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Give Me Umami » Guides

Japanese Cooking Basics

Want to cook Japanese food at home but don’t know where to start? This section is packed with helpful guides that cover the building blocks of Japanese cooking. From understanding essential pantry ingredients like miso, mirin, and soy sauce to learning how to make dashi or cook perfect Japanese rice, these beginner-friendly resources will help you feel more confident in the kitchen. Whether you're just getting started or want to brush up on fundamentals, these tutorials will guide you step-by-step.

  • 8 Essential Japanese Pantry Staples for Beginners
  • Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Cooking
  • Japanese Dashi 101: Uses, Types, Substitutes, and More
  • What is Washoku? A Guide to Traditional Japanese Cuisine
  • A Guide to Japanese Ingredient Substitutions
  • Japanese Soy Sauce 101: What It Is, Types, Uses, and More
  • Sake 101: A Guide to Uses, Storage, Substitutes, and More
  • Mirin 101: A Guide to Types, Uses, Substitutes, and More
  • Miso 101: A Guide to Types, Uses, Storage, and More

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kurumi! I share practical and traditional Japanese recipes and tips to incorporate Japanese cooking into daily lives.

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    Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes Oven & Air Fryer (Yaki Imo)

Japanese Home Cooking Starter Guide

Japanese home cooking starter guide sign-up preview image.

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