Japanese Cookbook日本の台所 · The Japanese Kitchen

章 · Chapter 1

Foundations基本

Dashi, rice, miso — the quiet trio underneath every other page on this site.

Everyday Miso Soup基本

Foundations · 15 min · Beginner

Everyday Miso Soup味噌汁

Tofu-and-wakame miso soup built on real dashi — with the one rule that separates good miso soup from great, and why the miso goes in last.

Dashimaki Tamago基本

Foundations · 20 min · Intermediate

Dashimaki Tamagoだし巻き卵

Kyoto's rolled omelet saturated with awase dashi — barely sweet, quivering, poured and rolled in rhythm. The foundation skill of the Kansai kitchen.

Awase Dashi, the Proper Way基本

Foundations · 25 min · Beginner

Awase Dashi, the Proper Way合わせ出汁

The kombu-and-katsuobushi stock underneath nearly all Japanese cooking, made properly in twenty-five minutes — and why it refuses to be rushed.

Shibazuke Quick Pickles基本

Foundations · 20 min · Beginner

Shibazuke Quick Pickles柴漬け

Ōhara's violet eggplant-and-shiso pickle from north Kyoto — a fast vinegar version for tonight, plus the honest path to a true lactic ferment.

Hōba Miso基本

Foundations · 22 min · Beginner

Hōba Miso朴葉味噌

Takayama's hearth dish — sweet-savory miso grilled directly on a dried magnolia leaf with negi and mushrooms until it caramelizes and perfumes the rice.

Lake Shinji Shijimi Soup基本

Foundations · 30 min · Beginner

Lake Shinji Shijimi Soupしじみ汁

Matsue's shijimi miso soup — tiny brackish clams from Lake Shinji, one of the city's seven Edo-era delicacies, purged and simmered for enormous quiet umami.

Yamagata Dashi基本

Foundations · 25 min · Beginner

Yamagata Dashi山形のだし

Yamagata's chopped summer relish of cucumber, eggplant, myoga and shiso — a cold, savory pile spooned over rice or tofu. Not stock; a knife-work dish.