18 Japanese Recipe With Dashi Delight In These Amazing Recipes!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, then you must have heard of dashi. This versatile and flavorful broth is the foundation of many popular Japanese dishes, and it's a staple in every Japanese household. Made from just three simple ingredients - kombu, bonito flakes, and water - dashi packs a punch of umami flavor that elevates any dish it's added to. In this article, we'll explore the world of dashi and share a delicious and authentic Japanese recipe that showcases its unique taste. So, let's dive in and learn how to make a mouth-watering Japanese dish with dashi!
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Chops, Salt, Pepper, Flour, Egg, Panko
Katsudon is a popular Japanese dish that combines crispy pork cutlet with fluffy rice and a sweet and savory sauce. To make this dish, start by coating pork cutlets in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs before frying them to golden perfection. Then, mix together soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to create the flavorful sauce. Serve the pork cutlet on top of a bed of steamed rice and pour the sauce over the top. Finally, top it off with a soft-boiled egg and some green onions for a delicious and filling meal.
2of 20
Gyudon (Japanese Beef & Rice Bowls)
Main Ingredients: Neutral Oil, Onions, Beef, Sugar, Mirin, Soy Sauce
Gyudon is a popular Japanese fast food dish that consists of thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a sweet and savory broth and served over a bowl of steamed rice. To make this dish, start by cooking the beef and onions in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sake. Then, add in some sugar and dashi (Japanese soup stock) to enhance the flavors. Simmer until the beef is tender and the onions are caramelized. Serve the beef and onion mixture over a bowl of steamed rice and top with some pickled red ginger for an extra kick of flavor.
Japanese omelette, also known as tamagoyaki, is a sweet and savory rolled omelette that is a staple in Japanese cuisine. To make this dish, start by beating together eggs, soy sauce, and sugar. Then, pour a thin layer of egg mixture into a heated pan and roll it up as it cooks. Repeat this process until all of the egg mixture is used up. Once cooked, slice the omelette into bite-sized pieces and serve with a sprinkle of bonito flakes and a drizzle of soy sauce for a delicious and protein-packed breakfast or side dish.
Kakuni is a traditional Japanese dish that consists of pork belly simmered in a flavorful broth until it becomes tender and melts in your mouth. To make this dish, start by searing the pork belly in a pan until it is golden brown on all sides. Then, add in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar to create a flavorful broth for the pork to cook in. Let it simmer for a few hours until the pork is fall-apart tender. Serve the kakuni over a bed of steamed rice and enjoy the rich and savory flavors.
5of 20
Okonomiyaki (Savory Japanese Pancake)
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Corn Starch, Baking Powder, Salt
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that is filled with a variety of ingredients such as shredded cabbage, scallions, tempura bits, and meat. To make this dish, mix together a batter of flour, eggs, and dashi and mix in your desired fillings. Cook the pancake on a griddle until it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Top it off with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes for a delicious and hearty meal.
6of 20
Japanese Soy Marinated Soft Boiled Eggs
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Sake, Sugar, Eggs
Soft boiled eggs marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and bonito flakes are a popular topping for many Japanese dishes. To make this dish, start by boiling eggs until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. Then, peel the eggs and place them in a marinade made of soy sauce, mirin, and bonito flakes for at least a few hours. The longer they marinate, the more flavorful they will be. These eggs make a great topping for ramen, rice bowls, or eaten on their own as a protein-rich snack.
7of 20
Japanese Style Egg Drop Soup (Kakitama-jiru)
Main Ingredients: Dashi Stock, Light Soy Sauce, Salt, Cornflour, Egg
Kakitama-jiru is a simple and comforting Japanese soup that is made with a dashi broth, egg, and green onions. To make this soup, start by heating up a dashi broth and bringing it to a simmer. Then, slowly pour in beaten eggs while stirring the broth to create ribbons of egg. Once the egg is cooked, add in some green onions and season with soy sauce and mirin to taste. This soup is perfect for cold days or when you're feeling under the weather.
Nikujaga is a hearty Japanese stew made with thinly sliced beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions simmered in a flavorful broth. To make this dish, start by browning the beef in a pan before adding in the vegetables and dashi broth. Let it simmer until the vegetables are tender and the broth has thickened. Season with soy sauce and sugar to taste. Serve this stew over a bowl of steamed rice for a filling and warming meal.
9of 20
Toshikoshi Soba (Japanese New Year Soba)
Main Ingredients: Soba, Dashi, Mirin, Granulated Sugar, Soy Sauce, Nori
Toshikoshi soba is a traditional Japanese dish eaten on New Year's Eve to bring good luck and longevity in the upcoming year. To make this dish, boil soba noodles and mix them with bonito flakes, soy sauce, mirin, and green onions. You can also add in other ingredients such as mushrooms or tempura to make it more filling. This dish is usually served cold and is a great way to celebrate the New Year in Japanese style.
10of 20
Oyakodon
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Sugar, Sake, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Onion, Chicken
Oyakodon is a simple and delicious Japanese dish that consists of chicken and egg simmered in a sweet and savory broth and served over a bowl of steamed rice. To make this dish, start by cooking the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Once the chicken is cooked, pour in beaten eggs and let them cook until they are set. Serve the chicken and egg mixture over a bowl of rice and top with green onions for a quick and satisfying meal.
11of 20
Sukiyaki (Japanese Beef Hot Pot)
Main Ingredients: Shitake Mushrooms, Shirataki Noodles, Firm Tofu, Onion
Sukiyaki is a popular Japanese hot pot dish that is perfect for sharing with friends and family. To make this dish, start by heating up a sukiyaki pot and cooking thinly sliced beef and vegetables in a flavorful broth made with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Once the ingredients are cooked, dip them into a beaten egg mixture and enjoy the rich and savory flavors. This dish is perfect for cold winter nights and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
12of 20
Sukiyaki - A Japanese One Pot Meal
Main Ingredients: Sake, Mirin, Brown Sugar, Soy Sauce, Firm Tofu
Sukiyaki is a traditional Japanese one-pot meal that is perfect for cold nights or when you're craving a comforting and satisfying dish. To make this dish, start by cooking thinly sliced beef and vegetables in a broth made of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Once the ingredients are cooked, dip them in beaten egg and enjoy the rich and savory flavors. This dish is perfect for sharing and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
13of 20
Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken & Egg Rice Bowl) & Video
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thigh, Onion, Mitsuba, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Sake
Oyakodon is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is a popular lunch or dinner option for many. To make this dish, start by cooking chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Then, add in beaten eggs and let them cook until they are set. Serve the chicken and egg mixture over a bowl of steamed rice and top with green onions and a drizzle of soy sauce. Check out our video for a step-by-step guide on how to make this delicious and comforting dish.
14of 20
Japanese Donabe Clay Pot Seafood Soup
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Mirin, Low Sodium Soy Sauce, Scallions, Ice
Donabe clay pot seafood soup is a flavorful and comforting dish that is perfect for seafood lovers. To make this dish, start by cooking an assortment of seafood such as shrimp, mussels, and clams in a clay pot filled with a mixture of broth, soy sauce, and sake. Once the seafood is cooked, add in vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms to simmer in the broth. Serve this soup with a side of steamed rice for a filling and flavorful meal.
Japanese rolled omelette, also known as tamagoyaki, is a delicious and visually appealing dish that is perfect for breakfast or a side dish. To make this dish, start by beating together eggs, soy sauce, and sugar. Pour a thin layer of the egg mixture into a heated pan and roll it up as it cooks. Repeat this process until all of the egg mixture is used up. Slice the omelette into bite-sized pieces and serve with a sprinkle of bonito flakes and a drizzle of soy sauce for a tasty and protein-packed meal.
Miso soup is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is served with almost every meal. To make this soup, start by heating up a dashi broth and adding in miso paste. You can also add in tofu, seafood, or vegetables to make it more filling. Serve this soup as a side dish or enjoy it on its own for a light and comforting meal.
Miso soup is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is served with almost every meal. To make this soup, start by heating up a dashi broth and adding in miso paste. You can also add in tofu, seafood, or vegetables to make it more filling. Serve this soup as a side dish or enjoy it on its own for a light and comforting meal.
18of 20
Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken & Egg Rice Bowls)
Main Ingredients: Dashi Stock, Soy Sauce, Mirin, Sugar, Chicken Thighs
Oyakodon is a classic Japanese dish that is quick and easy to make and packed with flavor. To make this dish, start by cooking chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Then, add in beaten eggs and let them cook until they are set. Serve the chicken and egg mixture over a bowl of steamed rice and top with green onions for a filling and satisfying meal.
19of 20
Tempura
Main Ingredients: Flour, Cornstarch, Cold Water, Baking Powder, Salt
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish that consists of lightly battered and deep-fried seafood, vegetables, or meat. To make this dish, start by dipping your desired ingredient in a batter made of flour, cornstarch, egg, and ice-cold water. Then, fry the ingredient in hot oil until it is crispy and golden brown. Serve with a side of tempura dipping sauce for a delicious and satisfying meal.
20of 20
Japanese Style Broast Duck
Main Ingredients: Dashi, Ginger, Mirin, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Kosher Salt
Japanese style broast duck is a flavorful and tender dish that is perfect for special occasions or when you're craving something a little different. To make this dish, start by marinating the duck in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar for a few hours. Then, roast the duck in the oven until it is cooked through and the skin is crispy. Serve with a side of steamed rice and some vegetables for a complete and delicious meal.
What is Dashi?
Dashi is a traditional Japanese broth that serves as the base for many iconic dishes such as ramen, udon, and miso soup. It is known for its rich umami flavor, which comes from the combination of two key ingredients - kombu and bonito flakes. Kombu is a type of edible kelp that is rich in glutamic acid, which is responsible for the savory taste or umami. Bonito flakes, on the other hand, are thin shavings of dried and fermented skipjack tuna, which adds a smoky and fishy flavor to the broth. The third ingredient, water, acts as a neutral base and helps extract the flavors from the kombu and bonito flakes. Dashi is a crucial element in Japanese cuisine, and it's often referred to as the "soul" of Japanese cooking.
The Different Types of Dashi
There are several variations of dashi, each with its unique flavor profile. The most commonly used types are ichiban dashi and niban dashi. Ichiban dashi, also known as first dashi, is made by steeping kombu and bonito flakes in water for a short period, resulting in a light and delicate broth. Niban dashi, or second dashi, is made by reusing the kombu and bonito flakes used to make the first dashi, resulting in a more robust and flavorful broth. Other variations include shiitake dashi, which uses dried shiitake mushrooms, and iriko dashi, which uses dried anchovies. Each type of dashi has its unique characteristics and is used in different dishes.
Recipe: Dashi-based Japanese Clam Chowder
Now that we know what dashi is let's put it into action by making a delicious Japanese clam chowder. This hearty and comforting soup is a fusion of Japanese and Western flavors, making it a perfect introduction to the world of dashi for Western palates. Here's what you'll need:
1 cup of dried kombu
1 cup of dried bonito flakes
4 cups of water
1 tablespoon of butter
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of diced potatoes
1 cup of corn kernels
1 cup of fresh clams
1 cup of whole milk
Salt and pepper to taste
To make the dashi, place the kombu in a pot with 4 cups of water and let it soak for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, bring the water to a boil, then remove the kombu. Add the bonito flakes and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the broth and set it aside. In a separate pot, melt the butter and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the diced potatoes and corn, and sauté for an additional 5 minutes. Add the clams and cook until they open. Pour in the dashi broth and bring it to a boil. Finally, add the milk and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, and your Japanese clam chowder is ready to be served. This recipe serves 4 people and can be enjoyed as a light meal or paired with rice for a heartier dish.
In Conclusion
Dashi is an essential element in Japanese cuisine, and it's easy to see why. Its umami-packed flavor adds depth and complexity to dishes, making them truly delicious. So, the next time you're craving Japanese food, give this dashi-based clam chowder a try, and experience the magic of dashi yourself!