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Japanese Popular Dishes Cooking Class

4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 82 ratings
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Fumiyo Okamoto

Welcome to this course. I‘m Fumiyo Okamoto, the owner and chief instructor of a Japanese cooking class for foreign visitors in Osaka, "Sakura Cook".

What you will learn in this course is authentic Japanese dishes. These can be cooked with basic techniques and improve your knowledge and cooking skills of Japanese dishes step-by-step.

  • Understand real Japanese food

Read more

Welcome to this course. I‘m Fumiyo Okamoto, the owner and chief instructor of a Japanese cooking class for foreign visitors in Osaka, "Sakura Cook".

What you will learn in this course is authentic Japanese dishes. These can be cooked with basic techniques and improve your knowledge and cooking skills of Japanese dishes step-by-step.

  • Understand real Japanese food

In 2013, Japanese cuisine was registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Japanese food, which make the most of natural qualities of ingredients and is nutritiously balanced, has been inherited from generation to generation and is now loved in all over the world.

If you want to learn real Japanese food, this is your course. This course provides you more than just the techniques of cooking, but also deep knowledge about Japanese food and its background. It is not sufficient to understand real Japanese food without knowing about DASHI (Japanese broth) and UMAMI flavor. Or getting to know the world of fermented foods, MISO and soy sauce, will enhance your interest and help understanding in Japanese food.

  • Learn five popular dishes

After mastering the most important element, DASHI, you will learn five dishes, These are popular not only among Japanese but also foreign visitors in Japan and are the most appropriate dishes for you to start with. Don't worry, the cooking techniques are arranged for beginners.

While the cooking skills of this course may not seem enough for intermediate to advanced cooks, you will find this gives you deep knowledge of Japanese cuisine as a part of Japanese culture.

  • Discovery in variation of dishes

There are many variations of the foods actually eaten in Japan. In this course variations of dishes are shown with numerous photos. Maybe you'll feel like you are enjoying a foodie trip with your eyes. Knowing and understanding variation of dishes may allow you to find a new path arranging your original Japanese food.

  • Course structure

Each section describes one dish. Consists of three lectures of "the back ground of the dish", "preparation" and "cooking and presentation". Please see the course outline for the detail. You can review the recipes repeatedly in PDF files as well.

Now, let's start a Japanese cooking journey, together.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn real japanese food from a professional instructor!
  • Understand the most important element for japanese food, dashi and umami flavor. understanding the combination of dashi is the first step to authentic japanese food.
  • Master five different types of popular japanese dishes step-by-step with basic techniques. all totally different dishes with different skills gradually lead you to the next step.
  • Learn the back ground and the characteristics of the foods and seasonings indigenous in japan. by understanding the characteristics, you may apply the japanese seasonings for your daily cooking.
  • Get the tips to improve your cooking skills. the tips will help you when you are challenging for variation of the dishes.
  • Understand japanese food culture deeply. the knowledge makes your japanese food more profound and enhance your world of cooking.
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction

This lecture provides a brief introduction of the instructor. You'll find the instructor's backbone and feel relieved to start this course.

Read more

You will understand the highlights of what you will learn in this course and the structure of the course.

What you will learn in this course is authentic Japanese dishes. These can be cooked with basic techniques and improve your knowledge and cooking skills of Japanese dishes step-by-step.

Each section describes one dish. You will learn the background of the dishes and presentation not only the cooking techniques. In the end of the lecture, to review the points in whole the section.

You will learn about the ingredients of DASHI and role of DASHI, the essential element of the flavor base for Japanese food.

You will learn not only the techniques of cooking, but also meanings of the process. It will improve your understanding of Japanese food. The DASHI you will learn in this course is a combination of KOMBU and KATSUOBUSHI. This is the most commonly used for Japanese food and will be the basis for following lectures in this course.

You will learn about MISO and ingredients to expand your world of MISOSHIRU.

Check the ingredients for two servings and essential kitchen utensils.

You will learn how to cut vegetables and tofu beautifully, then find the importance of presentation and color contrast, which is one of the most important elements of Japanese food.

The lists of ingredients and kitchen utensils are available to download as PDF files.

You will learn the meanings of the cooking order depends on the characteristics of the ingredients.

After the lesson, try various ingredients and make your own MISOSHIRU.

TONJIRU, a kind of MISOSHIRU with pork is a classic menu. You can download the recipes (English / Japanese) as a PDF file.

豚汁のレシピ(日本語・英語)をPDFファイルでダウンロードできます。

You will find the variety of DONBURI and the position as a meal.

You will cook OYAKO-DON.

Here you will learn how to cut ingredients for tastier dish. You will also find what ingredients can be substituted if you cannot prepare something from the list.

The lists of ingredients and kitchen utensils are available to download as PDF files.

You will learn the tips of how to cook juicy OYAKO-DON.

GYU-DON is one of the DONBURI using beef and onions. You can download the recipes (English / Japanese) as a PDF file.

牛丼のレシピ(日本語・英語)をPDFファイルでダウンロードできます。

You will learn about major two styles of OKONOMIYAKI and the difference.

Understand the ingredients for OSAKA style OKONOMIYAKI. Check out the ingredients for a simple homemade OKONOMIYKI sauce, too.

The lists of ingredients and kitchen utensils are available to download as PDF files.

Learn the technique of cooking OKONOMIYAKI. In addition, you will be surprised at how easy making OKONOMIYAKI sauce is!

You will find styles of UDON and wide variety of dishes using UDON.

You will learn ingredients for a traditional UDON soup and easy toppings for Beef UDON.

The lists of ingredients and kitchen utensils are available to download as PDF files.

In order to make the best beef UDON, you will learn effective cooking procedure, try 3 steps simultaneously.

Before you make homemade RAMEN on your own hands, understand the difference between authentic RAMEN and instant RAMEN in this lecture. Also, you will find variety of RAMEN.

You will make Cold RAMEN, popular in Japan. You will make RAMEN noodle in this lecture and prepare for colorful toppings.

The lists of ingredients and kitchen utensils are available to download as PDF files.

Cold RAMEN requires technique the most in this course. Learn effective time management through this lecture.

Related information is available in this bonus lecture.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Starts with DASHI, the essential flavor base, which provides a strong foundation for understanding authentic Japanese cooking
Explores five popular dishes, offering a practical introduction to Japanese cuisine that is accessible to beginners
Provides deep knowledge about Japanese food and its background, enhancing understanding beyond just cooking techniques
Includes downloadable PDF files of recipes, ingredients, and kitchen utensils, which allows learners to review the material repeatedly
Teaches techniques for cutting vegetables and tofu beautifully, emphasizing the importance of presentation and color contrast in Japanese food
Requires learners to source ingredients and kitchen utensils, which may not be readily available in a typical household or library

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Japanese home cooking basics & culture

Based on the course description, learners can expect to learn basic techniques for preparing popular Japanese dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN. The course aims to go beyond just recipes, providing cultural background on essential elements like DASHI and UMAMI. It is designed for beginners, though some advanced techniques, such as making ramen noodles, may present a challenge. Finding authentic ingredients might also require effort depending on location. Overall, it appears to offer a solid introduction to Japanese home cooking with a focus on understanding the food's cultural significance.
Useful downloadable recipe files provided.
"PDF recipes are available for download."
"Ingredient lists and recipes are provided in PDF format."
Features well-known and accessible recipes.
"Covers classics like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, and RAMEN."
"The selection includes dishes popular with foreign visitors."
Provides insight into Japanese food culture.
"Learning about DASHI and UMAMI is a key part."
"Understanding the background of dishes is included."
Suitable for those new to Japanese cooking.
"The course explicitly states it's arranged for beginners."
"Basic techniques are covered step-by-step."
Making ramen noodles requires skill.
"The course description notes ramen is the most technique-heavy."
"Making noodles from scratch sounds like a potential challenge."
Locating ingredients may require effort.
"Finding authentic ingredients could be a barrier for some."
"Depending on where you live, specialty items might be needed."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Japanese Popular Dishes Cooking Class with these activities:
Review Basic Japanese Vocabulary
Familiarize yourself with basic Japanese vocabulary to better understand ingredient names and cooking terms used in the course.
Browse courses on Japanese Vocabulary
Show steps
  • Study common food-related words and phrases.
  • Practice pronunciation using online resources.
  • Create flashcards for memorization.
Read "Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art" by Shizuo Tsuji
Gain a deeper understanding of Japanese cooking principles and techniques to enhance your learning experience in the course.
View Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and chapters on basic techniques.
  • Experiment with a few simple recipes from the book.
  • Take notes on key concepts and ingredients.
Practice Knife Skills
Improve your knife skills to efficiently and safely prepare ingredients for the dishes taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Watch videos demonstrating proper knife techniques.
  • Practice basic cuts like dicing, mincing, and slicing.
  • Focus on consistency and precision.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your Cooking Journey
Reinforce your learning by documenting your experience cooking the dishes from the course, including photos, notes, and reflections.
Show steps
  • Take photos of each step of the cooking process.
  • Write notes on any challenges or successes you encounter.
  • Share your experience on social media or a personal blog.
Create Your Own Donburi Recipe
Apply your knowledge from the course to create your own unique donburi recipe, experimenting with different ingredients and flavors.
Show steps
  • Research different donburi variations for inspiration.
  • Choose your ingredients and develop your recipe.
  • Cook and taste your creation, making adjustments as needed.
  • Share your recipe with others.
Read "Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen" by Elizabeth Andoh
Explore the cultural context and traditional techniques of Japanese home cooking to enrich your understanding of the course material.
View Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the introductory chapters on washoku and Japanese ingredients.
  • Select a few recipes that interest you and try cooking them.
  • Reflect on the cultural significance of the dishes.
Explore Japanese Cooking Blogs and YouTube Channels
Expand your knowledge and discover new recipes and techniques by following Japanese cooking blogs and YouTube channels.
Show steps
  • Identify reputable Japanese cooking blogs and YouTube channels.
  • Watch videos and read articles on topics covered in the course.
  • Try out new recipes and techniques you discover.

Career center

Learners who complete Japanese Popular Dishes Cooking Class will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Culinary Instructor
A culinary instructor teaches cooking techniques and recipes to students, and this course provides a strong foundation in Japanese cuisine. The course emphasizes understanding real Japanese food, the importance of DASHI and UMAMI, and mastering popular dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN. As a culinary instructor, this course can help you to develop expertise in these popular dishes, as well as offer a perspective on how to instruct students with a focus on background, preparation, cooking, and presentation, and all of which are detailed in this course. This course also gives insight and background into Japanese food culture that would be helpful in teaching a variety of students.
See salaries and explore the career path for Culinary Instructor
Personal Chef
A personal chef prepares meals for clients based on their preferences and dietary needs, and this course is an ideal starting point for learning the essentials of Japanese cooking. The course's focus on mastering popular dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN, along with understanding DASHI and UMAMI, provides the necessary skills to create authentic Japanese meals. This course offers a practical understanding of recipe preparation and cooking techniques that will prove valuable for a personal chef. In addition, the course explains the background of Japanese dishes, allowing a personal chef to provide a richer culinary experience to their clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Personal Chef
Food Blogger
A food blogger creates written or visual content about food, and this course helps enhance their expertise in Japanese cuisine. The course provides a deep understanding of real Japanese food, including DASHI, UMAMI, and popular dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN. A food blogger will benefit from learning about the background, preparation, cooking, and presentation of these dishes. The course also explores variations in dishes, and this can inspire a food blogger to create original content, or even arrange their own Japanese dishes. The food blogger could use this course as a basis for a blog that introduces Japanese food to an audience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Food Blogger
Catering Chef
A catering chef prepares food for events, and this course can help them specialize in Japanese cuisine. The course emphasizes understanding the fundamentals of Japanese cooking, especially the use of DASHI and UMAMI, and mastering key dishes such as MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON and RAMEN. A catering chef will find the detailed approach to background, preparation, cooking, and presentation of these dishes beneficial for creating authentic Japanese menus. The course also introduces variations of dishes which could allow the catering chef to broaden their offerings. The skills obtained here can be used to create a popular catering business or niche.
See salaries and explore the career path for Catering Chef
Recipe Developer
A recipe developer creates new recipes for cookbooks, magazines, or websites. This course may be useful as it provides a great introduction to Japanese recipes and techniques. The course’s focus on the use of DASHI and UMAMI, along with the mastery of dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN, offers a solid starting point for recipe development. A recipe developer will gain insights into the background of Japanese dishes, preparation, cooking, and presentation from this course, in addition to techniques that will be valuable in creating original recipes. The course also details variations of dishes which may be useful for a recipe developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Recipe Developer
Restaurant Chef
A restaurant chef is responsible for creating the menu and cooking food in a restaurant. This course may be useful as it provides a good overview of a variety of Japanese dishes, from MISOSHIRU to RAMEN. A restaurant chef may benefit from the course as it explores the use of DASHI and UMAMI, with focus on popular dishes, preparation, and presentation techniques. This course could also enhance a chef's ability to create a diverse menu with dishes that are authentic, or by adding a Japanese twist to fusion cuisine. The course could also allow chefs without existing knowledge of Japanese cuisine to enter this area of expertise.
See salaries and explore the career path for Restaurant Chef
Food Stylist
A food stylist arranges food for photography, film, or other visual media. This course may be useful, particularly for a food stylist working with Japanese cuisine. The course emphasizes the presentation of popular Japanese dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN and provides insight into the importance of presentation and color contrast in Japanese food. A food stylist may use the presentation techniques discussed in the course. The course also provides details on the background of the dishes which can offer the food stylist a deeper understanding of the cuisine to enhance their presentation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Food Stylist
Food Product Developer
A food product developer creates new food products for manufacturers or food companies. This course provides an introduction to the flavors, ingredients, and dishes of Japanese cuisine, which may be helpful in product development. A food product developer can use the course to gain insight into the use of DASHI and UMAMI, and the combination of ingredients in different Japanese dishes, like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN. The course also explores the background of Japanese food culture, which may be relevant to the development of new Japanese food products. This course would be a good starting point for product development work in Japanese cuisine.
See salaries and explore the career path for Food Product Developer
Nutritionist
A nutritionist advises clients on healthy eating habits using their knowledge of nutrition and dietary needs. This course may be useful by providing a perspective on Japanese cuisine. This course’s focus on the nutritional value of Japanese food, the use of natural ingredients, and understanding of dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN may be beneficial for a nutritionist. While not the primary focus of the course, understanding the characteristics of Japanese food culture, including an emphasis on balance and natural flavors, may offer additional context for the nutritionist when helping clients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nutritionist
Food Tour Guide
A food tour guide leads tours that showcase food and dining experiences. This course may be helpful as it provides a great introduction to popular Japanese dishes, including MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN. A food tour guide will find the detailed background of these dishes useful to share with tour participants, enriching their experience. A food tour guide can also benefit from the course's insight into authentic Japanese cooking techniques and the use of DASHI and UMAMI, as well as the different variations of dishes. The course may also be used as a starting point to design a food tour.
See salaries and explore the career path for Food Tour Guide
Restaurant Manager
A restaurant manager is responsible for the daily operations of a restaurant, and this course may be useful in managing a Japanese restaurant or a restaurant that features Japanese cuisine. The course provides information on the preparation of many popular Japanese foods, from MISOSHIRU to RAMEN. A restaurant manager would benefit from the course by understanding ingredients, flavors, preparation methods, and the background of the dishes. This knowledge could help in menu planning, staff training, and answering guest questions. The course may be particularly useful for those who manage restaurants that serve Japanese fusion food.
See salaries and explore the career path for Restaurant Manager
Food Writer
A food writer creates content about food for magazines, newspapers and websites. This course may be useful for a food writer interested in exploring Japanese cuisine. This course’s focus on the background, preparation, cooking, and presentation of Japanese dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN provides a starting point for writing about these authentic dishes. The course also explores the cultural backgrounds of the dishes and the role of DASHI and UMAMI within Japanese cooking. This course may offer a variety of angles for a food writer to explore.
See salaries and explore the career path for Food Writer
Dietician
A dietician provides guidance on nutrition and dietary needs to clients. This course may be relevant to a dietician who is working with clients interested in Japanese cuisine. The course emphasizes balanced and nutritional cooking with natural ingredients, and explains the background of popular dishes such as MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN. Although primarily a cooking course, the knowledge of how each dish is made and the ingredients involved can provide a better context for a dietician who may use these dishes as part of a dietary plan. The focus on natural ingredients is also a strength.
See salaries and explore the career path for Dietician
Import/Export Specialist
An import export specialist works with importing and exporting goods, and this course may be useful for individuals interested in the import and export of Japanese food products. This course can provide insight into Japanese ingredients, seasonings, and popular dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN. The import export specialist will gain an understanding of cultural aspects of Japanese food that is useful when working with suppliers, buyers, or regulations. This course provides a starting point for work in the import and export sector related to Japanese food products.
See salaries and explore the career path for Import/Export Specialist
Hospitality Consultant
A hospitality consultant advises businesses in the hospitality industry, such as restaurants and hotels. This course may be relevant for hospitality consultants who work with clients who serve Japanese food. This course will provide a detailed overview of the preparation, background, and presentation of popular dishes like MISOSHIRU, DONBURI, OKONOMIYAKI, UDON, and RAMEN and also discusses the importance of DASHI and UMAMI. This information would be useful to a consultant working with a restaurant that specializes in Japanese cuisine, or one looking to add it to their offerings. This course would allow a consultant to offer a knowledgeable perspective.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hospitality Consultant

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Japanese Popular Dishes Cooking Class.
Cover image
Japanese Cooking
Save
Comprehensive guide to Japanese cuisine, covering essential techniques and ingredients. It provides a deep understanding of Japanese culinary philosophy and is considered a classic for both beginners and experienced cooks. It offers a broader perspective on Japanese cooking beyond the specific dishes taught in the course, making it a valuable resource for further exploration. This book is commonly used as a textbook at culinary schools.
Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art
Hardcover
$$
Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art
Hardcover
$$
Practical Japanese Cooking: Easy and Elegant
Hardcover
$$
Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Washoku
Save
Focuses on traditional Japanese home cooking, providing a deeper understanding of the cultural context behind the dishes. It explores the concept of 'washoku' (Japanese cuisine) and its emphasis on seasonal ingredients and balanced flavors. It is particularly useful for understanding the nuances of Japanese flavors and techniques, adding depth to the course material. This book is valuable as additional reading to expand on the course.
Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen [A...
Hardcover
$$
Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen [A...
Kindle Edition
$$

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Course image
Rating
4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
1.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Fumiyo Okamoto
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Starts with DASHI, the essential flavor base, which provides a strong foundation for understanding authentic Japanese cooking
Explores five popular dishes, offering a practical introduction to Japanese cuisine that is accessible to beginners
Provides deep knowledge about Japanese food and its background, enhancing understanding beyond just cooking techniques
Includes downloadable PDF files of recipes, ingredients, and kitchen utensils, which allows learners to review the material repeatedly
Teaches techniques for cutting vegetables and tofu beautifully, emphasizing the importance of presentation and color contrast in Japanese food
Requires learners to source ingredients and kitchen utensils, which may not be readily available in a typical household or library
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