Dinner

Miso Marinade

A jar of Miso marinade with a spoon scooping it out.

This 3 ingredient Miso Marinade is super easy to make. All you have to do is mix together miso, sake, and mirin. That’s it! Pour it over your favourite protein and let it work its magic. My Obachan gave me a traditional Japanese cookbook which has a load of yummy recipes – one being a miso marinade. Feeling inspired – I tested a bunch of different recipes and settled on this one, which I love. My favourite way to use this is with chicken thighs, marinated for 24 hours and grilled in a hot pan. It’s soo good and great for when I want something tasty but easy.  Why This Recipe Works There are two main reasons this recipe works so well. Firstly, the alcohol in the mirin and sake do a great job at tenderising protein and results in super juicy meat.  Also – sake, mirin and miso all have that famous umami flavour. All these ingredients contain koji, which is a fermented/inoculated grain, usually rice. All these condiments all go through further fermentation processes, meaning they develop more of that umami flavour.  I’m quite wary of using the word umami – I think its misused a lot as a buzz-word. However, in the instance of this recipe, it is necessary. At the risk of sounding cringe – one could say it’s an umami bomb.  Miso Marinade Ingredients  If you want to dive deeper into these ingredients, check out this post on 5 essential Japanese ingredients.  4 Tips for Using Miso Marinade Miso Marinade Ideas I love to marinate all kinds of things and eat them with rice, as part of a salad, or as a side dish. I like to make a jar of it and keep it int he fridge for those nights when I know I need a quick but tasty dinner.  Here are some of my favourite things to marinade:

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Ochazuke

A bowl of Ochazuke (Green tea and rice)

Ochazuke is a simple Japanese dish which is usually made with fragrant green tea, rice, salted salmon, fresh spring onions, and nori, but it’s very customisable. It’s light, bright, and very easy to put together! I love Ochazuke. I work a remotely, 9-5, so I have full access to my kitchen at all times – dangerous. When I’m feeling an afternoon slump coming on, I know what I’m making for lunch.  The caffeine in the green tea is great if you need a little pick me up and, as long as you have rice prepared, it’ll come together in about 15 minutes. The perfect WFH meal, right? What is Ochazuke? Ocha means “tea” and zuke is “submerged”. So Ochazuke kinda means “submerged in tea” but you can also make it with dashi stock, or my favourite – both!  Ochazuke is very versatile can be enjoyed as a light meal or a snack. It’s a great way to use up leftovers too.  Frequently Asked Questions  Ochazuke Toppings  You can add anything you like to Ochazuke, here are some of my favourite variations: How to make Ochazuke  Want More Easy Japanese Recipes? Japanese home cooking can be surprisingly easy. Check out my recipe for juicy Miso Chicken Thighs or this flavourful Shogayaki (Japanese Ginger Pork).

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Miso Chicken Thighs

A bowl of miso chicken thighs chopped up with some smashed cucumbers, all on top of some white rice.

These golden Miso Chicken thighs only require 4 ingredients which makes it veeeery easy to make. The sake and mirin tenderise the chicken thighs which makes it plump and juicy, whilst the miso adds an addictively savoury punch.  This recipe is inspired by one I found in an old cookbook that my Bachan gave me. I tried and tested a few variations and settled on this version which I think brings out the miso flavour really well.  I wasn’t a fan of miso based dishes before I went backpacking in Japan, other than miso soup. Many miso dishes later – I absolutely love it. If I had these miso chicken thighs earlier, I think I would’ve instantly been a miso fan! What are Miso Chicken Thighs? These miso chicken thighs is a super easy Japanese recipe where the chicken is marinaded in sake, mirin and of course – miso. I’ve used white miso in this recipe but you can also use red miso which will give the marinade a stronger and earthier flavour. Miso has a very delicate flavour and will become bitter if you overcook it. To avoid this you need to scrape off the marinade before frying – I know it feels counterproductive but it genuinely gives the chicken a cleaner and brighter miso flavour. What to serve with Miso Chicken Thighs? These miso chicken thighs are great in so many different dishes – salads, sandwiches, rice bowls, stir fries, noodles, bao, or even as a snack! If you’re looking for more miso based dishes have a look at this smokey Miso Aubergine recipe.  How Long do I Marinade the Chicken? I’ve tried a few different timings for this marinade and there’s no surprise here – the longer you leave, it the better. The sake and mirin both contain alcohol which tenderises the meat and allows the flavours really soak in.  I recommend marinading the night before for the juiciest miso chicken thighs but if you don’t have time then 30 minutes is still very tasty.  I like to make a big batch of them, marinade overnight then pack them into ziplock bags and freeze. Then I have juicy miso chicken thighs on hand for those busy weeks – the ultimate form of self care, in my opinion. Frequently Asked Questions Ingredients in Miso Chicken Thighs  Miso Chicken Nutritional Value per serving (serves 4) Each serving contains two chicken thighs.  Nutrition information is an estimate generated using Cronometer and is intended for guidance only.

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Japanese Chicken and Sweet Potato

This chicken and sweet potato recipe has it all – juicy chicken thighs with tender Japanese sweet potatoes, cooked until golden and glazed in a delicious savoury soy sauce. It takes 30 minutes to make and is really simple to put together, I promise! I honestly cannot get enough of Japanese Sweet Potatoes – they’re creamy, have an earthy sweetness and are incredibly versatile. I could eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert! Once you try these sweet potatoes, you’ll understand.  I really got into them when I was working as a chalet host in a snowy village in Japan, called Myoko-kogen, incase you’re curious. One of my friends gave me an amazing tip – cook them in the rice cooker. So easy, and soo good. They became our staple snacks on the slopes, giving us loads of energy, and tasting amazing at the same time! Japanese Sweet Potato VS Sweet Potato  There are soo many different types of sweet potato, each with its own qualities that lends themselves to different ways of cooking. The photo below shows a comparison of the skin and flesh of a Japanese sweet potato (top) vs an orange sweet potato (bottom). As you can see, theres a huge difference in colour. In terms of texture the Japanese sweet potato is creamy, dense and smooth. Whereas the orange sweet potato is stringy and higher in water content, so is more moist.  Flavour-wise, the orange sweet potato lives up to its name, and is rather sweet taste and mild in flavour. Whereas the Japanese sweet potato can be incredibly sweet (depending on season) but more complexly so, as well as having an earthy and slightly nutty flavour.  Frequently Asked Questions 3 Tips for Cooking This Recipe How to Serve This Recipe I would serve with with a bowl of hot rice and some steaming Tofu Miso Soup, with some extra veggies added in. If you want more Japanese potato recipes, this Japanese Pork and Potato is similar but uses pork and new potatoes, and is just as satisfying! Sweet Potato Nutrition Sweet potatoes are packed with fibre and loaded with vitamins and minerals. It’s hard to get exact measurements but they are most notably high in vitamin A, vitamin C and manganese.  Check out this link to a Healthline article to find out more about the nutritional value of sweet potatoes. Japanese Chicken and Sweet Potato Nutrition (per serving) Nutrition information is an estimate generated using Cronometer and is intended for guidance only. Leave a Review I always love to know how people get on with my recipes so all feedback is welcome. You can either leave a comment further down the page or contact me directly and I’ll always get back you as soon as possible!

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Yuzu Kosho Fried Chicken (Yuzu Kosho Karaage)

A plate of Yuzu Kosho Fried Chicken on a small plate. In the background there is half a lemon and a bottle of Yuzu Kosho.

This Yuzu Kosho Fried Chicken is the best. That’s it. That’s the intro. Crispy, tender, and super addictive. The zesty, peppery punch of yuzu kosho takes the classic Japanese fried chicken (karaage) to a whole new level. This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase a recommended product through a link on this website. I’m super excited about this recipe. I tested multiple different marinades to make sure the yuzu kosho really stood out. Originally, I included garlic and ginger like in traditional Japanese fried chicken, but I found they overpowered the yuzu kosho’s unique flavour. Same for the coating – I experimented with different flour ratios and settled on a 1:1 mix of plain flour and corn flour. Plain flour provides structure and flavour, while corn flour makes the coating nice and crispy. What is Yuzu Kosho? Yuzu Kosho is a fermented paste made from yuzu peel (see FAQ for yuzu description), chilli peppers and salt. While any citrus can be used, yuzu is the most common. It has a spicy, peppery kick from the chili and a bright, citrusy punch from the yuzu. Frequently Asked Questions 3 Tips for Making Yuzu Kosho Fried Chicken. Want More Japanese Recipes? These are my latest recipes! For more, check out my recipes page. If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments section or through the contact page. I’d love to hear what you think!

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Natto Jiru (Natto Miso Soup)

A bowl of Natto Jiru (Natto Miso Soup) with green onions and shichimi sprinkled on top.

Many people try natto for the first time straight out the box and find it overwhelming. But a more beginner friendly approach to natto is through Natto Jiru! In this hearty miso soup, natto lends a mild nuttiness, a boost of umami and adds extra depth to the flavourful broth. I am such a big fan of natto. When I lived in Japan, I ate it all the time, but after moving to the UK, it was really difficult to find. Now that I live in Brighton, natto is everywhere and I love it! I usually eat natto on its own but recently I’ve been loving it in brothier type dishes like miso soups or soba. My next project is learning how to make Natto. There are a couple different methods I want to try, and once I’ve finished experimenting, I’ll update this page with a link to the blog post with all my findings! Frequently Asked Questions Check out my latest posts

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Classic Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)

a bowl of Classic Oyakodon, a Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl.

Oyakodon – tender bites of chicken simmered in a seasoned, silky egg mixture, served over steaming white rice. It’s a popular dish in Japan, loved for its simplicity, comforting flavour, and its quick and easy preparation! This post contains amazon affiliate links which means I will earn a tiny commission if you buy a recommended product through a link on this website. What is Oyakodon? Oyakodon is a Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl. To be honest, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the name. In Japanese, ‘Oya-ko’ means ‘parent and child,’ and ‘don’ means ‘rice bowl.’ Do you get it? Because it’s chicken and egg… Despite its slightly cynical name, it’s a bowl of pure comfort. All the classic Japanese seasonings are there—soy sauce, sake, mirin, and dashi. On days when you want something tasty yet light, Oyakodon is the answer. It’s quick to whip up, and most of the ingredients are easy to find. Many Japanese seasonings are available in supermarkets now, and the rest are straightforward to source. If you want to buy online, I will link some of my product recommendations at the end of this post! Frequently Asked Questions Three Tips for Making Oyakodon What to Serve with Oyakodon Oyakodon is a whole meal in itself, but if you want to go that extra mile, I’d recommend pairing it with a comforting bowl of hot Tofu Miso Soup and a plate of Glossy Japanese Pork and Potato – yum! If you’re looking for a variation of Oyakodon – check out my Kimchi Oyakodon recipe. This classic Oyakodon is light and delicate in flavour, but the Kimchi Oyakodon is the opposite! It’s packed with big Korean flavours like Gochujang and Kimchi. Its perfect for when you’re craving something with a serious punch of flavour. Ingredients How to cook Oyakodon (Step-by-Step with Pictures). Oyakodon Product Recommendations If you have ay questions, please drop me an email at mikusu.kitchen@gmail.com or through the contact page, I would be more than happy to help. Another reminder that I earn a small commission if you buy any products using the links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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Kimchi Oyakodon (Kimchi, Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)

A bowl of Kimchi Oyakodon with green onion and red chilli

Sweet and spicy kimchi with tender bites of chicken thigh all brought together with soft, creamy egg. This Kimchi Oyakodon was something I cooked up when I was looking for more flavourful and fun versions of Oyakodon, and what’s more, it’s easy to make and can be ready in 30 minutes! Although I love Oyakodon for its simplicity, somedays I want a dinner that hits me in the face with flavour. Enter, Kimchi Oyakodon. Cooking this fills the kitchen with the aromas of a Seoul street market, but also of my Obachan’s kitchen. Two places I love to be! I visited Seoul in the Summer of 2024 and I wrote a list of everything I wanted to eat, and I devoured my way through the city. Everything was so delicious, but I couldn’t get through the whole list. One day I will return and finish it off… Whilst in Korea I learnt how versatile kimchi and gochujang are. I love to make Gochujang Tamagoyaki for breakfast when I’m in the mood for something a bit sweet and spicy for brekkie. Frequently Asked Questions Tips and Tricks Looking For More Recipes? I eat rice almost everyday so it’s no surprise that I have many rice recipes on my blog. I love to make Japanese mushroom rice and make it into onigiri (rice balls) or this Naked Japanese “Fried” Chicken rice bowl is one of my go to easy and flavourful meals!

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Easy Japanese “Fried” Chicken Rice Bowl

A bowl of easy Japanese fried chicken on a bed of rice with black sesame seeds.

Super juicy chicken thighs marinated in a blend of flavourful Japanese seasonings – yum! This rice bowl delivers all the fresh flavours of Japanese fried chicken but without the flour or deep frying. Perfect for meal prepping or when you want a balanced, flavourful meal with minimal effort. We all love Japanese fried chicken, but let’s be honest – there’s only so much fried food we should eat. To satisfy those cravings, I created this healthier (and easier) version using everything except flour and deep frying! It has the familiar taste of traditional Japanese fried chicken but feels lighter, with a subtle grilled flavour instead of deep-fried richness. 3 Tips for the Chicken. Frequently Asked Questions Ingredients Step by Step (with pictures) Looking for More Japanese Recipes?

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Kabocha Miso Soup

A bowl of Kabocha Miso Soup with a wooden spoon resting on the side.

Kabocha Miso Soup is up there as one of the cosiest soups ever. It’s dense and velvety in texture with a sweet and nutty flavour unlike any other pumpkin or squash I’ve ever tried – sorry butternut squash. When I did a snow season in Japan I was buying Kabocha all the time. It was abundant in the supermarkets but unfortunately it’s less common in the UK, however, I recency stumbled across it in an organic shop! I snapped it up, ran home and made this miso soup. Frequently Asked Questions Ingredients List How to Make Kabocha Miso Soup Want more recipes with Kabocha? I love this simmered Kabocha recipe where the Kabocha is the star of the show, similarly to this recipe. This Japanese Sweet Potato Rice would also would amazingly if you swapped the Sweet Potato for Kabocha. Let me know if you give it a go!

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