Japanese Cooking Gadgets That Will Make Your Mealtime More Fun - Part II

Who doesn’t love Japanese cuisine? It’s delicious, healthy, and always full of flavor. But cooking Japanese food can be a little daunting for beginners. That’s where these cool Japanese cooking gadgets come in! We’ve gathered some of the best and most innovative kitchen tools from Japan to make mealtime more fun and easy for everyone. With these gadgets, you’ll be able to cook your favorite Japanese dishes with ease!

Surikogi and Suribachi (Japanese mortar and pestle) has remained as useful today as it was in the 1700s when it was invented. It’s employed in a wide range of applications. It’s usually used to grind sesame seeds, but it works with any mixing or grinding recipe. The surikogi (pestle) is made of wood. During the grinding  process, this won’t damage the interior of the bowl. Surikogi and Suribachi, like hand mixers and grinders, are better at combining ingredients. The Japanese culinary tool gives you greater control over the grinding process.Not just for Japanese cuisine, these handy gadgets also work great for making non-japanese recipes like pesto sauce. So if you’re looking for a more traditional way to grind and mix your ingredients, grab a Japanese mortar and pestle – you won’t be disappointed!

2. Zaru (Bamboo Draining Basket)

A zaru is a draining basket made from bamboo used in the preparation and presentation of Japanese cuisine. It can be used similarly to a sieve or colander, both of which are common in western cooking. Additionally, well-designed zaru are used to present food directly, as zarusoba. Plastic and metal versions of the zaru have also come into use, but are rarely used to present food.The zaru is a multipurpose kitchen tool that has many uses. Zaru are common in Japanese kitchens because they’re easy to store. It allows you to drain water and other liquids from food quickly and easily.  The rustic look of bamboo is perfect for adding a touch of Japanese culture to your kitchen. If you enjoy eating a lot of noodle dishes like soba or udon, you’ll want one.

3. Gyoza Press

This Japanese cooking gadget is the perfect way to make gyoza quickly and easily. The press offers a simple plastic mold with ridges along the outer edge. This helps to create perfectly folded wrapper edges, without all of the hassles.Gyoza are easy to make with a gyoza press. Simply place the wrapper in the mold, add your filling, and press down to close. You’ve got yourself some beautiful gyoza that are ready to be pan-fried or steamed. The press is a lifesaver if you need to make huge quantities of gyoza, like for a party. Plus, it’s typically quite inexpensive (typically around $5).So if you love gyoza but hate the hassle of making them by hand, pick up a gyoza press and make your life easier. Your fingers will thank you!

4. Tamagoyaki Pan

Tamagoyaki is a Japanese dish made primarily of eggs. It is usually cooked in a special pan that gives it its characteristic rectangular shape. The ingredients typically include soy sauce or dashi, and sugar. Tamagoyaki is often served as breakfast food or as part of a bento box.Tamagoyaki pan cooks eggs in the distinctive rectangular shape of tamagoyaki. With a pair of chopsticks, a thin sheet of the cooked egg gets neatly folded over itself to form multiple layers. If you cook tamagoyaki a lot, the pan makes it easy to achieve that classic rectangular shape.The tamagoyaki pan is also a compact and adorable-looking decoration for your kitchen. It’s useful for cooking other (bite-sized) things as well.  If you are interested in Japanese cuisine or want to learn more about tamagoyaki, then this Japanese cooking gadget is perfect for you!

5. Donabe (Ceramic Pot) 

Japanese families get out their beloved donabe every winter. They use the ceramic pot to make soul-warming nabe meals, also known as “hot pot.” A donabe, which means “earthenware pot,” gets made using special clay. The clay can withstand cooking on an open flame.
Your donabe will remain hot for a long time after reaching its peak temperature. It’s great for cooking ingredients evenly.To cook nabe, simply throw some stock and whatever ingredients you have in the fridge into the donabe, and you’ll have a quick and easy hot pot meal. It’s a wonderful way to warm up from the cold and bring people together at the end of the day.  In addition to being great for nabe (hot pot) meals, the donabe can also be used to make tamagoyaki, a Japanese omelet that is often served as part of a bento lunch box. Japanese families have been using donabe to cook delicious meals for centuries, and it’s now gaining popularity in the West as people discover its many benefits.

Japanese cooking gadgets make Japanese cuisine more fun and easy to cook for everyone. With these tools, you’ll be able to whip up your favorite Japanese dishes with ease!  So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!