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:

1. In a large pot, bring the chicken broth, soy sauce, mirin, ginger, and garlic to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat and let the broth simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions.
4. Divide the noodles among four bowls.
5. Top the noodles with the broth and the toppings of your choice.
6. 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:

1. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, honey, and garlic.
3. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers.
4. Brush the chicken skewers with the marinade.
5. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
6. Grill the chicken skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
7. Brush with additional marinade while cooking.
8. 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:

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, cabbage, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
2. Lay a gyoza wrapper on a cutting board.
3. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the filling onto the center of the wrapper.
4. Using your finger, wet the edge of the wrapper with water.
5. Fold the wrapper in half and pinch the edges together to seal.
6. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
7. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
8. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the skillet.
9. Add the gyoza to the skillet in a single layer.
10. Cook the gyoza for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown.
11. Add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet and immediately cover with a lid.
12. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the gyoza are cooked through.
13. 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:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, and eggs until smooth.
2. Add the shredded cabbage and protein to the batter and stir to combine.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
4. Add the batter to the skillet and use a spatula to shape it into a large pancake.
5. Cook the pancake for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Transfer the pancake to a cutting board and cut into wedges.
7. Top with okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise.
8. 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:

1. In a medium pot, bring the dashi stock to a simmer.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the miso paste and a small amount of the hot dashi until smooth.
3. Add the miso paste mixture to the pot and stir to combine.
4. Add the tofu and seaweed to the pot and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with sliced green onions.
6. 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:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, dashi stock, and eggs until smooth.
2. Heat a takoyaki griddle over medium-high heat and brush with vegetable oil.
3. Pour the batter into the griddle, filling each mold about 3/4 of the way full.
4. Add a small amount of diced octopus, green onions, and pickled ginger to each mold.
5. Use a skewer to lightly stir the batter and ingredients together.
6. Let the pancakes cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown.
7. Use a toothpick to flip the pancakes over and cook the other side until golden brown.
8. Transfer the pancakes to a plate and top with takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise.
9. 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:

1. Preheat a deep fryer or a pot of vegetable oil to 375°F.
2. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
4. Slowly add the sparkling water, whisking constantly, until a smooth batter forms.
5. Dip the shrimp and vegetables in the batter, shaking off any excess.
6. Carefully place the shrimp and vegetables in the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
7. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tempura to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
8. 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:

1. Place the pork chops between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until they are even thickness.
2. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
3. Set up a breading station by placing the flour, beaten eggs, and panko bread crumbs in three separate shallow dishes.
4. Dredge each pork chop in the flour, shaking off any excess.
5. Dip in the eggs and then coat in the panko bread crumbs.
6. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
8. Transfer the pork chops to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
9. 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:

1. Cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions.
2. In a large pot, bring the chicken broth, soy sauce, mirin, and ginger to a simmer.
3. Add the sliced carrots to the broth and let simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Divide the udon noodles among four bowls.
5. Ladle the broth and vegetables over the noodles.
6. 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:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the matcha powder and hot water until smooth.
2. Add the honey and stir to combine.
3. Heat the milk in a small pot or a microwave-safe mug until hot but not boiling.
4. Froth the milk using a whisk or a milk frother.
5. Pour the matcha mixture into a mug.
6. Top with the frothed milk.
7. Serve hot.