Vegetarian Japanese Food

Food is an integral part of our daily lives, and the ability to sample dishes from around the globe has never been easier. With access to an array of taste-bud tingling menus in restaurants and the ability to try dishes in the comfort of your own home following a recipe detailed online, exploring the world one mouthful at a time can be a fantastic way to experience different cultures and bring alive your senses.Whether you’ve taken the plunge into full-time vegetarianism or your flexible with your diet, sampling some of the delights from Japanese cuisine is a way to bring sensational flavours to your everyday meals. We’ve taken a look at some of our favourite meat-free dishes, for you to try next time you’re feeling experimental!

Mochi

Traditionally, Mochi was made by soaking and then steaming a short-grain, glutinous rice which is known as mochigome. Following this, the rice is heavily mashed with a mallet, and stirred with a mortar while adding water. This process is continued until the rice becomes sticky and malleable enough to turn into cakes. Mochi can either be grilled or fried, be eaten with either sweet or savoury, and you’re aiming for a very chewy, yet gooey texture. One of the most popular dishes to have Mochi with is ozoni.

Ozoni

Ozoni is traditionally eaten during the Japanese New Year. There are many variations to the dish; some are related to the areas of Japan that it is made while others are simply family-favourites. The soup is usually eaten for breakfast and consists of a vegetable-based broth and the treasured mochi rice cakes.

Gyoza

Gyoza are parcel-like, they are made from a very fragile dough which is carefully wrapped around a filling. The dish can be changed to suit an array of tastes and preferences, but typically, gyoza is filled with ground meats. Experimenting and switching this traditional dish to include vegetarian alternatives will work just as well and will reward with fantastic flavours. It is also guaranteed to wow at a dinner party! As the delicate-looking parcels appear on the table, it provides a feast for your eyes. You can purchase frozen gyoza wrappers , and once filled, they can be either fried or steamed. Delicious!

Vegetable Tempura

A crispy and light dish, vegetable tempura features on many Japanese menus, and it is a popular choice amongst vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. There’s often an assortment of vegetables used, although some of the easiest to replicate at home include aubergine, broccoli, courgette and mushroom. After a dip in the delicious batter, it’s straight into the fryer, where they are left for only a minute or two, ensuring that the vegetables still have a delightful crunch when served.

Aubergine Yasai Curry

A traditional aubergine curry comes with a thick and comparatively mild sauce. It’s a perfect mid-week dinner, with short preparation and cook times. The mildness only relates to the intensity of the heat, as it’s a dish which provides full-on flavour. Usually, it is made using a shop-bought Japanese curry roux (always check ingredients as some aren’t vegetarian). Some of the primary ingredients including cumin, cardamom, cinnamon and garam masala, although there are many variations. Curry is a firm favourite in Japan and is available at most restaurants, served with either rice or noodles.

Udon Noodle Soup

Udon noodles are every bit a comfort food; they’re soft, chewy and thick, providing the perfect density to support a flavourful soup. An udon noodle soup can be changed to suit your flavour-cravings, but we’d advise ginger, spring onion, chilli, soy sauce and cilantro as a base to your broth. For the veg, pair either mushrooms and spinach or tofu and broccoli for a healthy and filling dish.

Japanese Edamame

Japanese edamame is so simple, yet so delicious. Almost effortlessly, you have a healthy and delicious snack to enjoy either between or before your main meal. The fresh and young soybean is full of nutrients, after a quick stint in boiling water, they are served with a pinch of salt and eaten from the pod.An array of unique food originates from this beautiful country, and if you’re interested in sampling some of the varied and flavourful cuisine, browse our extensive range of Japanese food UK , and discover some of the ingredients used to make these dishes.