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Stick Harumaki are deep-fried spring rolls filled with shrimp, edamame, and cheese. Long and skinny, they’re perfect finger food for party appetizers.

Unlike traditional Japanese spring rolls where fillings are tightly wrapped, these Harumaki have a more relaxed wrapping style, making them easier to prepare. The filling doesn’t require pre-cooking – just cut and stuff. When planning a holiday meal, appetizers should be as simple as possible, and these are easy enough that kids can help (except for the deep-frying part). Important steps to remember when making Stick Harumaki: Make sure to carefully pat dry the shrimp and edamame before wrapping, as excess moisture can cause the rolls to break during frying. When frying, handle the rolls gently to avoid piercing the skin – any holes can cause hot oil to splash. If you prefer extra-crispy rolls, try using whole Harumaki wrappers for each roll. While this method requires longer cooking time, it results in an exceptionally crunchy texture.

Seared Tuna is a popular dish served at Izakaya or Robatayaki estaurants (Japanese food bars) throughout Japan. Traditionally, the surface of the tuna is seared over flames, often fueled with rice straw or charcoal, which adds a smoky aroma while leaving the inside raw. It’s served with ponzu (a tangy citrus-soy sauce) and wasabi, making it an excellent appetizer that pairs well with sake or your drinks of choice.

Potato Gratin consists of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich and creamy sauce. While simple, its browned surface is especially appetizing, making it a universally appealing dish. Known as scalloped potatoes in the US, many countries have their own version of this dish. Japan has embraced it as well, and it’s now a western-style Japanese dish commonly found in restaurants and home kitchens. This combination of potatoes and béchamel sauce is popular among both the young and the old.

Today’s miso soup features pork and white button mushrooms. Use ordinary white mushrooms that can be found at any local store. While they don’t have as strong a flavor as shiitake mushrooms, not everyone always wants distinct mushroom flavors in their miso soup. White button mushrooms have just enough umami flavor for everyday soup. Pork adds more savory flavor, but you can substitute with tofu or other vegetables if you prefer a milder taste. Dashi is omitted here because there are rich flavors from the pork and mushrooms. It’s a very easy but satisfying miso soup. Hope you give it a try!

Pumpkin Purin is a Japanese-Western fusion dessert that combines Western-style custard pudding (called “Purin” in Japanese) with Japanese kabocha squash, a widely popular sweet pumpkin variety. While its exact origins are unknown, it has long been a staple at Western-style confectionery shops and bakeries in Japan, eventually becoming established as a beloved dessert that’s also popular to make at home.

When you are craving for Karaage or deep-fried chicken, but you have no time or energy to make it at home, this easy air fryer chicken karaage recipe is for you! It’s also a lot healthier than the typical deep-fried Karaage. Chicken thighs are cut into small bite size pieces, seasoned well with typical pantry ingredients, and cooked in the air fryer. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes! Since the chicken is cut small, there is no need to marinade this for a long time. Smaller pieces will also shorten the cooking time and make them crispy outside just like the deep-fried karaage.

The Katsu Sando (カツサンド) is a popular Japanese sandwich made with tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork) placed between slices of shokupan (Japanese toast bread). Typically cut into triangles or rectangles, this sandwich has become a beloved staple across Japan, frequently found in bakeries and convenience stores. It’s a common choice for school or work lunches due to its convenience and satisfying taste.

Mixed Rice, or Takikomi Gohan in Japanese, is an easy seasoned rice dish made right in your electric rice cooker. Mixed Rice with Salmon and Edamame requires minimal cooking involved, yet you end up with a delicious rice dish when it’s done. Here I used salmon fillet and frozen edamame. After seasoning the salmon, simply place it on top of the uncooked rice (no need to cut it!) and let the rice cooker do the rest. If you use pre-shelled edamame, which is commonly available today, you can skip the shelling step. Fresh ginger root adds a refreshing taste and subtle kick to the rice – you can adjust the amount to suit your preference. Despite using salmon, the dish isn’t fishy at all, especially with the ginger’s bright flavor. Serve this Takikomi Gohan as part of your meal, then transform any leftover rice into Onigiri rice balls for the next day’s lunch. I hope you’ll give it a try!