What are soba noodles? Soba are noodles used in Japanese cuisine. They’re fairly thin and a dusky brown, thanks to their main ingredient: buckwheat flour. Most versions also include a little wheat flour and water, while more elaborate ones can feature more specific ingredients such as matcha powder or seaweed. […]
What is sake? Sake is the national drink of Japan. It is an alcohol made from fermented rice, which would be called “rice wine” in French. It is therefore a true classic of Japanese cuisine. To make it, Japanese breweries mix highly polished rice, water, a mold that is also […]
What is dashi? Dashi is a simple Japanese soup stock. It is popular in Japanese cuisine because, unlike other broths that are more complicated and time consuming, it uses very few ingredients and takes only about twenty minutes to prepare. And it is absolutely delicious. The method is straightforward: soak […]
What is teriyaki sauce? Teriyaki sauce is a thick, sweet and savory sauce used in Japanese cooking. The name comes from “teriyaki,” a word that refers to cooking meat or vegetables in this sauce. It gives food a tangy flavor, which is actually a synonym for the literal translation of […]
What Is Mirin? Mirin (pronounced “mirinne”, not “mirain” as in my cold soba video) is a type of Asian wine used as a condiment, which comes from Japanese cuisine. It’s quite similar to sake, but less alcoholic and sweeter. To make mirin, cooked glutinous rice and cultured rice are fermented […]
What is black rice vinegar? Black rice vinegar is a condiment widely used in Asian cuisine, but especially in Chinese cuisine. Along with red rice vinegar and white rice vinegar, it’s one of the three varieties of rice vinegar. Completely black in color, black rice vinegar has a complex taste, […]
Sesame oil is a cooking oil made from sesame seeds that is highly appreciated in Asian cuisine. There are several varieties made from either pressed seeds or roasted seeds, and they are used in different ways in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and even Middle Eastern cuisine. Light sesame oil is generally […]
MSG (monosodium glutamate) is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in Europe. Part of the reason for this fear may be tied to its name: these days, many people avoid ingredients whose names sound too chemical. Of course, anything can sound scary if you use its scientific name. Sodium chloride […]
Whether you call it Japanese mayonnaise or Kewpie, once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back. Japanese mayonnaise has a rich, eggy flavor with a sweet, gently seasoned profile (not spicy), and it’s creamier in color and texture than standard mayo. Like so many Japanese creations, it packs a deep […]
Shaoxing wine is perhaps the most mentioned ingredient on my site that you’ve never heard of (and you let me know in the comments!). If you’ve ever wondered why your homemade Chinese food doesn’t taste like what you’d get in a restaurant, Shaoxing wine is probably the key element you’ve […]
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