17 Japanese Chicken Meatball Recipe Taste The Magic Today!
Published on: Mar 25, 2024
If you're looking for a delicious and unique twist on traditional meatballs, then look no further than this Japanese chicken meatball recipe. These savory and flavorful bites are a perfect addition to any meal, whether it's a casual family dinner or a fancy gathering with friends. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can easily recreate this dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. So let's get started on this mouth-watering journey of making Japanese chicken meatballs!
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Chicken Fat, Salt, Egg, Onion, Ginger
If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, then you've probably heard of tsukune before. These delicious chicken meatballs are a staple in Japanese street food and can be found in many izakayas (Japanese bars). Made with a combination of ground chicken, onions, and seasonings, these meatballs are grilled to perfection and often served on skewers with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.
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Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs) | つくね
Main Ingredients: Bone, Shallot, Green Onions, Potato Starch, Egg, Water
In Japanese, tsukune means "meatball" and it's a popular dish that can be found in many restaurants and food stalls throughout Japan. While the traditional version is made with ground chicken, you can also find variations using other meats such as beef or pork. However, the juicy and flavorful chicken tsukune is a must-try for any Japanese food lover.
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Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs)
Main Ingredients: Chicken Mince, Spring Onion, Egg, Ginger, Bread Crumbs
Making tsukune at home is surprisingly easy and it's a great way to bring some Japanese flavors into your own kitchen. To make the perfect tsukune, you'll need ground chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sake, and panko (Japanese bread crumbs).
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TSUKUNE (JAPANESE MEATBALLS)
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Chicken Fat, Salt, Egg, Onion, Ginger
To make the meatballs, mix together the ground chicken, finely chopped onion, grated garlic and ginger, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Then add in the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and panko and mix until well combined. You can also add in some chopped green onions for added flavor and color. Once the mixture is well combined, shape it into small balls and set aside.
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Tsukune – Japanese Meatballs
Main Ingredients: Shiitake Mushrooms, Sesame Oil, Garlic Cloves, Fresh
In Japan, tsukune is often grilled on skewers over binchotan (Japanese white charcoal) for a smoky and delicious flavor. However, you can also cook them in a frying pan or under a broiler. If using skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning.
Main Ingredients: Dark Soy Sauce, Mirin, Sake, Light Brown Sugar, Rice
Once your skewers are ready, thread the meatballs onto them and grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked. If using a frying pan, cook the meatballs for about 4-5 minutes on each side over medium heat. Make sure to flip them frequently to prevent them from burning.
While the meatballs are cooking, you can make the teriyaki sauce to go with them. In a small saucepan, mix together soy sauce, mirin, sake, and a little bit of sugar and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
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Chicken Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Sausage)
Main Ingredients: Dried Shiitake Mushroom, Grated Ginger, Scallion, Skin
To serve the tsukune, drizzle the teriyaki sauce over the skewers or serve it on the side for dipping. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for added flavor and texture. Tsukune is best served hot and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal.
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Japanese Yaki Udon For Beginners
Main Ingredients: Udon Noodles, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Rice Vinegar, Pepper
If you want to try something different, you can also use the tsukune in other dishes such as yakitori meatballs or Japanese teriyaki meatballs. These dishes are made by cooking the meatballs in a teriyaki sauce and served over rice or noodles. You can also add some vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms for a more filling meal.
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Yakitori Meatballs, Japanese Teriyaki Meatballs
Main Ingredients: Ground Chicken Breast, Chives, Ginger, Cornstarch, Egg
If you're a fan of ramen, you can also use the tsukune in a delicious ramen dish. To make a simple and flavorful rice noodle ramen with bok choy and chicken tsukune, start by cooking the rice noodles according to package instructions. In a separate pot, cook some bok choy in a broth made with chicken stock, soy sauce, sake, and mirin. Once the bok choy is cooked, add in the tsukune and let it simmer until fully cooked. Serve the bok choy, tsukune, and broth over the rice noodles and top with some green onions and shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice).
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Rice Noodle Ramen with Bok Choy and Chicken Tsukune...
Main Ingredients: Lean Ground Chicken Breast, Panko Bread Crumbs
Another popular dish that you can make with tsukune is yakitori, which is Japanese grilled chicken on skewers. To make yakitori, simply marinate the tsukune in a tare sauce (a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar) for at least 30 minutes. Then grill the meatballs on skewers until fully cooked, basting them with the tare sauce as they cook. Serve the skewers with a sprinkle of shichimi togarashi and chopped green onions for a tasty and easy meal.
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Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken)
Main Ingredients: Skinless Chicken Thighs, Soy Sauce, Pure Maple Syrup
If you're craving a bowl of ramen, why not make it at home with some Japanese-style chicken meatballs? To make a simple and delicious Japanese ramen with chicken, start by cooking some ramen noodles according to package instructions. In a separate pot, bring chicken stock, soy sauce, sake, and mirin to a simmer. Add in some sliced mushrooms, baby spinach, and the tsukune and let it cook for a few minutes. Serve the broth and toppings over the cooked noodles and enjoy!
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Japanese Ramen with Chicken
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Salt, Pepper, Unsalted Butter, Sesame
If you want to add some spice to your ramen, you can also make a Japanese spicy miso ramen with tsukune. To make this flavorful dish, start by cooking some ramen noodles according to package instructions. In a separate pot, cook the tsukune in a mixture of chicken stock, miso paste, soy sauce, sake, and chili paste. Once the meatballs are fully cooked, add in some sliced mushrooms and let it simmer for a few minutes. Serve the broth and toppings over the cooked noodles and top with some chopped green onions and nori (dried seaweed).
For a refreshing and light ramen dish, you can try making a chicken tsukune spring ramen. This dish is made by cooking the tsukune in a broth made with chicken stock, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and lemon juice. Add in some sliced carrots and asparagus and let it cook for a few minutes. Serve the broth and toppings over cooked ramen noodles and enjoy a taste of spring in every bite.
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Chicken Tsukune Spring Ramen
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Savoy Spinach, Scallions, Ginger, Lemon
If you're in the mood for some Japanese street food, why not make some chicken karaage using tsukune? Karaage is a popular Japanese fried chicken dish that is often served as a snack or appetizer. To make it, simply marinate the tsukune in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, and garlic paste for at least an hour. Then coat the meatballs in a mixture of flour, cornstarch, and shichimi togarashi and fry until golden and crispy. Serve with some spicy mayo for dipping and enjoy a delicious and crispy treat.
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Japanese Street Food - Chicken Karaage
Main Ingredients: Chicken Leg, Sake, Soy Sauce, Ginger, Potato Starch
You can also use tsukune in a hearty and flavorful Japanese curry. To make a simple and delicious curry, start by cooking some rice. In a separate pot, cook the tsukune in a mixture of chicken stock, soy sauce, sake, curry powder, and honey. Once the meatballs are fully cooked, add in some diced potatoes and carrots and let it simmer until the vegetables are soft. Serve the curry over the cooked rice and enjoy a comforting and satisfying meal.
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Japanese Curry With Chicken
Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Carrots, Onions, Red
For a quick and easy noodle dish, you can also make a Japanese chicken udon using tsukune. To make this dish, cook udon noodles according to package instructions. In a separate pot, cook the tsukune in a mixture of chicken stock, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and dashi (Japanese soup stock). Once the meatballs are fully cooked, add in some sliced mushrooms and let it simmer for a few minutes. Serve the broth and toppings over the cooked noodles and top with some green onions and nori.
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Japanese Chicken Udon
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Chicken Broth, Water, Sugar
If you're a fan of soy sauce-based ramen, you can also make a delicious shoyu ramen with tsukune. To make this dish, cook some ramen noodles according to package instructions. In a separate pot, cook the tsukune in a mixture of chicken stock, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and fish sauce. Once the meatballs are fully cooked, add in some sliced mushrooms and let it simmer for a few minutes. Serve the broth and toppings over the cooked noodles and top with some green onions and nori.
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Shoyu Ramen
Main Ingredients: Dried Kombu, Cold Water, Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
With so many delicious ways to enjoy tsukune, it's no wonder it's such a popular dish in Japan. Whether you're grilling them on skewers, adding them to a comforting bowl of ramen, or using them in a flavorful curry, these Japanese-style chicken meatballs are sure to become a favorite in your household. So why not try making some tsukune at home and enjoy a taste of Japan in your own kitchen?
The Perfect Blend of Flavors
When it comes to Japanese cuisine, there is always a perfect balance of flavors – sweet, salty, sour, and umami. And this chicken meatball recipe is no exception. The combination of chicken, soy sauce, sake, and ginger creates a delicious umami flavor that will have your taste buds dancing. Umami, which translates to "pleasant savory taste" in Japanese, is often described as the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It adds a depth of flavor to dishes and is a key component of Japanese cooking.
The Secret Ingredient: Panko
One of the main ingredients in this Japanese chicken meatball recipe is panko, a type of Japanese breadcrumb that is coarser and lighter than traditional breadcrumbs. Panko is made from crustless bread and is known for its airy and crispy texture. It adds a light and crunchy coating to the meatballs, making them extra delicious. You can find panko in most grocery stores, or you can make your own by toasting and grinding bread until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Making the Perfect Meatball
To achieve the perfect texture for your meatballs, it's important to prepare the ground chicken properly. Make sure to thoroughly mix in minced garlic, scallions, and egg to the ground chicken to enhance the flavor and create a moist and tender texture. You can also add a bit of cornstarch to help bind the meatballs together and prevent them from falling apart while cooking.
A Versatile Dish
One of the great things about this Japanese chicken meatball recipe is its versatility. You can serve them as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, or you can include them in a main course by adding them to a bowl of ramen or serving them with rice and vegetables. You can also make them ahead of time and freeze them for a quick and easy meal option.
Now that you know the secret to making delicious Japanese chicken meatballs, it's time to put your culinary skills to the test. Impress your family and friends with this flavorful and unique dish that is sure to become a favorite. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients and start cooking!