How To Build A Kitchen For Cooking Japanese Food A Beginner S Guide

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Starting to build your kitchen for Japanese cooking? Here is my recommendation of the kitchen essentials.

Are you living in a small apartment with limited kitchen space or about to start cooking for the first time? I’m here to provide some tips on how to build a kitchen equipped to cook Japanese food at your own home.
I will cover the essentials in each area of the kitchen. Items in italics are not an absolute “necessity”, but I wanted to include them because I use them often and I think they are worth to be included. Whether you prefer a minimalist kitchen or a complete kitchen, this framework will be a great guide for you.

How to Build a Kitchen for Japanese Cooking with these Basic Essentials
SINK AREA
A large colanderExtra
A salad spinner (No more diluted dressing!)STOVETOP
A large pot (or Dutch oven)A medium pot (or Dutch oven)A small pot (or Yukihira Nabe)A large frying pan or a cast iron skilletA drop lid (otoshibuta)A fine mesh skimmerA stainless steel ladleA silicone turner spatulaA wood spatulaA set of long chopsticks (all-purpose kitchen utensils!)Extra
A pair of kitchen tongsA cooking thermometerCUTTING STATION
A wood cutting boardPlastic cutting board(s) (for meat/seafood)A good quality santoku knifeA vegetable peelerA ceramic graterExtra
A pairing knifeA microplane zester/graterA pair of kitchen shearsWORK AREA
A set of glass mixing bowls (at least 3 different sizes)A set of mortar and pestleA silicone spatulaA large whiskA can openerExtra
A flat whisk or small whiskA cookie scoop (I also use it for savory dishes)A garlic pressA silicone brushA pepper grinderMEASURING TOOLS
A set of measuring cupsA set of measuring spoonsA 2-cup liquid measuring cupExtra
A 1/4-cup liquid measuring cupA digital kitchen scaleBAKING
A half-sheet baking sheetA cooling/baking wire rackExtra
A hand mixerELECTRIC GADGETS
A rice cookerExtra
A food processorA blenderAn Instant Pot (pressure cooker/slow cooker)JAPANESE RECIPE SPECIFIC (EXTRA)
– The kitchen tools below will be useful if you have additional space and will be making specific recipes regularly.
A donabe (earthenware pot)A portable butane stove with butane fuel canisterA tamagoyaki panA sushi oke setTABLEWARE (FOR ONE)Japanese-style
A rice bowlA miso soup bowlA medium plateA small plateA small bowlA mini plateA set of chopsticks and a chopstick restWestern-style

A large, medium, small platesA large, medium, small bowlsUtensilsAdditional Tips (For the Minimalist Kitchen)
1. Build your kitchen based on your lifestyle and cooking habits.When you have a small space to work with, the most important to do is to have an understanding of your preferred living and cooking habits. Ask yourself questions like:
What kind of recipes will I be making often?Do I need this tool? Will I be using it very often?Is this going to be just one-time use? etc.By asking these questions, it will help you to decide what to get and what not to get.
2. Declutter and access your organizing system.You may have already heard about the famous Mari Kondo method. It is true that there’s magic in tidying up. Although I have a huge collection of cookware for the work that I do, I believe in the power of decluttering and organizing for efficiency.
If you have some clutters in the kitchen, spend some time to get rid of anything that is way too old or no longer in use. This will free up some space for other more important equipment or breathing room. Once you get rid of certain things, start organizing by categories.
2. Think smart storage.Creativity comes in when you have to maximize the square footage you have. Have a good inspection around your kitchen and look for any potential storage spaces. Is there any space above your fridge? Can you go vertical by hanging things on the wall? You’ll be surprised how much you can utilize the workable room in your tiny kitchen.
I hope the above guide make your cooking a little easier.
Now it’s your turn! Do you have any kitchen items you can’t live without? Do you have any tips you’d like to share with anyone who lives in a small space? Tell us about it in the comment below.

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