Mao Goto is a Japanese freelancer who was born in Hayama, Kanagawa prefecture, and raised in Tokyo. Since 2016 she lives in the Taito Ward, home to a lot of Japanese culture hotspots such as Asakusa, Akihabara, and Ueno. She has been interested in the field of English education in Japan and got her Master’s degree in March 2020. A lover of photography, travel, sweets, and cross-stitch. Contact her via Facebook.
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A Japanese home party is a wonderful opportunity to experience Japan at its best through food, culture, and interaction with its people. Japan’s culinary culture is held in high esteem around the world, and its diversity and subtlety have been passed down for generations. At a home party, you can enjoy the authentic flavors of Japanese home cooking and dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The menu ranges from traditional oden and yakitori to modern sushi and creative fusion dishes. You will be able to experience Japanese culture and customs while having a memorable time with family and friends. In this article, we will introduce 10 essential dishes for Japanese home parties.
1. Takoyaki
A specialty dish originating in Osaka, takoyaki is a luxurious dish consisting of a flour dough baked into a sphere 3-5 cm in diameter and stuffed with octopus and condiments. A sweeter sauce flavor is the most common, but there are many variations using other ingredients such as cheese and cod roe. In Osaka, specialized takoyaki stores are scattered throughout the city, making takoyaki a familiar soul food for the locals. It can be enjoyed with a variety of condiments such as ponzu (Japanese citrus juice) or soy sauce.
2. Gyoza
Gyoza is a flavorful dish consisting of a dumpling folded inward at both ends and wrapped in a half-moon shape with a meat filling in between. The dumpling is typically made with ground pork, cabbage, chives, and garlic. This combination of ingredients creates an exquisite flavor. Gyoza is known as a nutritious dish because it provides a good balance of carbohydrates, vitamins, and protein from the combination of vegetables and meat. It is popular due to being an easy and nutritious dish to make, as well as being a very unique flavor that can easily change to incorporate different ingredients and flavors.
3. Nabe
Nabe is a traditional Japanese dish in which a variety of ingredients are stewed in a single pot. The combination of ingredients, preparation, and the order in which they are added are carefully considered to maximize the flavor and texture of the ingredients. There are many varieties, including sukiyaki, chanko, and kimchi chige nabe, perfect for enjoying with family and friends. On a cold winter day, spend a heart-warming time around a hot nabe, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
4. Yakiniku
Yakiniku is a type of barbecue in which various parts of meat are grilled on a net and dipped in sauce or lemon juice. It is believed that yakiniku began in Japan’s postwar period when, because of food shortages, Koreans living in Japan offered the unused parts of cattle that would normally be discarded. Various types of meat can be enjoyed such as tongue, ribs, and loin. Enjoying yakiniku in Japan is a wonderful adventure into the world of delicious meat like wagyu. The blissful experience of grilling up a wide variety of meats and dipping them in delicious sauce is the best part.
5. Korean BBQ
Korean yakiniku, which has become Japan’s yakiniku, is also a great choice for home parties. You can enjoy grilling various types of meat, such as samgyeopsal and takkarbi. In Korean-style yakiniku, vegetables are usually wrapped with the meat. It is wrapped in lettuce or sunchu and enjoyed with special sauce, garlic, and rice. Shin-Okubo, known as Tokyo’s Korean Town, has a concentration of restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Korean yakiniku. If you want to enjoy the authentic taste of Korea, please visit Shin-Okubo!
6. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a dish made of flour, egg, and water, mixed with shredded cabbage, and cooked on a griddle. It is a Japanese dish that is attracting attention overseas, and is even being considered as a candidate for the centerpiece of the food to be served at the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025. Grilling it with people around you on a hot plate is sure to be a lot of fun! Everyone can enjoy the hot okonomiyaki while choosing their favorite toppings!
7. Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is a distinctive Japanese hot pot dish where thin slices of beef are cooked in a shallow iron pot. It is characterized by a sweet and sour taste with a good balance of sugar and soy sauce. In addition to beef and beaten egg, side ingredients such as green onions, mushrooms, tofu, and shiitake mushrooms are added. The cooking method differs between Kansai and Kanto. In the Kansai region, the beef is first cooked and then the vegetables are added, whereas in the Kanto region, the meat and vegetables are usually simmered together in a warishita (a sauce for sukiyaki nabe). It is a sumptuous Japanese feast that is enjoyed with the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Enjoy the delicious taste of sukiyaki to your heart’s content with family and friends!
8. Shabushabu
Shabu-shabu is a Japanese nabe dish in which ingredients are dipped into broth simmering in a pot, heated, and served with sauce. Generally, ponzu (Japanese citrus juice) and sesame sauce are used. Beef used to be the main ingredient, but recently pork, chicken, and seafood such as yellowtail are also used. Ingredients such as tofu, cabbage, and green onions are usually served together. It is characterized by a combination of elegant flavors and healthy ingredients that bring out the best in the ingredients. Enjoying shabu-shabu in a pot is sure to satisfy both body and soul!
9. Temakizushi
Temakizushi is a delightful dish consisting of sushi rice and ingredients rolled up in a sheet of nori seaweed. Ingredients include tuna, salmon, yellowtail, squid, amaebi (sweet shrimp), and other seafood, as well as thick-boiled eggs and cucumbers. The colorful ingredients are a great addition to a table, making it a great choice for parties. The process of creating the roll and eating it gives you a tasteful excitement with each bite. A Temakizushi party is a great way to enjoy time with family and friends.
10. Yakitori
Yakitori refers to the meat and organs of livestock products such as chicken, pork, and beef, which are processed to an edible size, seasoned with salt or sauce, skewered, and grilled. The most common types of meat are chicken breast, dumpling meat, chicken tail, and negima (thigh meat and green onion). Shichimi (seven spice) chili peppers are sometimes used as a condiment, giving it a tangy and spicy flavor. Yakitori is popular in Japanese yatai (street stalls) and izakaya (Japanese style pubs), and its aromatic flavor and unique texture make it a fascinating grilled dish in Japan.
In this article, we introduced the 10 Best Foods for Home Parties in Japan, but were there any dishes you would like to try? Recreating a dish at home using Japanese ingredients and seasonings can be a wonderful experience. Japanese food culture is full of endless possibilities. Enjoy your home party with others while savoring the diversity and uniqueness of Japanese cuisine!
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