What are enoki mushrooms? The enoki is a striking white mushroom with a tiny cap perched atop a long slender stem. Around here, it is more commonly called the “velvet shank”. Native to Japan, these mushrooms usually grow in clusters on tree stumps during the winter period. In the wild, […]
Tag: Japanese cuisine
Panko Breadcrumbs: What Are They?
Despite its distinctive name, panko is simply a type of breadcrumb. The word panko is Japanese – “pan” means bread and “ko” means flour or powder. Authentic panko is always made from a special crustless white bread, rather than whole wheat bread, that is baked using an electric current. The […]
Nigiri explained: how to make it
One of the wonderful things about sushi (or even Japanese cuisine in general) is that you don’t need to know the name of every little variety to enjoy it. This is especially true if you go to conveyor belt sushi restaurants, where you’re free to pick any dish that catches […]
What Is Tamari Sauce?
Tamari (also called tamari shoyu) is a Japanese sauce made from fermented soybeans. It has a thicker consistency and a more balanced flavor than Chinese soy sauce, which makes it perfect for dipping. It is also vegan and naturally gluten-free. Pour tamari straight from the bottle to add salt, umami, […]
What is sashimi?
If you’re wondering what sashimi is and whether it’s the same as sushi, don’t worry – you’re not the only one puzzled by these Japanese classics. I’ve got you covered. I’ll even explain how to eat it. (Spoiler: it goes in your mouth !) What exactly is sashimi? Sashimi is a […]
A Simple Ramen Recipe
What is ramen? Ramen is a dish from traditional Japanese cuisine, essentially composed of wheat noodles, broth, tare (sauce), vegetables, and meat. With its wide assortment of toppings, ramen is a “chameleon” dish that can be made into hundreds of recipes. From thin and curly noodles to thick and straight […]
Authentic Tuna and Mayo Onigiri
A complete guide to Japan’s beloved stuffed rice balls so you can bring Japan into your kitchen What are onigiri? Has the “🍙” emoji always puzzled you too? It’s an onigiri! This iconic snack from Japanese cuisine is essentially a ball of cooked rice, often triangular, wrapped in a sheet […]
What is katsuobushi?
What is katsuobushi? Katsuobushi is a staple of Japanese cuisine. It consists of dried bonito flakes, a variety of tuna. It’s very often used in broths like the famous dashi. Visually, it looks a bit like wood shavings, but don’t be fooled, it’s actually tuna floating in your soup! What […]
Miso Noodles
This time we’re exploring Japanese cuisine with miso noodles! A homemade miso recipe will be coming soon but in the meantime, don’t worry about using store-bought miso paste. It will still be delicious! The main ingredients for miso noodles Dark and light soy sauce: Both are essential, in the worst […]
Soba noodles: What they are and how to use them
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. […]