Japan’s Most Popular Meat-Based Dishes and How to Make Them

Japan is renowned for its rich culinary landscape, with a plethora of delicious meat-based dishes that showcase the country’s unique flavors and cooking techniques. From succulent grilled meats to hearty stews, Japanese cuisine offers something for everyone. Here, we’ll explore some of Japan’s most popular meat-based dishes and provide simple methods on how to make them at home.

1. Yakitori

Yakitori, or grilled chicken skewers, is a beloved Japanese street food that emphasizes simplicity and flavor.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken thighs (or other preferred cuts)
  • Negi (Japanese green onions)
  • Salt or tare sauce (soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar)

Instructions:

  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Thread the chicken and green onion alternately onto skewers.
  3. Grill over medium-high heat, brushing with tare sauce or sprinkling with salt.
  4. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

2. Gyudon

Gyudon, or beef bowl, is a comforting dish featuring thinly sliced beef on rice, flavored with a sweet and savory sauce.

Ingredients:

  • Thinly sliced beef
  • Onion
  • Mirin
  • Soy sauce
  • Rice
  • Optional: pickled ginger, green onions

Instructions:

  1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
  2. In a pan, sauté sliced onions until translucent.
  3. Add the beef and cook until browned.
  4. Pour in mirin and soy sauce, and simmer for a few minutes.
  5. Serve the beef mixture over rice, garnished with pickled ginger and green onions if desired.

3. Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a dish consisting of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, serving as a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

  • Pork loin or tenderloin
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Flour
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Tonkatsu sauce

Instructions:

  1. Pound the pork cutlet to an even thickness.
  2. Coat the pork in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan and fry the coated pork until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes each side.
  4. Slice and serve with tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage on the side.

4. Nikujaga

Nikujaga is a classic home-cooked dish of sliced meat and potatoes simmered in a sweet and savory sauce.

Ingredients:

  • Sliced beef or pork
  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Mirin
  • Soy sauce
  • Sugar
  • Water

Instructions:

  1. In a pot, sauté the onions until soft.
  2. Add the sliced meat and cook until browned.
  3. Add potatoes and carrots, followed by mirin, soy sauce, sugar, and enough water to cover the ingredients.
  4. Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld, about 20-30 minutes.

5. Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is a hot pot dish that features thinly sliced beef cooked with vegetables and tofu in a savory broth.

Ingredients:

  • Thinly sliced beef
  • Shiitake mushrooms