ginger – Japanese Cooking 101

Chicken Shogayaki (Ginger Chicken)

November 4, 2025 Noriko

Chicken Shogayaki (鶏の生姜焼き) or ginger chicken is sautéed chicken and onion in a ginger-soy flavored sauce. Just like Ginger Pork and Ginger Beef, this is a popular meat entree for everyday dinner in Japan. The taste of spicy ginger and lightly sweet savory sauce perfectly complements steamed rice. Along with some miso soup (find your favorite from many miso soups in our library!), you have a nutritious and delightful meal. The dish can be done in a matter of 10-15 minutes, so it’s easily made after work or school on busy weekdays. The typical and best side vegetable for Ginger Chicken is shredded cabbage, which adds a refreshing crunch to the meal, but a green salad would do too if that’s easier. If you don’t know what to cook, this is it! Hope you give it a try!

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Beef Shogayaki (Ginger Beef) Recipe

June 9, 2023 Japanese Cooking 101

Beef Shogayaki (Ginger Beef, 牛肉の生姜焼き) is braised thin beef in a ginger and soy sauce. The ginger-flavored sauce has just the right amount of spiciness balanced with saltiness and sweetness from soy sauce and Mirin. It is a version of Pork Shogayaki, ginger pork, and it may not be as well-known and popular as the pork dish, but it tastes great nonetheless.

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Umeshu (Plum Wine) Recipe

April 9, 2024 Japanese Cooking 101

Umeshu, or plum wine, is a popular sweet drink inside and outside Japan. This tasty drink is a great aperitif and also wonderful as a dessert wine after dinner. It’s often served chilled, over ice, or mixed with soda water.

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Shogayu (Japanese Ginger Tea) Recipe

March 2, 2026 Japanese Cooking 101

Shogayu (Japanese Ginger Tea) is a traditional Japanese home remedy made to help soothe the body and relieve symptoms of the common cold. This warming, slightly spicy herbal tea is especially popular during the colder months, as it gently heats the body from the inside out.

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Pork Shogayaki Recipe

February 8, 2026 Japanese Cooking 101

Pork Shogayaki (豚の生姜焼き) is a popular Japanese dish of thinly sliced pork pan-fried in a flavorful ginger soy sauce. It’s one of the most popular everyday meals in Japan, often served as a lunch or dinner entrée both at home and in restaurants. The combination of spicy ginger (shoga) and savory soy sauce, balanced with a hint of sweetness from mirin, makes this dish incredibly appetizing. It’s not as sweet as a typical teriyaki sauce, but the fresh kick of ginger gives it a bright, zesty flavor that pairs perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice. This delicious ginger sauce has a way of waking up your appetite—you might find yourself reaching for a second serving of rice before you know it!

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Simple Japanese Ginger Dressing (Soy Ginger Dressing)

February 16, 2026 Yuko

This simple Japanese ginger dressing is fresh, savory, and easy to make at home—just like the light, flavorful dressing served at Japanese restaurants. Made with freshly grated ginger and soy sauce, it’s a versatile everyday dressing that brings bright, authentic Japanese flavor to your table.

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