonomiyaki batter into the skillet and sprinkle the chopped bacon on top.
8. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until crispy.
9. Drizzle the mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce on top.
10. Garnish with chopped green onion.
11. Enjoy!

4. Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish that consists of a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet. It’s typically served with rice, miso soup, and shredded cabbage. Here’s a recipe for tonkatsu:

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless pork chops, about 1/2-inch thick
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Shredded cabbage for serving
• Cooked rice for serving
• Miso soup for serving

Instructions:

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. Place the flour on a shallow dish.
3. Beat the eggs in another shallow dish.
4. Place the panko breadcrumbs on a third shallow dish.
5. Coat each pork chop in flour, shaking off any excess.
6. Dip the pork chops in the beaten eggs, then coat them in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chops to ensure they stick.
7. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
8. Once the oil is hot, add the pork chops and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
9. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
10. Serve with shredded cabbage, cooked rice, and miso soup.
11. Enjoy!

5. Udon

Udon is a thick, chewy noodle that’s commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It’s often served in a hot soup or stir-fried with vegetables and meat. Here’s a recipe for udon stir-fry:

Ingredients:

• 2 packages of udon noodles
• 1/2 pound of chicken, sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1/2 bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 cup of snow peas
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of mirin
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken and onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink.
4. Add the bell pepper and snow peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
6. Add the cooked udon noodles and soy sauce mixture to the skillet and toss to coat everything evenly.
7. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until everything is heated through.
8. Enjoy!

6. Takoyaki

Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food that consists of small, round balls made of batter filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, and green onion. Here’s a recipe for takoyaki:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1 1/2 cups of dashi broth
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of diced octopus
• 1/4 cup of tempura scraps
• 1/4 cup of chopped green onion
• Takoyaki sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Bonito flakes

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, dashi broth, and eggs until smooth.
2. Heat a takoyaki pan over medium-high heat and brush each well with vegetable oil.
3. Fill each well with batter until it’s about 2/3 full.
4. Add a small amount of diced octopus, tempura scraps, and green onion to each well.
5. Using a takoyaki pick or a sharp skewer, flip the balls over so that they cook on all sides.
6. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
7. Drizzle takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise on top.
8. Garnish with bonito flakes.
9. Enjoy!

7. Mochi

Mochi is a type of sticky rice cake that’s a popular dessert in Japan. It’s often filled with sweetened bean paste or other fillings. Here’s a recipe for mochi:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of mochiko (sweet rice flour)
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of water
• Cornstarch for dusting
• Sweetened bean paste or other filling

Instructions:

1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the mochiko, sugar, and water until smooth.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes sticky and translucent.
3. Dust a work surface with cornstarch.
4. Scoop about a tablespoon of the mochi dough onto the surface.
5. Flatten the dough into a circle and place a small amount of sweetened bean paste or other filling in the center.
6. Carefully gather the edges of the dough around the filling and pinch them closed, forming a ball.
7. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
8. Enjoy!

Conclusion

Whether you’re a fan of sushi or ramen or you’re eager to try something new like okonomiyaki or takoyaki, there are plenty of delicious Japanese dishes to discover in America. By following these step-by-step recipes, you’ll be able to create authentic Japanese cuisine in your own kitchen. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking and enjoy!