Japanese cuisine is renowned for its delicate flavors and aesthetics, and beyond sushi, there exist many more delicious dishes to explore. Below are ten such dishes: 1. Ramen: a classic noodle soup with various toppings; 2. Yakitori: delicious grilled chicken skewers with sweet and savory sauce; 3. Gyoza: Japanese dumplings typically filled with pork and vegetables; 4. Okonomiyaki: a savory pancake made with flour, cabbage, and protein, often topped with sweet and savory sauce and mayonnaise; 5. Miso soup: a light soup made with miso paste and traditional Japanese ingredients; 6. Takoyaki: small, round, savory pancakes filled with diced octopus and other ingredients; 7. Tempura: seafood and vegetables coated in light batter and fried until crispy, typically served with a soy-based dipping sauce; 8. Tonkatsu: breaded and fried pork cutlets with a sweet and savory sauce and cabbage slaw; 9. Unagi: grilled freshwater eel with sweet, caramelized sauce; 10. Shabu Shabu: a hot pot dish featuring thinly sliced beef and vegetables in a flavorful broth, served with dipping sauces.
Beyond Sushi: 10 Delicious Japanese Dishes You Need to Try
Introduction
Japanese cuisine is famous for its fresh ingredients, delicate flavors, and beautiful presentation. While sushi is the most well-known Japanese dish, there’s so much more to enjoy. In this article, we’ll explore ten delicious Japanese dishes that go beyond sushi.
1. Ramen
Ramen is a classic Japanese noodle soup that’s enjoyed all over the world. The soup is made with a rich broth, which can be made from pork, chicken, or fish bones, and contains thin, curly noodles. The soup is topped with a variety of ingredients, including sliced pork, bamboo shoots, seaweed, and a soft-boiled egg. You can find ramen at any Japanese restaurant, but it’s also fun to make at home.
Ingredients:
- 2 quarts chicken broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 packs of ramen noodles
- Sliced pork, bamboo shoots, seaweed, soft-boiled eggs for topping
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth, soy sauce, mirin, ginger, and garlic to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and let the broth simmer for 15 minutes.
- Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions.
- Divide the noodles among four bowls.
- Top the noodles with the broth and the toppings of your choice.
- Serve hot.
2. Yakitori
Yakitori is a Japanese grilled chicken skewer that’s often served as a snack or appetizer. The chicken is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, skewered, and grilled to perfection. Yakitori can be made with any part of the chicken, including the thigh, breast, and liver.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
Instructions:
- Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, honey, and garlic.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers.
- Brush the chicken skewers with the marinade.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Brush with additional marinade while cooking.
- Serve hot.
3. Gyoza
Gyoza, also known as Japanese pan-fried dumplings, are a popular appetizer or snack in Japan. The dumplings are filled with ground pork, vegetables, and seasonings, and pan-fried until crispy on the bottom. They’re typically served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 24 gyoza wrappers
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Dipping sauce: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon chili oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, cabbage, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
- Lay a gyoza wrapper on a cutting board.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon of the filling onto the center of the wrapper.
- Using your finger, wet the edge of the wrapper with water.
- Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges together to seal.
- Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the skillet.
- Add the gyoza to the skillet in a single layer.
- Cook the gyoza for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet and immediately cover with a lid.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the gyoza are cooked through.
- Serve hot with dipping sauce.
4. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that’s made with cabbage, flour, eggs, and your choice of protein. The pancake is often topped with a sweet and savory sauce and mayonnaise. Okonomiyaki is a popular street food in Japan and can be found at specialty restaurants around the world.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup cooked shrimp or pork belly
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise for topping
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, and eggs until smooth.
- Add the shredded cabbage and protein to the batter and stir to combine.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the batter to the skillet and use a spatula to shape it into a large pancake.
- Cook the pancake for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the pancake to a cutting board and cut into wedges.
- Top with okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise.
- Serve hot.
5. Miso Soup
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup that’s made with a simple broth and miso paste. The soup is often flavored with tofu, seaweed, and green onions. Miso soup is a light and healthy dish that’s perfect for a rainy day or a cold winter night.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dashi stock
- 3 tablespoons miso paste
- 1/2 cup cubed tofu
- 2 tablespoons chopped seaweed
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions:
- In a medium pot, bring the dashi stock to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the miso paste and a small amount of the hot dashi until smooth.
- Add the miso paste mixture to the pot and stir to combine.
- Add the tofu and seaweed to the pot and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with sliced green onions.
- Serve hot.
6. Takoyaki
Takoyaki are small, round, savory pancakes that are filled with diced octopus and other ingredients. The pancakes are made in a special griddle and are often served with a sweet and savory sauce, mayonnaise, and green onions. Takoyaki can be found at specialty restaurants all over Japan and are a fun snack to make at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups dashi stock
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup diced cooked octopus
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup pickled ginger
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise for topping
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, dashi stock, and eggs until smooth.
- Heat a takoyaki griddle over medium-high heat and brush with vegetable oil.
- Pour the batter into the griddle, filling each mold about 3/4 of the way full.
- Add a small amount of diced octopus, green onions, and pickled ginger to each mold.
- Use a skewer to lightly stir the batter and ingredients together.
- Let the pancakes cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown.
- Use a toothpick to flip the pancakes over and cook the other side until golden brown.
- Transfer the pancakes to a plate and top with takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise.
- Serve hot.
7. Tempura
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish that involves coating seafood and vegetables in a light batter and frying until crispy. The batter is made with flour, cornstarch, and sparkling water and is typically served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and grated ginger.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 2 cups assorted vegetables, such as sweet potato, broccoli, and onion
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups cold sparkling water
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Dipping sauce: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Instructions:
- Preheat a deep fryer or a pot of vegetable oil to 375°F.
- Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Slowly add the sparkling water, whisking constantly, until a smooth batter forms.
- Dip the shrimp and vegetables in the batter, shaking off any excess.
- Carefully place the shrimp and vegetables in the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tempura to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Serve hot with dipping sauce.
8. Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish made with breaded and fried pork cutlets. The cutlets are often served with a sweet and savory sauce and cabbage slaw. Tonkatsu can be found at specialty restaurants in Japan and around the world, but it’s also easy to make at home.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, center-cut pork chops
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Tonkatsu sauce for topping
Instructions:
- Place the pork chops between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until they are even thickness.
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
- Set up a breading station by placing the flour, beaten eggs, and panko bread crumbs in three separate shallow dishes.
- Dredge each pork chop in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip in the eggs and then coat in the panko bread crumbs.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the pork chops to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Top the pork chops with tonkatsu sauce and serve hot.
9. Udon
Udon is a type of Japanese noodle that’s made from wheat flour. The noodles are thick and have a chewy texture. Udon can be served in a hot broth with toppings such as beef, chicken, or vegetables, or can be stir-fried with a variety of ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces udon noodles
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions.
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth, soy sauce, mirin, and ginger to a simmer.
- Add the sliced carrots to the broth and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Divide the udon noodles among four bowls.
- Ladle the broth and vegetables over the noodles.
- Top with sliced green onions and serve hot.
10. Matcha
Matcha is a powdered green tea that originated in Japan. The tea is made by grinding the leaves of a special type of green tea plant into a fine powder. Matcha has a unique, slightly bitter flavor and is often used in desserts and other sweet treats.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons matcha powder
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the matcha powder and hot water until smooth.
- Add the honey and stir to combine.
- Heat the milk in a small pot or a microwave-safe mug until hot but not boiling.
- Froth the milk using a whisk or a milk frother.
- Pour the matcha mixture into a mug.
- Top with the frothed milk.
- Serve hot.