These are some of the basic utensils to look for in the Japanese Kitchenware. There are certainly more than these of course, but for now we will focus on the Japanese kitchen essentials.
Having good Japanese knives is a must when it comes to preparing delicious Japanese dishes. We’re not just referring to sushi here by the way: the cutting of rest of the food with a touch of culinary art in this kitchen is very important too.
At times, the type of ware depends on the sort of food getting prepared and its properties. To begin with, it would be a great idea if you start with a sashimi knife.
Recommended: KYOKU 5-Knife Set with Block – 8” Chef Knife + 8” Bread Knife + 6.5” Carving Knife + 5” Utility Knife + 3.5” Paring Knife
Japanese Kitchenware Classic: Aluminum Pots
The Japanese use special pots when cooking soups and stews – a Yukihira nabe. These aluminum pots are shaped by hand and are very thin. Their biggest quality is that they conduct heat very well. That is why they work perfectly with Japanese noodles and soups.
When cooking tempura, or some kind of fried dish a spider skimmer will do great. They also work very well as a green kitchenware solution for your everyday kitchen needs.
Recommended: Hinomaru Collection Yukihira Nabe Lightweight Hammered Aluminum Pot – Wooden Handle Golden Non-stick Coating Saucepan Made in Japan
Donabe Pots
The Donabe is a type of dish made out of a specific clay. It is used directly on the flame in Japanese kitchens. The food is prepared on the table, and it gains a rich and delicious taste.
Recommended: Japanese Style Donabe Rice Cooker
Hangiri Bowl
In Japanese gastronomy, a hangiri is a wooden bowl or barrel. Its main use is in the final steps of preparing rice for sushi. Traditional hangiri is made of cypress wood with two copper legs.
They can have a diameter between 30 cm for home use, or one meter for restaurant use. The cook uses the hangiri and a wooden pallet called a shamoji to clean and cool the rice.
You boil the rice and then pass it to the hangiri where it is stirred with a dressing of rice vinegar, sugar and salt. Cover it with a fukin and place it in the cold once the blend is complete.
Recommended: Hangiri Sushi Oke Rice Mixing Tub with Lid – Made of bamboo, 14.2″
The Kitchen Brush
The kitchen brush is used to glaze some dishes like yakitori skewers or some other dish that is covered with some thick sauce. You also use it to cover dishes with soy or nigiri.
Recommended: Rwm Basting Brush – Stainless Steel Brush with Back up Silicone Brush Head
Japanese Kitchenware Essential: Bamboo Strainer
A bamboo strainer is perfect for noodles or tea. It is a practical, hygienic, and sustainable cooking utensil, which also does not alter the flavor of the ingredients (in the case of tea).
Recommended: Bamboo Round Zaru – for Soba, Udon and Noodles (30cm, Japan)
Shamoji Paddle
Shamoji is a wooden paddle used for cooking rice. You stir and mix the rice with the vinegar to elaborate the rice for sushi and also serve it. It is traditionally made out of bamboo, wood, lacquer, or plastic. You will soak the shamoji in water frequently as rice will not stick to it this way.
Recommended: Stand Rice Paddle Shamoji Black K
Oroshiki Grater
Oroshiki is a classic Japanese grater. One of its characteristics is that it has very small holes, and to be effective, it has very sharp teeth.
Recommended: YOSHIKAWA Oros Grater
The chopsticks for cooking are three times bigger than the normal ones and also thicker. These longer sticks keep the hands safe from the intense heat during cooking.
Recommended: IPPINKA Silicone Tip Chopsticks
Rectangular Pan
The pan for tamagoyaki is a normal non-stick frying pan but it has a special rectangular shape for this type of dish. A tamagoyaki is a very popular rolled-up tortilla in Japan.
Recommended: Tamagoyaki Japanese Rectangle Frying Pan – Non-stick Coating Pan
Suribachi
This is a Japanese mortar that differs little from the traditional one we all know. Suribachi is made of ceramic and its interior is not smooth while it also has a more concave shape. It comes with grooves that facilitate the task of grinding or crushing.
The hand of this Japanese utensil is called surikogi and it is elaborated generally with wood of cypress or ash. The most expensive models are made with wood from the sansho pepper tree and it is said that this material also adds a special touch to the mincing.
Recommended: Zen Table Japan Traditional Mortar & Pestle Set – (Suribachi & Surikogi) Large 8.6 inches -Made in Japan
Electric Rice Stove
This is one of the most useful utensils in the Japanese kitchen. You have to wash the rice, put it in with the necessary amount of water and you’re done. The stove takes care of the rest, perfect to prepare steam dishes.
Recommended: MoModer Electric Rice Cooker – with Removable Stainless Steel Bowls
Sushi mats are absolutely essential and are made from bamboo or silicone. They are used to make makizushi, rolled sushi and some other popular dishes.
Recommended: Soeos Bamboo Sushi Kit – Includes 2 Rolling Mats – 5 Pairs Chopsticks – Paddle – Spreader
I hope this article has explained how to start with the Japanese kitchenware. These are the most popular and essential Japanese kitchenware tools that you gotta have in your kitchen. Found your favorites yet?
