Many of us who love to travel and explore are now housebound due to the current state of the coronavirus pandemic. With social distancing playing a key role to reduce the spread of the virus, we may find ourselves quarantined in our homes with lots of time to spare, making it a good time to pick up a new creative outlet. Always wanted to take a Japanese cooking class? Why not make Japanese home cooking your new hobby? Online cooking classes and tutorials are always available, and we are here to narrow it down for you with some of our favorite cooking channels on YouTube.
10 Japanese Cooking Videos to Watch as You #stayathome
Here are a few easy Japanese food recipes you can make and enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
- Onigiri (おにぎり) - Adam Liaw
- Karaage (から揚げ) - Seonkyoung Longest
- Tempura (天ぷら) - Tasty
- Hiroshima Okonomiyaki (広島お好み焼き) - Cooking with Dog
- Tonkatsu Curry (とんかつカレー) - Party Kitchen
- Vegan Takoyaki (ビーガンたこ焼き) - Peaceful Cuisine
- Omurice (オムライス) - Jun’s Kitchen
- Pork Shoyu Ramen (醤油ラーメン) - Tastemade
- Matcha Mille Crepe Cake (抹茶ミルクレープケーキ) - Just One Cookbook
- Matcha Latte (抹茶ラテ) - Hueguh
1. Onigiri (おにぎり) - Adam Liaw
Switch out your everyday breakfast sandwich with a Japanese onigiri. One of the most popular on-the-go foods in Japan, it comes in different flavors such as umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum) and tuna mayo. Adam Liaw presents the art of onigiri while thoroughly explaining the technique he uses, making it easier for viewers to learn. In addition, he teaches how to make homemade furikake seasoning to make your onigiri even tastier.
See our article, Beginner's Guide to Common Onigiri Fillings, for inspiration to spice up your rice balls!
2. Karaage (から揚げ) - Seonkyoung Longest
If you are looking for a quick snack while binge watching your favorite show, Seonkyoung Longest is here to provide you with the perfect karaage recipe. The recipe is simple and easy to make for beginner cooks and Japanese food connoisseurs alike. Enjoy it with a side of lemon, greens, and best of all, Japanese mayonnaise.
3. Tempura (天ぷら) - Tasty
Rie, one of Buzzfeed’s Tasty producers, is well-known for her cooking challenges and making basic food fancy. In this video, she provides some tips on making the perfect tempura with shrimp and vegetables. Tempura is best paired with carbs like rice, udon, and soba!
4. Hiroshima Okonomiyaki (広島お好み焼き) - Cooking with Dog
Taste the goodness of Hiroshima okonomiyaki with your new dog friend, Francis! The host of the show, Francis, and his owner will guide you through the steps to make this traditional dish layer by layer. Hiroshima okonomiyaki is different from the Osaka version, as yakisoba is featured in the dish.
5. Tonkatsu Curry (とんかつカレー) - Party Kitchen
If you want to truly experience a Japanese home cooked meal, we highly recommend making tonkatsu curry (Japanese curry and rice topped with a fried pork cutlet). Party Kitchen provides the perfect recipe with ingredients that can be easily found in your fridge. If you are feeling even fancier, pair it with pickled vegetables for the perfect contrast between savory and salty.
6. Vegan Takoyaki (ビーガンたこ焼き) - Peaceful Cuisine
Takoyaki is enjoyed by many in Japan during festivals, but some may have difficulty finding a version that suits their dietary needs. Peaceful Cuisine provides the perfect ASMR experience while creating aesthetic dishes catered to vegans. It may take a few tries in order to get the perfect takoyaki ball (or in this case, mushroom ball), but if you have the luxury of social distancing, you'll have time to practice.
7. Omurice (オムライス) - Jun’s Kitchen
Jun is always looking for things to do at home, whether it is playing with his cats or cooking for his family. His love of cooking is obvious, and he experiments with different Japanese food recipes on his channel. His version of omurice is very straightforward and clear, and we can see the results of his technique with the mouthwatering end shots.
8. Pork Shoyu Ramen (醤油ラーメン) - Tastemade
There are many different types of ramen and in this video, Rika Yukimasa teaches us how to make the perfect shoyu (soy sauce) ramen. Ramen is typically enjoyed all-year round, but it tastes even better on those cold days. Rika mentions that in Japan, slurping your ramen is a sign that it is delicious, so those who are afraid of slurping in front of others can now feel free to slurp away!
9. Matcha Mille Crepe Cake (抹茶ミルクレープケーキ) - Just One Cookbook
As rumors say, there is always room for dessert. For all you matcha lovers out there, Just One Cookbook provides us with a light cake recipe that is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. We recommend this crepe cake video, especially for adults who are looking for something to do with their kids, due to the simplicity of the recipe.
After the virus has passed, make sure to check out these 5 Matcha Dessert Cafes in Tokyo to get your fix of other matcha sweets!
10. Matcha Latte (抹茶ラテ) - Hueguh
How does one survive without going to a milk tea shop every week? We know it can be very difficult, but Hueguh is here to satisfy your cravings with a matcha latte. Hueguh’s minimalist take on this drink involves only two ingredients: oat milk and matcha. Making this drink in place of your morning coffee will definitely wake you up.
Coronavirus and Food Safety
The number of cases of coronavirus in Japan is continuing to grow, but there are preventative measures we can take to reduce its spread. With this in mind, we are urging everyone to continually wash their hands, avoid touching their faces, and to implement social distancing.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland states that the coronavirus cannot be spread through food. However, we should remain vigilant. Take extra precautions, such as washing ingredients, changing gloves frequently (if you wear them while cooking), and practicing personal hygiene. Contribute to the prevention of coronavirus by taking care of yourself and #stayathome.
For more delicious recipes to try at home, check out our post featuring 10 Japanese food bloggers!
