Usually when people think of Japanese food they think of Sushi but I can assure you there is a lot more to this wonderful cuisine than meets the eye.
Since this is the first time I used Japanese soy sauce in a recipe, let’s talk about the different kinds. As an illiterate Westerner I thought all soy sauces are the same and like all products they come in varying degrees of qualities. After some reading I know differently.
Originally, the Chinese developed soy sauce. There is light soy sauce whose flavour can be described as “straight”, whereas dark soy sauce’s is more “rounded”. Of course, when neighbouring Far Eastern countries heard of the Chinese’s creation, they copied and created their own versions. For a mind-boggling read on all things soy sauce, check out Wikipedia.
So what exactly is the difference between Chinese and Japanese soy sauce?
Most Chinese soy sauce is produced using a shorter brewing process, as well as having a higher salt content than the Japanese type. Some are chemically produced whereas others are only partially brewed. Many contain caramel colouring (E150), added sugar, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and preservatives, which may give the sauce an artificial taste. Authentic Japanese soy sauce, also referred to as “shoyu”, is brewed with cultured yeast for many months. The latter generally has a lower salt content and includes roasted wheat which in turn improves the flavour, aroma and colour of the sauce.
There you have it guys. Happy cooking!
Yakitori Chicken Kebabs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 6 boneless chicken thighs
- 150ml (1/4 pint) Japanese soy sauce
- 90g (1/2 cup) sugar
- 25ml (1 1/2 tbsp) sake or dry white wine
- 15ml (1 tbsp) plain all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Make the sauce. Stir the soy sauce, sugar, sake or wine into the flour in a small pan and bring to the boil, stirring. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced by one-third. Set aside.
- Cut each chicken thigh into bite-size pieces and set aside.
- Preheat the grill/broiler or prepare the barbecue.
- Thread the chicken on to the drained skewers. Grill/Broil under a medium heat or cook on the barbecue, brushing generously several times with the sauce. Allow 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked but still moist.
- Serve with yakitori sauce.
Notes
- Bite-size chunks of turkey breast, lean boneless pork or lamb fillet can be used instead of chicken. Small, whole button mushrooms are also delicious for a vegetarian alternative.
- Serve with rice or noodles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 81
- Sodium: 189 mg
- Fat: 4.86 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.358 g
- Protein: 7.96 g
- Cholesterol: 29 mg
deana
Great information and I love yakitori..so simple and a great recipe!
Kavey
These do look good!
Learned only recently about the different types of Soy from teanamu who runs cookery workshops. Very interesting to see and taste the difference!
alec
oh, boy ... these look LOVELY.
Jamie
Very cool - I must research this all out next I go to my Asian supermarket!
And this Yakatori chicken looks so delicious! Easy, too. Yum! Must try! We love these flavors!
Jeanne @ Cooksister!
You are so right - a) there is more to Japanese cuisine than sushi and b) all soy sauces were not created equal. My dark soy sauce (Chinese) has a VERy strident flavour, so I need to keep 2 bottles, one light and one dark. Your yakitori look DIVINE!
Solange
This looks lovely and I'll make sure to try it over the week-end, I can't quiet fathom why it takes 2 hours cooking...haveI missed something?
Michelle
Solange: Thanks for pointing out the mistake. While the PDF version was correct the online version was not. It has been rectified. 🙂
Rainie
May I know what sake did you use?
Rainie
May I know what sake did you use?
Michelle
Rainie: The brand I use is Sawanotsuru, a refined Japanese sake. It's available in the UK at Waitrose.
Marla
Yakitori sauce is such a great way to flavor kebabs!
It is Kebab week at Get Grillin' we would love if you submitted up to any 3 recipes (they don't have to be grilled) to our link up. This one would be perfect!
This week we have a Rosle Grill Utensils giveaway. http://su.pr/1BZGKK
Rafal
Wow! This was excellent. The first time I made it I followed the recipe and it seems a little bland. But the second time I doubled the spices and added a clove of minced garlic to the meat. I served it with a Greek yogurt sauce and yellow rice. The family can't stop talking about it. My husband took the leftovers to his boss and now he's requested I make more, just for him! Delicious!
Michelle
Thanks for the great feedback, Rafal. Has your husband had a raise yet? 😉
Renil M. George
looking so yummy, i will surely try this at home,
★★★★★