If you love Japanese culture and are looking to immerse yourself in it, then you have to understand that it doesn’t stop with designing your house with Japanese accents. You have to cook authentic Japanese cuisine. The way it looks, tastes and is prepared is all part of the culture and needs to be understood.
To properly cook Japanese cuisine, you’ll not only need to have some cooking techniques mastered, but also the proper tools to do so. If you have the skills, but not the right tools, then you won’t be able to recreate the authentic recipes. In this article, we will go over some of the must have items in every Japanese kitchen.
1 – Rice cooker
Rice is a key ingredient in Japanese cooking, and is the cornerstone of every meal. To get the rice just right, which is crucial for Japanese dishes, a rice cooker is a must-have in your kitchen so that your rice comes out perfectly every time.
When picking a rice cooker, there are several features to consider that will help you make great Japanese rice. First, look for a rice cooker with a setting for sushi rice. This feature adjusts the cooking process to make the rice slightly firmer, ideal for sushi. A “keep warm” function is also important. It keeps the rice at the perfect temperature for serving without overcooking it, making sure your rice stays perfect throughout the meal.
For those who enjoy different Japanese rice dishes, some rice cookers come with various settings. These can handle different types of rice and recipes, including porridge or mixed rice dishes that incorporate vegetables and fish. This feature is great if you want to try making many traditional Japanese rice dishes.
2 – Hangiri
A hangiri is a traditional wooden tub that’s crucial for making sushi rice. It’s made from cypress wood and held together with copper or stainless steel bands. The hangiri not only helps cool the rice quickly but also infuses it with a subtle wooden flavor, enhancing the overall taste of sushi.
The use of a hangiri starts after the rice is cooked. You transfer the hot rice into the hangiri and mix it with sushi vinegar. The wood of the hangiri also soaks up extra moisture, helping the rice get to the perfect level of stickiness.
3 – Donabe
A donabe is a traditional Japanese clay pot, perfect for making one-pot dishes like nabe and shabu-shabu. Donabes are not only useful but also look good as they often have a simple, elegant design. Made from a special kind of clay, donabes can handle high heat and keep heat really well, which is great for meals that need to be cooked slowly and gently.
What makes a donabe special is how it cooks food evenly, bringing out the best flavors and smells. You can use it right on your stove and then put it on the table as a serving pot, keeping your meal warm as you eat.
