Hi there Reader -- This Weekly Meal Plan is here to help you decide what to cook on busy days. I know how tiring it can feel to think about what to eat every day, so you can leave that part to me. ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This vegetarian Japanese spring meal plan brings together light, fresh, and satisfying dishes. Here’s what’s on the menu: Monday: Tamagoyaki Onigirazu Tuesday: Cold Ramen Noodle Salad Wednesday: Vegetable Tempura Thursday: Vegetarian Chirashi Sushi Friday: Chickpea Curry Soup...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- Here in Japan, spring is starting to fade, and little by little, summer is on its way. Lately, I’ve been feeling excited, imagining where to go and what to eat this summer. And today, I’m sharing Ohitashi, a classic Japanese vegetable side dish. It’s often made with spinach, but it works really well with many other vegetables too. I’ve also created a new video featuring easy veggie side dishes that are perfect for meal prep, including ohitashi. Be sure to check it out! ✨...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- I hope you’re having a lovely week! I don’t have a new recipe this week because it was Golden Week here in Japan (a series of national holidays in May), so I enjoyed a slower week with family. Instead, I wanted to share what I’ve been making lately. I bought a whole box of tomatoes, and with the warmer weather, refreshing tomato recipes have been perfect! ✨ My Seasonal Picks for This Week Tomato and Cucumber Salad Simple Tomato and Avocado Salad 7 Quick and Easy Tomato...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- This Weekly Meal Plan is here to help you decide what to cook on busy days. I know how tiring it can feel to think about what to eat every day, so you can leave that part to me. ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This meal plan brings together simple, traditional dishes that are light, comforting, and perfect for the season. Here’s what’s on the menu: Monday: Kombu Onigiri (Seasoned Kelp) Tuesday: Kitsune Udon Soup Wednesday: Dashimaki Tamago Thursday: Kappa Maki Roll Friday:...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- Does tofu ever feel a little too soft or watery to you? Freezing it completely changes the texture! It becomes firmer and more satisfying. Today I’m sharing an easy teriyaki recipe using frozen tofu. If you have tofu at home, I hope you’ll try it! ✨What's New Teriyaki Tofu with Frozen Tofu (Blog Post) Frozen Tofu Teriyaki — Firmer, Chewier, Better (Video) 💬 What Our Community Is Saying This Week! Made this today with one garlic clove, so simple but great! Thank you!! Check...
21 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- This Weekly Meal Plan is here to help you decide what to cook on busy days. I know how tiring it can feel to think about what to eat every day, so you can leave that part to me. Each week, you’ll receive a simple 5-day meal plan to help you plan ahead, along with a handy shopping list to make grocery shopping easier. If five days feels like too much, you can start with just one day or a couple each week, whatever works best for you. ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This week’s menu...
26 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- Thank you so much for filling out last week’s survey and sharing your input. I really appreciate it, and I’ll be using your feedback to help shape future content. Today’s newsletter covers the essential seasonings for Japanese cooking. I’ve also updated the Japanese grocery shopping Guide and would love for you to grab the latest version. It now includes a "Where to Buy" section with recommendations based on many of your survey responses (U.S. only for now — sorry!). Hope...
28 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- This Weekly Meal Plan is here to help you decide what to cook on busy days. I know how tiring it can feel to think about what to eat every day, so you can leave that part to me. Each week, you’ll receive a simple 5-day meal plan to help you plan ahead, along with a handy shopping list to make grocery shopping easier. If five days feels like too much, you can start with just one day or a couple each week, whatever works best for you. ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This Japanese...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader -- I’d love to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. It will help me make Chef JA Cooks an even better place, one that brings you more joy in cooking. As a thank-you for your time, everyone who completes the survey will receive a 10% off code to use on any digital product in our shop! Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your support 😊 Take The Survey 💬 What Our Community Is Saying This Week! I love salmon! great recipes. Check this: 3 Japanese...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read