Recipes

Make “Nabe” Hot Pot at Home

Japanese hot pot, also known as "Nabe," is a simmering stew cooked at the table and shared with family or friends. Using commercial broth and a few ingredients, you can prepare a hot pot quickly at home. Give it a try today!

Nagaimo from Aomori Return to TOKYO CENTRAL!

Tasty and Nutritious! Fresh Yamaimo from Aomori, Japan, is returning to Tokyo Central! Available for a limited time and quantities—don’t miss out! Tasting Event at the Gardena & Irvine locations from 2/6 fri ~ 2/8 sun.

Elevate your Yakiimo experience this season!

Yakiimo, or traditional Japanese baked sweet potatoes, is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with both sweet and savory toppings.

Sukiyaki Recipe

Sukiyaki is one of Japan’s most cherished hot pot dishes, and behind its gentle sweetness lies a story of change and togetherness.

Pumpkin Purin Recipe

Pumpkin Purin is a dessert that combines caramel custard pudding, known as purin, with Japanese kabocha squash. It's the perfect seasonal dessert for any cozy autumn afternoon.

Dorayaki Recipe

Dorayaki (どら焼き) is a beloved Japanese sweet made of two castella-like pancakes sandwiched with sweet red bean paste (anko). Its name comes from “dora” (銅鑼) meaning “gong,” because the pancakes are round like a gong!

Osechi – Traditional New Year’s Food

Osechi Ryori - Enjoying and Sharing New Year's Special Foods! As the year is coming to its end, everyone is running around...

Okonomiyaki Recipe

Savory, fluffy, and endlessly satisfying—Okonomiyaki is one of Japan’s most beloved soul foods. Often described as a “Japanese pancake” or “Japanese pizza,” it’s a hearty dish packed with flavor and personality. With just a few ingredients and a bit of care, you can recreate this street food favorite in your own kitchen.

Temaki Sushi Recipe

🍚🍣Roll your own hand rolls at home! Roll your own hand rolls at home! Pick your favorite toppings and customize it to your own liking Grab your ingredients at Tokyo Central! Shop in-store and online 🛒

Tanabata Festival Somen Recipe

Celebrate the magic of Tanabata with a refreshing twist on tradition! This year, we're diving into a delightful Somen dish that captures the joy of wishing on stars. Easy to make and perfect for summer gatherings, this recipe blends light, savory flavors that will transport you straight to the festival.

From Fluffy Pancakes to Okonomiyaki: A Guide to Japanese Pancakes + Recipe

When you think of pancakes in the US, the image that comes to mind is the beloved breakfast classic served with a generous pour of maple syrup, along with savory sausages and crispy bacon. But what about pancakes in Japan? While you can find similar pancakes there, they are somehow called “hotcakes” instead. What’s more, … Read More

Reasonable and Nutritious. Eat More Bean Sprouts!

Beansprouts, the humble yet versatile ingredient found in various cuisines worldwide, offer a plethora of health benefits alongside their delightful crunch. These sprouts, commonly derived from mung beans or soybeans, are not only low in calories but also rich in essential nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and protein.

Explore the Variations of Japanese Curry Dishes

Discover the Uniqueness of Japanese Curry: A Popular Dish with a Twist. Japanese curry stands out as a beloved culinary delight in Japan, offering a distinct flavor profile that distinguishes it from other global curry variants. Crafted from a rich and luscious curry sauce, this dish is meticulously prepared by simmering a medley of vegetables, meat...

Otsukimi Dango – 2 Ingredients Dumplings

In Japan, there is a custom of "Otsukimi お月見" meaning "Moon Viewing" at the Mid-Autumn Festival. Otsukimi traditions include; decorating...

6 Health Benefits of Azuki: The Mighty Little Red Bean

More polyphenols than red wine, abundant in fiber and minerals—the little brownish-red beans, azuki, are considered to be the second...

Make Ehou Maki Roll for Setsubun Day

Discover how to prepare Futomaki sushi rolls in the comfort of your own home and take part in the "Setsubun" tradition!

Autumn Recipe! Creamy Pumpkin Miso Soup

Creamy Pumpkin Miso Soup is a delicious and comforting soup that blends the earthy taste of pumpkin with the rich umami flavor of miso. It strikes a perfect balance between sweet and savory notes, making it an ideal dish for chilly autumn evenings.

Marinated “KALBI” Short Rib for BBQ

Korean BBQ beef short rib with bone, aka LA Kalbi or Galbi, is a popular Korean dish. It consists of marinated beef short ribs that are grilled or broiled to perfection. The ribs are cut across the bone, marinated...

Easy Soba Recipe

Soba, Japanese Buckwheat Noodle is a type of Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour. It is typically served chilled with a dipping sauce or in a hot broth...

Summer Festival in Japan: What to Eat and What to See

Sightseeing, street food, fireworks, festivals—the list goes on and on for fun summer activities in Japan! Annual vacations make it easier to travel in the summer, and it’s also the perfect time to immerse yourself in Japanese culture through Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festivals).

Donburi – A Small Universe in a Bowl

The word donburi is the abbreviation of the word donburibachi, which is a deep, sturdy ceramic dish about the size...

The Beginner’s Guide to Sake: Types of Sakes, Classifications, and Preparations

Sake has played a central role in Japanese life and culture for the past 2,000 years, and the knowledge and...

How Curry Became a Popular Japanese Comfort Meal

You’re in Tokyo and it’s lunchtime. An acquaintance suggests Italian, French, Brazilian, but you feel like something Japanese. You head...

The Perfect Cocktail: Sparkling Plum Wine with “Hidden Rose” Apples (Recipe + Video)

A perfect dessert recipe by using @choya_usa Sparkling Plum Wine for a romantic night..

Stuffed Wagyu Nappa Cabbage Roll (Recipe + Video)

A tasty filling wrapped with nappa cabbage leaves and wagyu is a match made in heaven. Nappa cabbage has bigger leaves...

How To Make Juicy, Crispy Karaage Every Time (Recipe + Video)

Karaage is Japanese-style fried chicken, crispy exterior and juicy chicken. This time we made karaage with Marudaizu Shoyu Tatsumi. This specialty...

Baked Sweet Potato Fries With Miso Sauce

Baked Sweet Potato with Spicy Miso is a combination that most would've never thought of, but it's actually SO satisfying! Spicy miso...

How to Make Soboro Don(Japanese Ground Pork Bowl)

On a time crunch? Try our soboro don recipe. Soboro don, or Ground Meat Bowl, is a mildly sweet and...

Creamy Miso Shrimp Pasta in 4 Easy Steps

Looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal? This creamy miso shrimp pasta is delicious and nutritious. In 4 easy...

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry

Chocolate-dipped strawberries are easy to make at home, very fresh, and less expensive compared to store-bought ones

Oden – The Pleasures of a Slow simmered stew

Mention that you’re serving oden for dinner, and you can be sure you’ll have a few folks knocking on your...

Nikumaki Onigiri – Meat Wrapped Rice Ball

The latest popular onigiri is the Nikumaki Onigiri, meat-wrapped rice balls. A small rice ball wrapped in thin slices of...

Chirashi Sushi – The “FAMILY” Sushi

Chirashi Sushi, or “Scattered Sushi,” is the fun and festive looking dish families enjoy when it’s time to celebrate happy...

Yakiniku-Don. Easy Beef Bowl with a Twist

Too tired to cook? No time to cook? Try Yakiniku-Don, easy beef bowl with a twist! With just 3 ingredients...

Tomato Meatballs

Running out of meal prep ideas? Meatballs, a popular entrée for bento boxes, are a great source of protein that...

Maguro Zuke Don – Marinated Tuna Sashimi Bowl 

Impress your loved ones with this zuke maguro don. In less than 30 minutes, you can prepare your own zuke...

Mentaiko Onigiri (Recipe + Video)

Delicious and nutritious, onigiris are a staple food in Japanese culture. You'll often find onigiris in convenience stores, airports, and...

The Best Homestyle Strawberry Pound Cake

Simple and sweet, this strawberry pound cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion. Impress your guests with this easy...