From Izakaya-style Yakitori chicken to grilled Yakionigiri rice balls, these are some of the best Japanese-style grilling recipes that you will want to try this summer and all year long!
Yakiniku Japanese BBQ Sauce
Yakiniku sauce, a dipping sauce for Japanese BBQ, is a soy sauce-based sauce infused with rich flavors of garlic, sesame, and other spices. It serves as a fantastic accompaniment for Teppanyaki meats and vegetables, Yakiniku BBQ, and beyond. It’s almost like a multi-purpose sauce that can elevate many dishes such as stir-fried vegetables, salads, and simple pan-fried meats.
Assorted Yakitori
Assorted Yakitori is grilled skewered chicken and various vegetables dipped in a sweet and salty Teriyaki-like sauce or simply served with salt. Yakitori is a very popular appetizer at Yakitori bars and other bar-type restaurants in Japan. It can be a nice dinner as well if there are more vegetables and especially when served with rice and Miso Soup.
Get the Assorted Yakitori Recipe
Yakitomorokoshi (Grilled Corn)
Yakitomorokoshi is grilled corn brushed with soy sauce. It is loved by Japanese people at fairs and festivals and it is one of the most popular staples of street vendors. The smell of grilled soy sauce is so tasty and appetizing. We find the sweetness from summer corn and the saltiness of soy sauce are the best match.
Restaurant-Style Yakitori
Typical Yakitori recipe calls for chicken thighs, but there are also many different chicken parts that are used at Yakitori specialty restaurants in Japan. Inspired by restaurant-style Yakitori we tasted in Kyoto, Japan, we recreated two unique Yakitori recipes: Tsukune skewered ground chicken and chicken tenders with Umeboshi plum sauce.
Grilled Yaki Onigiri
Yaki Onigiri are Japanese rice balls that are grilled until crispy on the outside. Japanese short-grain rice are seasoned with soy sauce and formed into triangle shape by hand. The same sauce is then brushed on the surface during Onigiri are grilled.
Yaki Onigiri is one of everyone’s favorite outdoor foods in Japan, and it’s a great side dish to serve with grilled meat and vegetables.
Get the Grilled Yaki Onigiri Recipe
Grilled Beef Tongue with Salty Onion Sauce
Beef tongue is quite a popular ingredient in Japan, especially at Japanese BBQ restaurants. It’s actually one of the most popular items at Yakiniku BBQ restaurants today. Thinly sliced beef tongue is rather tender and delicious. It’s quick to cook with the special charcoal or gas grills at restaurants, which may of course affect the flavor, giving the meat nice charred grill marks. Many people in Japan also buy raw sliced tongue to cook at home themselves so that they can make it right at their tables using with the same kind of grills. Here, we will show you how it’s done in a frying pan, which may be much easier.
