5 Easy Japanese Street Food Recipes You Can Make At Home
Eating at stalls and vendors has become one of the hippest ways to eat in the early 21st century, with people doing it everywhere, from London to Los Angeles, Mexico to Madrid. Japan is no exception; the people selling street food there are called Yatai. In this article, Kiichin will immediately suggest interesting knowledge and 5 Japanese street food recipes so you can easily make them at home for your family and friends.
1. What is Japanese street food?
There is an exciting story about Japanese street food. Depending on who you ask, street food doesn't exist in Japan – at least, not how people think of street food in Mexico, London, or other Asian countries. like Thailand and Taiwan.
Japan certainly has street food, but there's simply a different culture (and a different history) surrounding it. For example, street food is less associated with nightlife in Japan and more closely associated with festivals (matsuri) and events.
There is an exciting story about Japanese street food cooking.
As we mentioned in the introduction, street food vendors are called Yatai in Japan, and although they can be seen a lot at festivals, they are rare on the streets or alleyways. Because Yatai were considered part of nightlife culture, they were frowned upon when the Japanese government attempted to change its image after the war and become a more luxurious tourist destination. Laws were passed that made opening and operating Yatai difficult, and they gradually became fewer.
However, attitudes towards street food have changed, not just in Japan but worldwide, as top chefs have begun experimenting with street food, and the concept has caught on among the 'hipster' community.
Nowadays, it is generally accepted that after many years of less popularity throughout Japan, Yatai has had a resurgence (especially since 2016 due to the relaxation of some of the aforementioned laws) and is also in line with the trends similar around the world, but in a uniquely Japanese way and with dishes typical of this country.
2. 5 easy Japanese street food recipes you can try at home
2.1. Yakitori (grilled skewers)
When it comes to chicken skewers, the Japanese have their best version, Yakitori. The name directly means “grilled chicken,” but yakitori represents much more than that – it captures the essence of good times and happy hours in Japan.
These chicken skewers are a classic favorite often found at izakaya, Japanese-style pubs that offer a combination of chilled beer, delicious dishes, and lively conversations.
These chicken skewers are a classic favorite often found at izakaya.
The ingredients you’ll need:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- The seasonings: tare (made of soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar)
- Bamboo skewers
- Scallions
Easy oven baking method:
Start making the tare sauce, then thread the chicken and green onions onto skewers with tare sauce. When ready to bake, set the oven to a high temperature of 500°F and let it do the work. Within 15 minutes, you'll be rewarded with delicious charcoal-grilled chicken results. This recipe also works great for outdoor grilling.
3 quick tips to make delicious Yakitori:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are still more juicy and flavorful than breasts.
- Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before skewering the ingredients.
- Alternately skewer the chicken with the large pieces of green onions on the skewers and make sure they are tightly fitted together.
2.2. Takoyaki
Takoyaki is a Japanese snack shaped like small round balls containing pieces of octopus. Tako-yaki translates to “grilled/fried octopus,” and some people may call it “Grilled Octopus Cake” or “Octopus Dumplings.”
Takoyaki is one of Japan’s best-known street foods.
The ingredients you’ll need:
There are many variations of takoyaki throughout Japan. For example, the original Osaka style does not include any cabbage, but many regional variations (Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, Tokyo area) exist.
Here are the ingredients for the classic takoyaki recipe:
- Dashi-flavored batter
- Octopus
- Beni shoga (pickled red ginger)
- Green onion
- Tenkasu or Agedama (Tempura scraps)
3 perfect tips to make delicious Takoyaki:
Tip 1: Don't be stingy with oil.
Apply plenty of oil (each hole in the takoyaki pan and surrounding flat area). How generous? You should see 1/4 inch (5 mm) of oil in each hole. The oil gives the takoyaki a crispy skin and makes it easier to flip without the dough sticking to it.
Tip 2: Pour the batter generously.
When you see smoke from the grill/plate, pour the batter into the hole. If it overflows, it's okay. The entire baking surface must be covered with flour after adding the octopus and other ingredients into the hole. If you use a larger piece of octopus, you can pour just enough to cover the holes. As soon as the octopus enters, it naturally spills out.
Tip 3: Flip 90 degrees and stuff in more dough.
Use a skewer to break up the excess dough around the hole. Once the bottom of the takoyaki ball is crispy, turn it 90 degrees so the uncooked dough pours out the hole. Stuff and push the surrounding dough inside the balls. This will help create a perfect circle.
2.3. Okonomiyaki (savory pancake)
Okonomiyaki is a delicious Japanese cabbage cake. It is also known as “Japanese pizza” or “Japanese frittata” in the US.
This dish is highly adaptable even if you don't eat pork or prefer other protein options. The options for fillings and toppings are endless, which is why this dish in Japanese means “grilled to your liking” – Okonomi (to your liking) Yaki (grilled).
Japanese cake street food recipe is simple to make.
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The ingredients you’ll need:
For the base batter:
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Grated mountain yam (nagaimo/yamaimo)
- Dashi (Japanese soup stock)
For the Okonomiyaki:
- Eggs
- Tenkasu (tempura scraps)
- Pickled red ginger (kizami shoga)
- Cabbage
- Sliced pork belly
How to make the best Okonomiyaki
- Make the base: Making the base first will improve the flavor and tenderness of the okonomiyaki.
- Prepare ingredients: Cut all ingredients. Ensure the cabbage is drained so the moisture doesn't dilute the dough.
- Make the okonomiyaki dough: Add eggs, tempura scraps, chopped red pickled ginger, then shredded cabbage. Mix them all together.
- Cook the okonomiyaki dough in a frying pan or electric griddle.
- Add spices and toppings.
2.4. Yakisoba (stir-fried noodles)
Yakisoba is a stir-fried noodle dish that typically includes meat or seafood and vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, onions, and bean sprouts. All of these ingredients are cooked together in a thick, sweet sauce, and the final dish is often topped with aonori (dried green seaweed) and red pickled ginger for added flavor.
Yakisoba (stir-fried noodles).
The ingredients you’ll need:
- Yakisoba noodles
- Vegetables: thinly sliced yellow onions, green onions, shredded carrots, some sliced shiitake mushrooms, chopped cabbage, bok choy, or thinly sliced bell peppers.
- Protein: sliced pork belly (or shrimp, squid, chicken, and firm tofu)
- Oil
- Yakisoba sauce: Worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir-fry sauce), tomato sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.
- Optional toppings: aonori (powdered green seaweed) and beni shoga (red pickled ginger). Some people also like to top the noodles with katsuobushi (shaved bonito flakes).
How to make the best Okonomiyaki:
- Cut ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat the noodles and transfer them to the dish.
- Cook the protein, followed by the tough vegetables, and then the soft vegetables.
- Arrange the noodles and season with Yakisoba Sauce.
- Toss them all together and serve.
2.5. Taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry)
Easily recognized for its strange fish shape, taiyaki is a waffle-style cake/snack filled with sweet red beans (anko) and sometimes other fillings such as custard, chocolate, Nutella, or cheese.
This is a quintessential dish at Japanese street fairs and festivals and is made in an iron mold shaped like an ear-like fish (red sea bream). In Japan, you can also find taiyaki shops that specialize in making sweets.
Taiyaki is a strange fish shape filled with sweet red beans.
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The ingredients you’ll need:
- Cake flour
- Baking powder & baking soda
- Whole milk
- Egg
- Sugar
- Neutral oil
- Filling: red bean paste (anko) or others such as Nutella, chocolate, custard, etc)
How to make the best Taiyaki:
- Make the batter
- Heat the taiyaki pan and pour the batter
- Add the filling of your choice and cook
Every taiyaki shop and every family has its own recipe and style for taiyaki, and my recipe leans toward a light, airy pancake texture. If you also like a crispy texture, omit the eggs and adjust the amount of liquid to the dough.
Conclusion
Usually, food stalls are lined up along the tree line so you can stroll around and enjoy delicious Japanese street food; it was a great experience! There is even a saying in Japanese called “Hana yori dango”, which means “Dango on flowers”. Hopefully, our easy Japanese street food recipes can help you quickly conquer Japanese cuisine even if you have not had the opportunity to travel to the land of cherry blossoms.
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