19 Japanese Summer Dishes Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
When it comes to Japanese cuisine, most people think of sushi, ramen, and other savory dishes. However, Japan has a rich tradition of summer dishes that are both delicious and refreshing. These dishes are perfect for combating the hot and humid weather that is characteristic of Japan's summers. In this article, we will explore some traditional and easy-to-make Japanese summer dishes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds and cool you down.
Japanese Pork Katsu is a popular dish in Japan and is loved for its crispy exterior and juicy interior. It is made by coating pork cutlets in panko breadcrumbs and frying them until golden brown. The dish is usually served with a side of katsu sauce, which is a sweet and tangy sauce made from Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. This dish is perfect for any occasion and is a must-try for any fan of Japanese cuisine.
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Japanese Summer Vegetable Miso Soup
Main Ingredients: Zucchini, Eggplant, Tomato, Dashi Powder, Miso Paste
In Japan, Miso soup is a staple in most households and is enjoyed year-round. During the summer, the soup is made with fresh summer vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, and green beans. The broth is made from miso paste, which is a fermented soybean paste that adds a rich and savory flavor to the soup. This soup is light, healthy, and perfect for a hot summer day.
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Japanese Restaurant-style Salad
Main Ingredients: Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion, Chicken
Japanese salads are known for their fresh and colorful ingredients, making them a perfect complement to any meal. The salad typically includes a variety of vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and radish, topped with a sesame dressing. This dressing is made from sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce, giving it a nutty and tangy flavor. It's a simple yet delicious dish that is sure to impress.
Japanese pancakes, also known as hotcakes, are fluffy and thick, making them a favorite breakfast food in Japan. The secret to their fluffy texture is separating the egg whites from the yolks and whisking them separately before combining them with the rest of the batter. These pancakes are typically served with kinako powder, a roasted soybean flour, and maple syrup, giving them a unique and delicious flavor.
Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake made with shredded cabbage, flour, eggs, and a variety of toppings such as pork belly, shrimp, or squid. The name okonomiyaki translates to "grilled as you like it," as you can choose your favorite ingredients to top the pancake with. It is often served with a special okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes, giving it a unique and delicious flavor.
Japanese cotton cheesecake, also known as souffle cheesecake, is a light and airy dessert that is popular in Japan. It is made with cream cheese, eggs, and a touch of flour, giving it a fluffy and delicate texture. This cheesecake is often served with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh fruit, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion.
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Summer Vegetable Hiyashi Chuka with Fresh Ramen...
Main Ingredients: Rice Vinegar, Scallions, Eggs, Soy Sauce, Ear Of Corn
Hiyashi Chuka is a cold noodle dish that is popular during the summer in Japan. It is made with fresh ramen noodles, topped with a variety of vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, and edamame, and dressed with a sweet and tangy sauce. It's a refreshing and light dish that is perfect for a hot summer day.
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Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
Sunomono is a type of Japanese salad made with thinly sliced cucumbers and dressed with a rice vinegar and sugar mixture. This dish is light, refreshing, and has a subtle sweet and sour flavor. It is often served as a side dish or as a topping for sushi, making it a versatile and delicious addition to any meal.
Ramen is a popular Japanese noodle dish that has gained popularity worldwide. It is made with thin wheat noodles, served in a savory broth, and topped with a variety of ingredients such as pork belly, soft boiled egg, and green onions. The broth can be made with a variety of flavors, such as miso, soy, or tonkotsu, making it a versatile and delicious dish.
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Japanese Gyoza Dumplings
Main Ingredients: Napa Cabbage, Ground Pork, Garlic, Fresh Ginger
Gyoza dumplings are a popular dish in Japan and are often served as an appetizer or side dish. The dumplings are filled with a mixture of ground pork, cabbage, and other seasonings, and then pan-fried until crispy. They are usually served with a soy dipping sauce, making them a tasty and addictive snack.
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Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri
Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Umeboshi, Bonito Flakes, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Onigiri, also known as Japanese rice balls, are a staple in Japanese cuisine. They are made by shaping rice into a triangle or oval shape and filling it with various ingredients such as bonito flakes, pickled plums, or salmon. These rice balls are perfect for a quick and portable snack or as a side dish for any meal.
Udon is a type of thick wheat noodle that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. This noodle is often served in a savory broth with a variety of toppings such as tempura, fried tofu, and nori seaweed. The broth is typically made from a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and bonito flakes, giving it a rich and delicious flavor.
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Japanese-Style Quick-Pickled Slaw
Main Ingredients: Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce, Golden Brown
This Japanese-style slaw is a quick and easy side dish that is perfect for any meal. The slaw is made with thinly sliced cabbage, carrots, and radish, and dressed with a mixture of rice vinegar, mirin, and soy sauce. This slaw adds a refreshing and tangy flavor to any dish and is a staple in Japanese home cooking.
Japanese eggplant, also known as nasu, is a staple in Japanese cuisine and is often used in various dishes. The eggplant is typically grilled or pan-fried and served with a miso glaze, giving it a sweet and savory flavor. It can also be used in stews, stir-fries, or as a topping for noodles, making it a versatile and tasty ingredient.
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Japanese Soba Noodles With Peanut Sauce
Main Ingredients: Soba Noodles, Unsalted Roasted Peanuts, Sesame Oil
Soba noodles are a type of thin buckwheat noodle that is popular in Japan. This dish combines the noodles with a delicious peanut sauce, making it a unique and flavorful dish. The sauce is made with a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and peanut butter, giving it a rich and nutty flavor. This dish is perfect for any peanut lover.
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Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken)
Main Ingredients: Skinless Chicken Thighs, Soy Sauce, Pure Maple Syrup
Yakitori is a popular street food in Japan and is made by grilling skewered chicken meat over charcoal. The chicken is usually marinated in a teriyaki sauce, giving it a delicious sweet and savory flavor. It is often served with shichimi pepper or wasabi for an extra kick of flavor.
Japanese zucchini, also known as hakusai, is a type of summer squash that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It is often stir-fried with other vegetables such as carrots and mushrooms and seasoned with a soy sauce and mirin mixture. This dish is light, healthy, and a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.
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Japanese Beef Steak
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Sake, Water, New York Steaks
Japanese beef, also known as gyuniku, is highly regarded for its marbling and tenderness. A popular way to enjoy this meat is by grilling it as a steak and serving it with a teriyaki or garlic sauce. The steak is typically served with a side of rice and misoshiru, giving you a complete and delicious meal.
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Katsudon Japanese Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Chops, Salt, Pepper, Flour, Egg, Panko
Katsudon is a popular Japanese rice bowl dish that consists of a katsu (pork cutlet) and onion and egg mixture served over a bowl of rice. The dish is typically seasoned with a soy and mirin sauce and topped with green onions. This dish is hearty, flavorful, and a favorite among many Japanese food lovers.
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Japanese Sweet Potato Okonomiyaki
Main Ingredients: Plain Flour, Baking Powder, Vegetable Stock, Eggs, Soy
Sweet potatoes are a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and this dish combines them with the flavors of okonomiyaki to create a unique and delicious dish. The sweet potatoes are grated and mixed with flour, eggs, and cabbage before being pan-fried and topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. It's a sweet and savory dish that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Refreshing Cold Soba Noodles
Ingredients:
1 pound of soba noodles
4 cups of water
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 tablespoons of mirin
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of grated ginger
1 cup of chopped green onions
1 cup of shredded nori seaweed
One of the most popular Japanese summer dishes is the cold soba noodle salad. This dish consists of thin buckwheat noodles served cold with a variety of toppings and dipping sauce. To make this dish, start by bringing 4 cups of water to a boil and cooking 1 pound of soba noodles for about 5 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch. In a separate bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of mirin, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger to create the dipping sauce. Serve the noodles in a bowl, topped with chopped green onions and shredded nori seaweed, and use the dipping sauce to add flavor as desired.
Gazpacho - A Japanese Twist on a Spanish Classic
Ingredients:
4 large ripe tomatoes
1 cucumber
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 small onion
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
1 teaspoon of soy sauce
1 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
For a refreshing and healthy summer dish, try making a Japanese-style gazpacho soup. This cold soup originated in Spain, but the addition of soy sauce and rice vinegar gives it a unique Japanese twist. To make this dish, start by blending 4 large ripe tomatoes, 1 peeled and chopped cucumber, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 chopped green bell pepper, 1 small chopped onion, and 2 cloves of garlic in a food processor until smooth. Then, add 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper and blend until combined. Chill the soup in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Grilled Miso Eggplant
Ingredients:
4 Japanese eggplants
1/4 cup of miso paste
2 tablespoons of sake
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 tablespoon of mirin
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Another traditional Japanese summer dish is grilled miso eggplant. This dish is both simple and delicious, making it a perfect addition to any summer meal. To make this dish, start by slicing 4 Japanese eggplants in half lengthwise. In a bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of miso paste, 2 tablespoons of sake, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of mirin to create a marinade. Brush the marinade onto the eggplant and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and brush with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Grill the eggplant for about 5 minutes on each side until tender and lightly charred. Serve as a side dish or on top of rice for a flavorful and filling meal.
In conclusion, these Japanese summer dishes are not only delicious but also a great way to beat the heat. Try these recipes for yourself and experience the unique flavors of Japan's summer cuisine. Whether you are looking for something refreshing, healthy, or traditional, these dishes are sure to please your taste buds and keep you cool all summer long.
