If you’re feeling Japanese, then there’s only one thing you should do. Attend a Japanese cooking class!
Some Things to Know about Japanese Food
Perhaps one of the reasons why you should learn how to cook Japanese food is because it’s the ideal diet.
Besides, the country has the most number of octogenarians or even centenarians!
Japanese dine on a lot of fish and prepare their own broth.
They eat organ meat, which may not sit well with others but they are highly enriched with vitamins.
They prefer to keep their cooking methods very simple in order to retain not only the flavor but also the packed nutrients.
Japanese simply love more natural food.
Remember sushi? Japanese also love to drink tea and do tai-chi. So really, it’s not surprising why most of them are incredibly healthy.
The Japanese are also very particular with flavour.
As much as possible, they want to create a balance, so the dish doesn’t end up being too sour, hot, or sweet.
They are also the ones who came up with “umami,” which is a completely different taste than the ones mentioned before.
The presentation is also important to the Japanese as they want to entice the diners.
Thus, you can see large battered prawns, beautifully thin-sliced pink salmon, and even quirky layouts in bento boxes.
Tempura is a huge hit in Japan, although it doesn’t really originate there.
The main ingredient, which is usually a prawn or a shrimp, is coated with egg and flour, and then deep-fried.
It’s so famous you can find restaurants selling nothing else but a variety of tempuras.
It’s also a great food takeout and is often sold in food stalls.
Cooking Japanese in Singapore
Here’s the best part of Japanese cooking.
You can forget about going to Japan just to eat their meals for a while and simply attend any of the cooking classes in Singapore.
Japanese cooking classes are usually offered by schools that also provide other Asian cuisine such as Indonesian, Singaporean, Chinese, Thai and Indian.
It’s also a part of the curriculum of professional culinary schools, especially for their four to the five-year diploma program.
Some hotels such as Shangri-La conduct regular Japanese cooking classes headed by no less than their own chef.
Most of the dishes prepared are Japanese classics such as miso soup, sashimi, sushi, ramen, takoyaki, and tempura.
Some chefs add more by teaching you how to create or drink sake, which is their popular rice wine.
If not, the dishes are paired with tea.
The classes are normally good for two and a half hours up to 3 hours.
Everything may begin with an orientation or a classroom instruction, covering some facts about Japanese food, knift handling skills and cooking techniques. Then you proceed to hands-on activities.
You may prepare themed meals such as the well-loved bento box or a set meal in which all dishes have fish as a main ingredient.
Do note that many cooking schools and hotels in Singapore do not offer hands-on training as classes are generally demos.
Most of the hands-on classes are usually conducted in small team sizes.
After the cooking session, you can take home not only the recipes but also the food you have prepared.
Since most Japanese recipes require seafood, be sure you can tell the chef or the teacher of your allergies if any.
See you at the Japanese Cooking Classes and start whipping your favourite Japanese dishes in the kitchen.
Types of Japanese Cooking Classes
We offer a comprehensive selection of hands-on Japanese Cooking Classes for everyone.
– Japanese Sushi Making – Learn the history and skills of making various types of sushi (Temakizushi, Makizushi, Inarizushi, Chirashizushi).
– Japanese “Teishoku” Cuisine – Learn the Japanese culture of making meal sets. Due to the frequent demand and popular interest from our customers, we are now offering this new class in our 2014 catalogue.
– Classic Japanese Cuisine – If you love traditional Japanese cuisine, this is the perfect class for you.
– Japanese Grilled & Skewered Foods – Learn to make Yakitori and Yakisoba for your next party.
– Japanese Fusion Cuisine – Learn to make ‘East Meets West’ Japanese dishes in this class.
– Japanese Comfort Foods – Learn to make popular Japanese cuisine such as Chawanmushi, Tofu, Tempura, Zara Soba etc.
– Savoury Summer Japanese Dishes – Learn to make Japanese summer dishes such as tofu steak, Takoyaki, and mushidori no Gomadare (ginger chicken).
– Mid-Autumn’s Delight Japanese Dishes – Learn to make Japanese mid-autumn dishes such as Horenso no gama-ae, Chikuzen-ni, Suimono, etc.
– Japanese Ramen – Learn to make Japanese Char Siew, Shoyu Ramen, Cabbage rolls, Namasu.
– Japanese Pancakes and Dumplings –Indulge in delicious Japanese quick treats. Learn to make Gyoza, Okonomiyaki, and Japanese salads & dressing.