If you want to try making Japanese food at home, it is worth paying attention not only to the recipes themselves but also to Japanese cooking tools. From onigiri and tamagoyaki to dishes made with sesame, Japanese home cooking features tools designed for specific types of food preparation.
In this article, we introduce three Japanese cooking tools that food lovers around the world can use to experience a little more of Japanese food culture at home.
1. Onigiri Tatsujin: A Tool for Making Onigiri
Onigiri is one of Japan's most popular home-style foods. While onigiri are traditionally shaped by hand, the “Onigiri Tatsujin” is a convenient tool for making neatly shaped rice balls.
This Japanese-made onigiri mold allows you to make several onigiri at once. Simply place the cooked rice into the mold and press it to create rice balls of a similar size. It is a useful tool for anyone who wants to enjoy Japanese-style breakfasts or bento meals at home.
View the “Onigiri Tatsujin” product page
2. Tokoname-Yaki Suribachi for Sesame and Seasonings
One of the traditional tools used in Japanese cooking is the suribachi, a Japanese mortar. The one featured here is made from Tokoname-yaki, a traditional type of pottery from Aichi Prefecture.
A suribachi can be used to grind sesame seeds, make dishes such as grated yam and shira-ae, and crush herbs and other seasonings. Unlike a typical Western-style mortar and pestle, a Japanese suribachi is designed specifically for grinding and mixing food ingredients.
It can also be used beyond Japanese cuisine. Try it with nuts, spices, or vegetables when making pastes and sauces for everyday cooking.
View the Tokoname-yaki “Suribachi No. 7” product page
3. ambai Tamagoyaki Pan for Japanese Egg Dishes
If you want to try making Japanese egg dishes, a tamagoyaki pan is another cooking tool worth knowing. Its rectangular shape makes it easier to roll layers of beaten egg as you cook, which is ideal for making tamagoyaki and dashimaki tamago.
The ambai Tamagoyaki Square FSK-001 is a Japanese-made iron tamagoyaki pan designed for cooking about two to three eggs. It works with both gas and induction cooktops. In addition to egg dishes, it can also be used for small portions of stir-fried food or French toast.
View the ambai Tamagoyaki Square FSK-001 product page
Enjoy Cooking with Japanese Tools
Japan has many cooking tools designed around specific dishes and cooking techniques. An onigiri mold connects to Japan's bento culture, a suribachi is useful for sesame and dressed dishes, and a tamagoyaki pan is designed for Japanese egg dishes. Learning about these tools can also help you discover more about Japanese food culture.
If you want to make Japanese food at home, take a look not only at the recipes but also at the tools traditionally used to prepare them. Adding Japanese cooking tools to your kitchen can bring a different kind of enjoyment to your everyday cooking.
