Forget oysters on the half shell, give frying them a try instead
Japanese cuisine is well-known for its enthusiastic embrace of raw or barely cooked foods. Seafood in particular is frequently consumed when it's raw; sometimes it's so fresh, it's still moving on the plate. Throughout much of Japan's culinary history, a notable exception to this trend ...
Chase away the winter blues with a comforting nabe hot pot
Japanese nabe (hot pot) is a warming and hearty dish that is easy to prepare, even for the inexperienced cook. Preparing nabe together at the table makes cooking a fun group activity instead of a tedious chore.
Don't go to the store, make your own New Year's feast instead
The style of osechi (New Year's food) that is popular today is an array of salty, sweet or sour foods made in advance to give the cook of the house a break during the New Year period.
A comforting udon noodle recipe for the winter season
Two of the most popular everyday hot udon soups are named after animals that have a special place in Japanese folklore and the Shinto religion: the kitsune (fox) and the tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog).
Autumn is the season for shinmai, newly harvested rice
Shinmai — rice harvested and processed during the current calendar year — is celebrated for its fresh, clean taste and subtle sweetness. But komai (old rice) also has its place in Japanese history and the kitchen.
Potato korokke: Deep-fried, delicious and easy to make
Whether you call them croquettes, krokets, or korokke, this classic, easy-to-make deep-fried potato dish can be dressed up with a variety of fillings and sauces.
Hiyajiru: A soup to get over the last of the summer sweat
Learn how to make hiyajiru, a chilled miso and sesame soup, with this simple recipe.
Edamame: Eat them fresh and green, with a beer or two
Edamame, or immature green soybeans, are the quintessential snack to have with an ice-cold beer, especially in summer. Their popularity has spread around the world in recent years, but the habit of eating fresh, salted green soybeans out of their pods has a history in ...
A recipe for the rainy season: Umeboshi-simmered pork
Beat the plum rains with ume nibuta, a versatile pork dish that will see you through June.
Hosting a summer bash? Impress with quick and easy konbujime
A popular drinking snack or side dish accompanying a traditional Japanese meal, konbujime is umami-packed and refreshing.
Celebrating the spring with homemade Japanese sweets
Spring is a great time for fans of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets. While many wagashi reflect the seasons all year long visually — especially the colorful, beautifully formed nerikiri created by skilled artisans — this is the time of year when you can taste, ...
Cabbage: The brassica that found a new home in Japan
The humble cabbage is the third most consumed vegetable in Japan according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, following daikon radishes and onions. It's used in everything from stir-fries and gyōza dumplings to pickles and more and, despite the high prices for ...
