An authentic, refreshingly cold hiyayakko: silken tofu topped with ginger and scallions, finished with kombu-infused soy sauce. It’s hot, your appetite is fading, and yet a simple block of well-chilled tofu vanishes in just a few bites. Hiyayakko is all about contrast: the silky coolness of the tofu, the bite […]
Vegetables
Authentic Pajeon – Korean Scallion Pancake
A crisp yet tender Korean pancake packed with seafood and scallions, served piping hot with a tangy soy-vinegar sauce. The sound of rain starts in the skillet before it ever reaches the window: the oil crackles, the batter quivers, the scallions soften and release a fresh, mellow, almost sweet aroma. […]
Braised and Caramelized Lotus Root (Yeongeun Jorim – 연근 조림)
Lotus root (yeon-geun) is widely used in Korean cooking and across many other Asian cuisines. This sweet, soy-braised dish is one of Korea’s most popular ways to prepare yeongeun. It definitely deserves a spot on your list of go-to side dishes, because it is absolutely delicious! As I mentioned in […]
Thai-Style Fried Enoki Mushrooms
A delicious enoki mushroom fritter recipe to share over drinks with friends Fried enoki mushrooms? Fried enoki mushrooms? Absolutely! Picture delicate little enoki mushrooms transformed into a crisp appetizer or snack, best enjoyed with a dipping sauce. In Thailand, you can find them just about everywhere at night markets. These […]
Authentic Paratha
Delicious paratha, just like in India The ghee sizzles on the cast-iron tawa. The dough puffs up, freckles with small light-brown spots called chitthi, then lets a little steam escape from its crisp edges. The aroma of toasted wheat fills the room. In the potato-stuffed version, amchoor brings a clean […]
Authentic Cucumber Raita
An ultra-fresh, creamy cucumber raita, fragrant with spices and perfect with naan, rotis, or rice. Spoonful by spoonful, chilled dahi brings a creamy, bright, tangy texture. Mint adds freshness, cilantro brightens everything, and toasted cumin brings a warm, nutty depth. A traditional cucumber raita needs neither sugar nor an overly […]
Authentic Palak Paneer
A deeply garlicky palak paneer finished with sizzling tadka and softened with a touch of cream: a comforting, flavorful Indian dish. An emerald swirl of rustic spinach, studded with pale cubes of paneer and topped with a crackling fried garlic tadka: lasooni palak paneer announces its signature flavor right away. […]
Authentic Daigaku-imo – Candied Sweet Potatoes
Double-fried Japanese sweet potatoes, glazed with a mirin–soy syrup and finished with black sesame for an irresistible crisp-outside, tender-inside bite. Under the warm glow of street stalls, big wedges of sweet potato gleam beneath a glossy amber coat. The thin crust gives way with a clean crackle. A puff of […]
Aehobak Jeon – Korean Zucchini Fritters
Crisp on the outside and irresistibly tender within, these Korean zucchini fritters come with a fragrant, gently spicy dipping sauce “Pshht!”—the gentle hiss when egg meets a hot pan says it all. A whiff of seared egg, the fresh green scent of zucchini, the promise of an airy pancake. For […]
Air Fryer Eggplant
A delicious air-fried breaded eggplant recipe that will delight your guests Slide out the basket of the air fryer and the kitchen fills with a nutty aroma—think hazelnut—from the breaded eggplant. A gentle crackle evokes deep-frying, even though the slices get only a mist or a thin drizzle of oil, nowhere near an oil bath. […]