Osechi is the traditional Japanese New Year’s meal comprised of a number of small dishes into a single presentation. Each osechi dish has its own significance: from hope for a bountiful harvest, safety for loved ones, longevity, or...

Nira is a green vegetable called “chives” in English and tama means egg in Japanese. I used fresh, organic nira that my teacher, Don, grew in his back yard. This vegetable has a unique smell and may be new to you. But the smell goes...

This is a quick recipe to make, and is great for cold weather, paired with a Sapporo or even some sake for a comfortable night at home. Yield: 2 servings Time: 20 minutes Ingredients 1/2 pound thigh chicken...

Konbumaki is rolled seaweed. “Konbu” is a play on words with “yorokobu,” which means “to be happy,” so we eat a konbumaki over New Year’s for good luck. Yield: 2 people Time: 30 minutes Ingredients 5 seaweed...

This is simple, quick-stir fry recipe! It’s a great anytime dish, best served with salad and steamed rice. Enjoy! Yield: 2 servings Time: 20 minutes Ingredients 1/2 lb beef (cut into bite sizes) 3 bok choy (chopped...

Japanese: Spinach sesame salad. Spinach is loaded with calcium and iron, and is a great source of fiber. We like this recipe because spinach provides so many nutrients in a such a small package. Yield: 2 servings Time: 5...

“Tako” means octopus in Japanese. I know many of you can’t believe we eat octopus but it’s incredibly popular in Japan. It’s fairly similar in taste to squid, so if you like calamari, you are ready to try tako! Yield: 2...

Kuromame is the Japanese word for black beans and “mame” means good health. Yield: 6 shrimp Time: 7 hours Ingredients 1/4 lb kuromame Spices 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tbsp

Kinki is “rockfish” in English and nitsuke means boiled fish (or vegetables) in soy sauce. Winter is the best season for rockfish, and nitsuke is the most popular way to eat it. This picture is from yesterday’s dinner. The kinki is...

Chicken Karaage is a very common Japanese home cooking recipe and many Japanese restaurants in countries all over the world have it on the menu. Very simple and tasty!! Yield: 4 servings Time: 50...

Japanese steakhouses serve garlic rice after the meal, and many of them cook teppanyaki style (preparing the meal on a grill in front of you). It’s really fun to watch and be served by the chef moments after he cooks it for you! ...

Daigaku Imo is a traditional Japanese recipe. The word “daigaku” means university and “imo” is Japanese for potato. It is called “daigaku” because it was once a very popular dish with university students. Yield: 2...

Chicken is low in calories so it’s very good if you’re on a diet. Also, vinegar is a great antidote for fatigue, so this recipe is a perfect cool, summer appetizer. Yield: 4 servings Time: 15 minutes Ingredients 3 chicken...

Shrimp appear to have long beards and a hunched back, which some Japanese associate with a long and fruitful life. So eat your osechi ebi and enjoy your longevity! Yield: 6 shrimps Time: 20 minutes Ingredients 6...

This recipe is uses ground chicken and tofu, so it is very light and low in calories. Tofu is much cheaper than meat in Japan, so I use that often to save money on food. Yield: 4 patties Time: 35 minutes Ingredients 3/4 lb...

Ebichiri (lit. ”shrimp chili”) is grilled shrimp with doubanjiang, which may or may not contain chili peppers (based on which level of spiciness you choose). Originally a Szechuan dish from China, Ebichiri has been modified to fit...

When pureed soybeans are filtered in the production of soy milk, the resulting pulp is called okara. This side dish is also called “unohana” but “okara” is more common. The okara is great for your health, especially for women....

This is a simple and delicious Japanese desert. Japanese sweet potatoes are called “satsumaimo”. They are very sweet and soft. Satsuaimo are used frequently in Japanese cuisine, prepared in a variety of ways and dishes: in cakes,...

This is a very simple grilled chicken recipe. I often put it in my lunch box. It is also good for larger pieces of chicken on the BBQ! Yield: 2 servings Time: 20 minutes Ingredients 1/2 lb thigh chicken (chopped) 1/2...

The Japanese people love corn soup. Almost every family style restaurant serves corn soup and many varieties can be found in grocery stores. Corn soup dispensers can even be found in our internet cafes next to the coffee and soft...

Kamaboko is a Japanese fish cake (kouhaku means red and white, and these two colors are typically associated with congratulatory sentiments). I used only red kamaboko this year but it would be prettier if I had white as well. Yield: 2...

?Nimono? is the Japanese word for food that is boiled and seasoned. The taste is very mild and the aroma reminds me of the way my childhood home used to smell when I got home from school. Enjoy! Yield: 2 servings Time: 40 minutes...

Satsumaage is a paste made from fish and vegetables. “Satsuma” is the old name for Kagoshima City, where satsumaage got its start, and the “-age” (ahh-geh) part means it’s deep fried. It is very popular in Kyushu. My grandmother...

This recipe is pretty simple but there are many ways to prepare it. Nikumiso is great with steamed rice, fried rice, fried noodles, pasta, sandwiches, and very tasty just wrapped in lettuce. The possibilities are endless… The recipe I...

In Japan, we call Vietnamese spring rolls “Nama Harumaki”. As in the U.S. and other countries, it is a common dish in Japanese restaurants. I did a very basic recipe here, but you can get creative and add cream cheese, avocado or...