Here are my top 5 favorite main dishes that are incredibly satisfying when served with a bowl of steamed rice!
1. Salmon Teriyaki
I personally love using New Zealand salmon, which is easily available in Australia. It has a rich, buttery texture that is just divine. Teriyaki is the ultimate way to enjoy it! I like to cook the salmon with a touch of butter—it brings out a wonderful aroma and adds extra depth to the sauce. It's a family favourite that pairs beautifully with rice.
Honey Teriyaki Salmon
Rich, buttery New Zealand salmon cooked with teriyaki sauce and a touch of butter for extra depth of flavor.
2. Chicken Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Karaage is the king of "Okazu." Imagine crispy, golden-brown chicken that has been marinated in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, etc., then fried to perfection. The contrast between the crunchy outside and the juicy inside is so satisfying. It's the perfect partner for a hot bowl of rice.
Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage)
Crispy, golden-brown chicken marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, then fried to perfection.
3. Ginger Pork (Shogayaki)
This is a classic Japanese home-cooked meal. It is great to see sliced pork at Coles that is thin enough to use for this dish! This type of cut used to be hard to find in Australia, so it's very handy. When cooked with a savoury ginger sauce, it becomes a match made in heaven for freshly steamed rice.
4. Nasu Dengaku (Miso Glazed Eggplant)
Every now and then, I get a massive craving for this! The large eggplants we see in Australia are actually perfect for this dish because they are so meaty. Whether you deep-fry, pan-fry, or roast them, the texture becomes incredibly creamy. Topped with a rich, sweet miso glaze, it's a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Note: I haven't uploaded the recipe for this one yet, so stay tuned!
5. Beef Bowl (Gyudon)
Finding pre-sliced beef can be quite challenging in Australia, but it's the key to a perfect Beef Bowl! Simmered with onions in a mildly sweet and savoury sauce, this dish is the ultimate Japanese comfort food. If you're wondering how to get those perfect thin slices at home, check out my recipe page for some helpful tips!
Classic Gyudon (Beef Bowl) Recipe
The ultimate Japanese comfort food with thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a mildly sweet and savoury sauce.
I hope this gives you some delicious inspiration for your next meal. All of these ingredients are easily accessible in Australia, so why not give them a try tonight?
If you try making any of these, I'd love to hear how they turned out! Let me know what you think in the comments!