18 Manju Japanese Sweets Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
Manju is a traditional Japanese confectionery that has been enjoyed for centuries. These delicate, bite-sized sweets are made with a soft, mochi-like outer layer and filled with a variety of sweet and savory fillings. While there are many variations of manju, the most popular and beloved recipe is the anko (red bean paste) manju. In this article, we will explore the history of manju, the ingredients and tools needed to make it, and a step-by-step guide to create your own delicious batch of manju.
Why stick to just beer when you can add some Japanese flavors to your beer can chicken? This recipe calls for a blend of seasonings including soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, giving the chicken a delicious Asian-inspired flavor. Serve it with some steamed rice and a side of Japanese style pancakes for a complete meal that will impress your family and friends.
Speaking of pancakes, why not try making them the Japanese way? These fluffy and savory pancakes are made with cabbage and green onions, and are commonly served with a tangy okonomiyaki sauce. They make for a great side dish to pair with your beer can chicken. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some cooked chicken to the pancake batter for a unique twist.
If you want to take your okonomiyaki game to the next level, try this recipe that combines it with beer can chicken. The chicken is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce before being cooked over the beer can. The end result is a juicy and flavorful chicken with a crispy skin, perfect for topping your okonomiyaki pancakes.
Now, this may sound like a strange combination, but trust us, it's delicious. This recipe uses a light and airy cotton cheesecake as the base for your beer can chicken. The chicken is seasoned with a mix of Japanese spices and cooked over the open can, infusing it with a unique flavor. The result is a tender and flavorful chicken with a crispy and golden-brown skin.
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Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
No meal is complete without a side of vegetables, and this Japanese cucumber salad is the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken. The cucumbers are marinated in a sweet and tangy dressing, making them refreshing and flavorful. They also provide a nice contrast to the rich and savory flavors of the chicken.
Ramen is a staple in Japanese cuisine, and it's no surprise that it pairs well with beer can chicken. This recipe calls for homemade ramen noodles, but you can also use store-bought if you're short on time. The chicken is cooked with a mix of Japanese spices and served over the ramen, along with a soft-boiled egg, making for a hearty and satisfying meal.
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Japanese Gyoza Dumplings
Main Ingredients: Napa Cabbage, Ground Pork, Garlic, Fresh Ginger
These gyoza dumplings are filled with a flavorful mixture of minced chicken, cabbage, and green onions. They are then pan-fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce. To make them even more special, you can add some shredded beer can chicken to the filling, giving them a unique and delicious twist.
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Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri
Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Umeboshi, Bonito Flakes, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Onigiri, or rice balls, are a popular snack in Japan, and they make a great side dish for your beer can chicken. These rice balls are filled with a tasty mixture of chicken, soy sauce, and sesame oil, giving them a savory and satisfying flavor. They also make for a great portable option if you want to take your beer can chicken on a picnic.
This hearty and comforting soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly evening. The udon noodles are cooked in a flavorful broth made with chicken stock, soy sauce, and Japanese spices. The beer can chicken is then shredded and added to the soup, making it a filling and delicious meal.
Eggplant is a popular vegetable in Japanese cuisine, and it makes a great side dish for beer can chicken. This recipe calls for grilling the eggplant and then topping it with a tangy and sweet miso glaze. It's a simple and tasty way to add some veggies to your meal.
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Japanese Soba Noodles With Peanut Sauce
Main Ingredients: Soba Noodles, Unsalted Roasted Peanuts, Sesame Oil
If you're a fan of peanut sauce, then you'll love this recipe for soba noodles. The noodles are coated in a rich and creamy sauce made with peanut butter, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The beer can chicken is then served on top, along with some Japanese cucumber salad for added freshness.
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Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken)
Main Ingredients: Skinless Chicken Thighs, Soy Sauce, Pure Maple Syrup
You can never have too much chicken, especially when it's cooked in a delicious yakitori sauce. This recipe calls for skewering the chicken and grilling it over an open flame, giving it a nice smoky flavor. The result is a flavorful and tender chicken that pairs perfectly with your beer can chicken.
Looking for a simple and tasty side dish? These zucchini slices are the perfect complement to your beer can chicken. They are lightly seasoned and grilled until tender and slightly charred. Serve them alongside your chicken for a well-rounded and delicious meal.
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Japanese Beef Steak
Main Ingredients: Garlic, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Sake, Water, New York Steaks
If you're in the mood for something a little heartier, try this recipe for Japanese beef steak. The steak is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, sake, and garlic and ginger before being grilled to perfection. Serve it alongside your beer can chicken for a surf-and-turf dinner that will impress.
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Katsudon Japanese Pork Cutlet and Egg Rice Bowl
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Chops, Salt, Pepper, Flour, Egg, Panko
This katsudon recipe combines two classic Japanese dishes: pork cutlet and egg rice bowl. The pork cutlets are coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crispy. They are then served over a bed of rice with a sweet and savory sauce and a soft-boiled egg. It's a delicious and satisfying meal that pairs well with beer can chicken.
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Japanese Sweet Potato Okonomiyaki
Main Ingredients: Plain Flour, Baking Powder, Vegetable Stock, Eggs, Soy
This unique okonomiyaki recipe is made with sweet potatoes, giving it a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. The sweet potatoes are grated and mixed with flour, eggs, and green onions before being cooked on a griddle. The end result is a crispy and flavorful pancake that pairs well with your beer can chicken.
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Japanese Yaki Udon For Beginners
Main Ingredients: Udon Noodles, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Rice Vinegar, Pepper
If you're new to Japanese cuisine, this yaki udon recipe is a great place to start. The udon noodles are stir-fried with a mix of vegetables and chicken, and then topped with a savory sauce made with soy sauce, sake, and mirin. It's a simple and tasty dish that you can easily make at home.
Japanese curry is a popular comfort food in Japan, and it's the perfect accompaniment to your beer can chicken. This recipe calls for a blend of aromatic spices and vegetables, giving it a rich and flavorful taste. Serve it over some rice and top it with your beer can chicken for a hearty and delicious meal.
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Japanese Ramen with Chicken
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Salt, Pepper, Unsalted Butter, Sesame
This ramen recipe is a great way to use up any leftover beer can chicken. The chicken is shredded and added to a rich and flavorful broth made with soy sauce, chicken stock, and aromatic spices. Add some fresh veggies and noodles, and you have a delicious and comforting meal ready to go.
Last but not least, we have another classic Japanese dish: tonkatsu. These crispy and tender pork cutlets are coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown. They are then served with a tangy tonkatsu sauce and a side of rice. It's a simple and tasty meal that pairs well with your beer can chicken.
The History of Manju
Manju has been a staple in Japanese cuisine since the 8th century, when it was introduced by Chinese Buddhist monks. Originally, manju was made with a dough consisting of wheat flour, rice powder, and water, and filled with sweetened azuki beans. Over time, the recipe evolved to include various fillings such as custard, sweet potato, and even savory options like meat and vegetables. Manju became a popular snack and dessert in Japan, and its popularity spread to other parts of Asia.
Ingredients and Tools
To make manju at home, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of glutinous rice flour
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 cup of anko (red bean paste)
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- Optional: food coloring for a pop of color
In addition to the ingredients, you will also need a steamer, parchment paper, and a round cookie cutter.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. In a small saucepan, mix together the glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water until it forms a smooth dough.
2. Divide the dough into small balls and flatten them into a disc shape.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the anko, cornstarch, and vegetable oil until it becomes a smooth paste.
4. Place a spoonful of the anko mixture in the center of each dough disc.
5. Fold the edges of the dough over the anko filling and pinch them together to seal.
6. Place the manju on parchment paper and steam for 10-15 minutes.
7. Once steamed, let the manju cool before serving.
Final Thoughts
Making manju at home may seem intimidating, but with the right ingredients and tools, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. Experiment with different fillings and colors to create your own unique version of this beloved Japanese sweet. Serve your homemade manju with a cup of green tea for the ultimate tea time treat. Enjoy!
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