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In Japan, people often eat hot food to keep their bodies warm during such cold weather. Hot udon and soba noodles are typical examples, but there is one food that is a staple of the Japanese diet at this time of year. stinks A large terracotta pot placed in the center of the dining table and hot dishes of nabe shared with family and friends are the usual way to spend the winter. Nabe dishes are well known as a standard winter dish in Japan, and many restaurants now offer them as well. Nabe dishes are very nutritious and comforting because they contain a variety of vegetables, meats, and seafood. In this article, we will introduce 10 nabe dishes that are commonly eaten in Japan.
1. Yosenabe
Yosenabe is a classic nabe dish made with vegetables, seafood, and other ingredients simmered in a refreshing Japanese dashi broth. The dish is completed with Chinese cabbage, Japanese leeks, and seafood simmered in a pot of kombu (kelp)-flavored dashi broth and dried bonito flakes. Simple ingredients and dashi broth allow you to taste the light dashi broth directly.
2. Chanko-nabe
Chanko nabé is a well-known nabe that sumo wrestlers eat daily to strengthen themselves. The flavor of chanko nabe varies from one sumo stable to another, with some adding their own secret seasonings and others carrying on traditional flavors. Ever since stock chanko nabe became available in supermarkets, it has become a common dish in Japanese homes. Chanko does not have a fixed flavor, but a variety of flavors such as soy sauce, salt, and miso. When cooked with vegetables, chicken, white fish, and other ingredients, chanko nabe is a nutritious dish that is sure to please every palate.
3.Mizutaki
mizutaki is such a famous nabe that it is listed as a staple dish in Fukuoka. Chicken bones are cut into pieces, put in a saucepan with water and simmer for a long time. Chicken bones release a good soup broth, which forms a cloudy white soup. Add cabbage, tofu and other ingredients and simmer for a long time to complete the dish. Mizutaki is usually served with ponzu (Japanese sauce made with ponzu citrus juice), which is very refreshing and gives the chicken a rich flavor.
4.Shabu Shabu
For shabu-shabu, fill a clay pot with water containing dried seaweed and bring to a boil, then add thinly sliced pork or beef and heat gently. Once cooked, mix it with ponzu and gomadare (sesame sauce) and enjoy. By boiling the meat to remove excess fat, the original flavor of the meat can be enjoyed. Finally, add the udon noodles and simmer until cooked. Then, season the soup with salt and pepper or Japanese bonito broth to taste. The soup is excellent with the meat flavor locked in!
5.Tonyu nabe
This soy milk-based nabe is especially recommended for those looking to improve their skin and stomach conditions. Since soymilk alone has a very light flavor, it is often combined with kombu dashi or Japanese bonito broth to bring out the best flavor. Vegetables, fish, meat and of course gyoza (dumplings) are often added. The taste of vegetables fully absorbed by the sweetness and the taste of soy milk will relax you.
6.Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is a dish consisting of meat, grilled tofu, shirataki, shiitake mushrooms, and leeks cooked together and simmered in soy sauce and a sugar-based sauce with an irresistible sweet and salty flavor. After the ingredients are cooked, they are often dipped into a beaten raw egg and eaten. In Japan, sukiyaki is known as a standard festive dish and is often eaten during celebrations and happy occasions. There are many restaurants specialized in making sukiyaki in Japan, so it is recommended to try the specialty of these restaurants.
7.Yudofu
Yudofu is a nabe dish recommended for vegetarians and vegans as it is said to have originated near the Nanzenji temple in Kyoto and does not contain meat or fish. Yudōfu is based on the Buddhist concept of “Shojin ryori”, which is to abstain from eating meat and fish. Tofu, the main ingredient, is placed in a pot of water and boiled. This is the ultimate simple nabe dish served with ponzu. The sweetness of the tofu and the flavor of the ponzu work in perfect harmony.
One of the most beautiful pots in Japan is the millefeuille pot. Originally, millefeuille is a delicious French cake made of layers of dough and custard. The Japanese nabe yarrow was inspired by this appearance. The preparation is completed by filling the pot with alternating layers of bok choy and pork belly, and adding just the right amount of granulated Japanese dashi stock. It is not necessary to add a lot of water, because the Chinese cabbage provides enough water. The richness of the pork belly and the flavor of the Chinese cabbage make a wonderful combination.
9. Oden
Oden, often sold at food stalls and convenience stores, is a classic Japanese winter nabe dish. It is a dish in which fish paste, daikon radish, and potatoes are added to a seaweed-based dashi broth and simmered slowly over low heat to infuse them with flavor. Standard oden ingredients include daikon radish, hanpen, chikuwabu, ganmodoki, and many more. Oden and sake go very well together, and the sweet taste of oden broth will fill your mouth with flavor.
10. Kimchi nabe
Last on the list is kimchi nabe. Kimchi nabe is a pot made with kimchi, a typical Korean spicy pickle, and is widely eaten in Korea. In Japan, kimchi nabe broth is sold and simmered with Chinese cabbage, Japanese leek, chives, etc., as well as cod and pork belly. The spiciness of the broth makes it a delicious fondue that quickly warms up a cold body.
We’ve featured 10 nabe dishes commonly eaten in Japan, but we hope there’s something you’d like to try! If you have a large pot, a portable stove, and the ingredients for a nabe dish, you can enjoy it anytime. This ease of preparation is one of the reasons nabe dishes are so popular in Japan. The delicious broth that melts the flavor of vegetables and meat makes it one of the best soups in the world. Of course, the best way to end a meal is to add rice or udon noodles to the nabe. It would be a great loss if you don’t savor the flavor of the rice and udon noodles that have absorbed the rich dashi broth. This winter, let’s beat the biting cold by eating nutritious nabe!
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Japan Merveille Voyage is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.
From private walking tours to delicious food tours, we can help you put together the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and stories of each region you visit, our knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking guides will be happy to take you to the best places!
Also, we can provide any assistance you may need for your next trip to Japan, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need help!
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