Porridge, or Okayu (お粥) in Japanese, is rice cooked in broth or liquid until it becomes very soft, resulting in either a thin or thick soup-like consistency. Much like chicken soup in American culture, Okayu is traditionally served in Japan to people who are unwell or have little appetite, as it is a delicate and soothing meal that’s both nourishing and easy to digest.
Chicken Piccata is a dish prepared by seasoning thinly pounded chicken tenders, coating them in flour, and dipping them in beaten eggs before pan-frying. The dish gets its name from the Italian word piccata, meaning “a thrust with a lance.” The origin of the name is said to come from the cooking technique itself: the chicken cutlets are so thin that they can be turned with a single poke of a fork during cooking.
Doria is a Japanese casserole dish made with rice, creamy white sauce, and cheese. It’s a popular Western-influenced dish (Yoshoku) often served at Kissaten styled coffee shops in Japan. In this recipe, instead of serving in individual gratin dishes, doria is made in a deep pie dish that is ideal for family-style serving. After sauteing the chicken, mushrooms, and onion, we use the same frying-pan to make it simple (and less pots to clean!) Ketchup flavored rice goes really well with the creamy white sauce, but if you would like to skip adding the ketchup, that is totally fine, too. Doria is a hearty, warm, and comforting dish that is perfect for a winter dinner. Enjoy!
Dashi Curry is a curry made without store-bought curry mix but with dashi stock and curry powder, thickened with starch. It’s a simpler type of Japanese curry often found at Soba or Udon noodle shops, in contrast to curry specialty stores that use more complicated spices and ingredients. Unlike traditional Japanese curries that rely on instant curry roux, Dashi Curry offers a more straightforward approach to this beloved comfort food. By using curry powder and Dashi—a fundamental Japanese stock made from bonito flakes—the dish gains a rich, umami depth without relying on processed ingredients. The simplicity of Dashi Curry doesn’t compromise on flavor. Instead, it highlights the clean, subtle tastes of Dashi and the warmth of curry powder, creating a dish that feels simple and homey. I hope you give it a try soon!
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.
Rolled Chicken with Vegetables is a dish featuring pan-fried chicken thighs rolled up with carrot and green beans, flavored with a light teriyaki sauce. This easy chicken recipe makes a great dinner option or an attractive addition to a Bento box for lunch. The lightly sweetened teriyaki sauce is perfect for everyday meals. We also have a similar recipe, Beef Roll Up with Vegetables, which is delicious too, but here, we’ve used chicken thighs, pounded thin, instead of thinly sliced beef. If you love chicken or prefer to avoid red meat, this dish is for you. To make it even healthier, consider using chicken breast. You can also experiment with other vegetables like asparagus or zucchini—just be sure to adjust the cooking time for the filling based on how tender the vegetables are. Choosing colorful vegetables will make the dish look even more appealing when sliced. We hope you give it a try!
Wasabi Chicken is a sauteed chicken pieces coated with wasabi flavored simple teriyaki sauce. Wasabi paste is well known as a condiment for sushi, sashimi, and traditional Japanese noodles. However, zesty and spicy wasabi also complements meat dishes such as teriyaki chicken and steak surprisingly well.
Chicken Tempura is deep-fried chicken breast pieces coated in Tempura batter. This hearty and delicious chicken is flavored simply with salt, and it’s a more casual dish than the traditional and elaborate Tempura dish with a variety of ingredients served with Tempura sauce. Variations of chicken Tempura are regional specialties in western Japan, where the region is known for its thriving poultry industry, but it is a solid home cooking dish after all. Chicken is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible, so chicken tempura has played an important role as a common food for the general public. The preparation method – thinly slicing the chicken, coating it in batter, and deep-frying – allows for quick cooking while providing a satisfying taste.
Soup curry is a type of curry-flavored soup served with lightly fried vegetables and steamed rice. Unlike traditional curry, it has a lighter consistency, and the rice is typically served separately, allowing diners to dip the rice into the soup as they eat. Soup curry is known for its light flavor and abundant vegetables, and it has become more of a staple rather than just a trend, joining typical Japanese curry dishes in many menus.
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!