🍱 Japanese Cooking Experience with Airbnb

Today, my wife and I had the pleasure of immersing ourselves in a Japanese Cooking Experience right here in Nagoya.

Our goal? To master the art of cooking authentic Japanese dishes, with a spotlight on the beloved miso katsu.

For those unfamiliar with miso katsu and its delightful accompaniments, let me paint a savory picture for you.

Nagoya-style miso katsu is a beloved dish hailing from the heart of Japan’s Nagoya region. Unlike its traditional counterpart, tonkatsu, which features a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, Nagoya-style miso katsu takes it up a notch. Here, the pork cutlet is lovingly coated with a rich and savory miso-based sauce before being crisped to perfection.

This flavorful miso sauce is crafted from red miso paste, a fermented soybean delight, combined harmoniously with mirin (sweet rice wine), sake (Japanese rice wine), sugar, and sometimes dashi (Japanese soup stock). The result? A symphony of sweet, savory, and umami flavors that dance on your palate with each bite.

Traditionally, Nagoya-style miso katsu is served with a generous helping of shredded cabbage and a side of rice, making for a truly satisfying meal that captures the essence of Nagoya’s culinary prowess.

Our delightful instructor, Naoko, guided us through the intricate steps of selecting quality ingredients and mastering essential cooking techniques. With her expertise, we discovered that the key to elevating these dishes lies in the meticulous preparation and application of traditional Japanese cooking methods.

One of the most rewarding aspects of today’s experience was delving into the intricate process of transforming a freshly picked pork cutlet into a crispy katsu masterpiece. Learning to craft our own miso sauce from scratch added an extra layer of appreciation for this iconic dish.

As we reflect on our immersive cooking journey, it’s evident that experiencing Japanese culture and cuisine firsthand through hands-on cooking experiences like this Airbnb offering surpasses the traditional restaurant experience. Our senses were awakened, and our memories enriched by the flavors and techniques we embraced today.

To those intrigued by this culinary adventure, we invite you to join us in exploring the vibrant world of Japanese cooking. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and you can also embark on this delicious journey!