Tag - washoku-essentials

 
 

WASHOKU ESSENTIALS

In Japan, these sweet morsels are a traditional New Year's treat, but they share a surprising overlap with American Thanksgiving flavors, too.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Nov 10, 2024
The winter sweet that matches perfectly with autumn
If I’m in America for Thanksgiving, I’ll serve "kuri kinton" (syrup-stewed chestnuts in sweet potato paste) as a festive accompaniment to the holiday turkey.
From mid-August through late September, eggplants reach their height of flavor in Japan.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Sep 1, 2024
Japan’s autumn eggplant: Too delicious for your daughter-in-law
In Japan, autumn eggplant has become a shorthand symbol for keeping the most pleasurable things in life to yourself.
Sardines may not be the traditional choice for Japan's special midsummer eel-eating day, but with a few special touches, the fish can be a satisfying and sustainable replacement.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Jul 21, 2024
Going eel-less for Japan’s midsummer tradition
Japanese eel is endangered, but sardines are an ethical — and delicious — substitute for this year’s double Doyo no Ushi no Hi.
This is the dish that hooked me on the traditional Japanese ways of the "washoku" kitchen.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
May 26, 2024
Land and sea come together in traditional kitchen staple
For a dish of ingredients that display such culinary affinity, the Japanese have a go-to phrase: "aishō ga yoroshii" (good compatibility).
During cherry blossom season, lunchtime thoughts turn to outdoor picnicking, and savory sakura-flavored rice bundles are the perfect choice.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Mar 23, 2024
Cherry blossoms are just as beautiful on a plate as a branch
With Tokyo’s cherry blossom season imminent, the tree takes center stage in sweet and savory dishes alike.
'Oden' may not be an iconic dish outside Japan, but during winter, there's nothing Japanese diners love more.
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Jan 28, 2024
In a Japanese winter, homemade ‘oden’ warms the body and soul
In poll after poll, this warming assortment of slowly simmered foods is the top-ranking comfort food for blustery winter nights.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Jul 16, 2023
I scream, you scream, we all scream — for amazake aisu
Today, amazake is commonly made by combining warm, cooked rice with kōji, Japan’s magical mold.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
May 21, 2023
Any way you slice it, burdock root stir-fry hits the spot
Named after a folk hero, this dish frequently appears tucked into bento, as a side on family dinner tables and on the menu at pubs and other casual eateries.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Mar 26, 2023
Springtime sawara: Fresh fish, sweet sauce and a perfect sear
Don't settle for storebought teriyaki when you can perfect your own without too much trouble.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Oct 30, 2022
The Ichimatsu motif: Cooking for both flavor and fortune
There's more than meets the eye for foods cooked with this distinctive checkerboard pattern.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Aug 28, 2022
Harnessing togi-jiru, Japanese cuisine's secret weapon
Every time you pour rinse water down the drain, you might be discarding a way to elevate every Japanese dish in your cookbook.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Jun 26, 2022
Tsukudani: Simmer your way to rice's best friend
Hundreds of years after it first gained popularity, tsukudani remain a mealtime favorite across Japan.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
May 1, 2022
Brush up on your bento basics
Spring has more than sprung, making these eye-catching bento the perfect addition to your next warm-weather picnic.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Feb 26, 2022
Chirashi-zushi: The go-to dish for any holiday bash
Thanks to its flexibility as a main dish, scattered-style sushi is often a favorite at parties where you don't know how many people might show up.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Dec 26, 2021
Liven your year-end spread with the 'three friends of winter': pine, bamboo and plum
'Nishime' is a favorite dish among the Japanese during the year-end holidays, and this recipe will help ensure your spread makes the cut.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Oct 23, 2021
Why the land-and-sea mindset is so important for Japanese meals
Chefs have consciously included ingredients from both land and sea in the same washoku meal for centuries. What makes the practice so enduring, and how can you use it in your own kitchen?
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Oct 23, 2021
Recipe: Mushroom and salmon takikomi gohan (mixed rice)
This classic autumn dish combines the best of land and sea into one bowl. Use any combination of umami-rich mushrooms you like to complement the briny salmon and garnish with fresh herbs.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Aug 28, 2021
When you get familiar with kanten, cooking starts to gel just right
Known as agar-agar in most English-speaking countries, kanten is shelf-stable and can be found in convenient powdered form, for whenever you need a vegan-friendly way to set liquids.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Aug 28, 2021
How to make Japanese kanten fruit jelly
These bright, colorful kanten jelly desserts are the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth while staying cool in the heat.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Washoku Essentials
Jun 26, 2021
Approach mealtime differently with a washoku mindset
Japanese kitchen traditions — using food fully while being mindful of balancing color, flavor and method — will help you put together a meal that's healthy, colorful and delicious.

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People in cities across Japan will pop into their local convenience store for any number of products they believe will help them with a night of drinking.
Hangover cures are everywhere in Japan — but do they work?