Atsuko's Japanese Kitchen

Japanese home-cooking is full of comfort, but a version of comfort food that is stylish, mouth-watering and less unhealthy than most. For those who aspire to re-create the Japanese dishes enjoyed in restaurants or on holiday, and to discover even more about the secrets and techniques involved in Japanese home-cooking, you are invited into Atsuko’s Kitchen. First, understand the Japanese philosophy of the five pillars of Washoku, an essential part of Japanese traditional culture recognized by Unesco, and the culmination of centuries of cooking practices. Learn the subtle art of creating a balanced meal as demonstrated with an easy-to-follow infographic. Learn the basics, such as how to season food the Japanese way, how to prepare tofu and how to make variations on basic rice. Choose from the delicious array of main dishes you might be familiar with, such as chicken teriyaki, tonkatsu pork, beef tataki, gyoza, seared tuna with ponzu, vegetable tempura, okonomiyaki, grilled eggplant with sesame sauce, plus recipes from Atsuko’s own family and modern creative repertoire. Also featuring ‘izakaya’ style appetizers for entertaining and sumptuous modern desserts, there is Japanese comfort food for every occasion. With tips on how to present your dishes in the traditional way, anecdotes and cultural explanations of dishes, discover the secrets of Japanese home-cooking for yourself.