Author

JapaneseCooking101

Browsing

Japanese Dinner Menu 2

Japanese Dinner Menu 2






Dinner is the meal everybody is looking forward to the most in the day.  It is the biggest and most fulfilling meal of all in many parts of the world.  Japanese dinner is the same way.  Even if you’re OK to eat a simpler and lighter breakfast of toast and then Udon noodles for lunch, you would like to eat more significant food at night.

A proper Japanese dinner consists of one soup and three dishes along with rice.  That is called Ichijyu Sansai (一汁三菜）in Japanese.  The soup could be Miso Soup or a clear broth soup.  The three dishes include one main dish like Tempura, grilled fish, Tonkatsu, and so on, and two other smaller vegetable dishes like salads and boiled veggies.  It doesn’t have to be an elaborate menu, but Japanese people like to eat a variety of foods which are cooked in different ways for dinner.  If the main dish is fried, the other dishes could be boiled, marinated in vinegar, or grilled, for example.  Each food is served in a separate dish.  Japanese dinner presentation can be very pretty with many dishes having different sizes, shapes, and materials (ceramics, wood, bamboo, iron, etc).  A drawback is, however, you end up with a lot of small dishes to wash after dinner.  You’d better have a nice American size dishwasher or husband to put to work.

We made our Japanese dinner here with Hamburger Steak as a main dish, Hijiki Nimono and Onion Salad as side dishes.  Miso Soup with Tofu and Wakame and Genmai (Brown Rice) are also served with other dishes, of course.  Hope you like this combination!

Japanese Dinner Menu 2



View Post
By

Shumai Recipe

Shumai Recipe


Shumai originated from Chinese-style dumplings,  but changed to match Japanese taste just like Gyoza.  Shumai are steamed pork fillings stuffed in Shumai wrappers. They are eaten alone or dipped in vinegar soy sauce with mustard.  In the US, you can find Chinese shumai at Dim Sum in Chinese restaurants for breakfast/lunch.  They can be wonderful in your lunch box and also as a tasty main dish for dinner.

View Post
By

Tonjiru Recipe

Tonjiru

Tonjiru (or Butajiru, 豚汁) is a type of miso soup made with pork and hearty root vegetables such as Gobo (burdock root) and carrots. Although it shares the same miso base, Tonjiru tastes quite different from ordinary miso soup. The broth is deeply flavorful, enriched by the umami from pork and the earthy depth of Gobo, giving it a unique and robust character.

View Post
By

Carrot Ginger Dressing Recipe

Carrot Ginger Dressing


Carrot Ginger Dressing is the dressing used in many Japanese restaurants in the US.  The more American the restaurants are, the more likely they use this dressing for their salad, it seems.  We have never seen the Carrot Ginger dressing in restaurants in Japan, so this must be an American thing. Where this originally came from is a little unclear, but it is said that some Japanese steak house restaurants started serving or something.  Even though this may not be very authentic Japanese food, still the bright orange dressing is quite tasty and we would like to include it in our Japanese recipes.

View Post
By

Yakisoba Recipe

Yakisoba


Yakisoba is Japanese stir fried noodles. It is served with Yakisoba sauce, similar to Tonkatsu or Okonomiyaki sauce.  Yakisoba is usually fried with sliced pork and vegetables like cabbage and bean sprouts.  It is a very popular casual food (or snack) everyone likes in Japan.  You can find Yakisoba at many places like Okonomiyaki restaurants, festivals, supermarket delis, and of course, home.

View Post
By

Kinpira Gobo Recipe

Kinpira Gobo is braised burdock root and carrot in a sweet and salty sauce.  This is another mom’s home cooking kind of dish rather than restaurant food.  The name Kinpira comes from legendary muscleman, and that shows how nutritious the dish really is.  Kinpira Gobo is a great side dish you can make ahead.  These strongly seasoned vegetables can be kept in the fridge up to a week.  It’s perfect for lunch and busy weekday dinners when you want one more thing for the menu.

View Post
By

Hiyashi Chuka Recipe

Hiyashi Chuka / Cold Ramen

Hiyashi Chuka or Reimen (冷やし中華, 冷麺) are cold Chinese style noodles with a sweet tangy sauce.  Hiyashi Chuka is served at Ramen restaurants in Japan only during summer.  Chuka Men (中華麺), wheat flour noodles that are the same kind in Ramen, are used in Hiyashi Chuka.  The light and refreshing taste of this dish, on top of the coldness itself, make this the perfect food for hot summer days.

View Post
By