by : Reiko Bread, Japanese Food

Melon Bread: Matcha & Raspberry
メロンパン：抹茶＆ラズベリー

Melon bread is a popular Japanese bread.

This is basically a sweet bun with crunchy cookie-like top.

I’ve talked about melon bread before.

Orange Melon Bread.

Vanilla and Raspberry.

Lemon.

The type of this bread is called melon bread (my mother always makes them with melon flavor), but you can make them with any flavor you like.

This one is Matcha.

Filled with Matcha custard cream.

This one is Raspberry with seedless jam filling.

Melon bread has become one of my husband’s favorites, and he approved these as well.

Any bread is the best when it’s fresh, but it’s so true with melon bread.

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by : Reiko Japanese Food, Rice/Grains

Fried “Fish” Onigirazu Rice Sandwich
V”魚”フライおにぎらず

Remember I made Onigirazu rice sandwich the other day?

It was such a big hit at our house, I decided to make another one.

I thought the vegan fried “fish” would perfect to put in this rice sandwich.

This time I put too much inside the Nori seaweed sheet, and I was afraid that it wouldn’t close.

I had to add an additional small piece of Nori sheet, but I was relieved when it finally closed (well barely!).

In this Onigirazu rice sandwich, you will find the vegan fried “fish” arugula-spinach mix, tomato slices, and Yuzu coleslaw.

This was absolutely delicious!

You can see how substantial the vegan “fish” is.

Extremely happy with the result!

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by : Reiko Japanese Food, Rice/Grains

Fried Rice with Watermelon Pickles
西瓜ピクルス炒飯

Fried rice with homemade watermelon pickles.

Well, technically rice was fried with watermelon pickles, scrambled tofu, and Japanese Shiso basil.

I really enjoyed the crunchy texture of the pickles.

You don’t have to do this, but I like to serve my fried rice shaped like this.

This is how I remember a lot of Chinese restaurants serving fried rice in Japan.

The fried rice was served with nectarine arugula salad, miso soup, and iced coffee.

A well-balanced nutritious lunch plate!

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by : Reiko Japanese Food, Noodles/Pasta

Shoyu Ramen
醤油ラーメン

Ramen has become super popular in the U.S. the last several years.

I am loving the trend, but unfortunately it’s still challenging to find vegan ramen.

I have tried vegan ramen at some ramen shops, and while I appreciate their effort, there have been only a few times I truly enjoyed.

So when I want ramen, I usually make it at home.

What’s important for good ramen?

Well, you have to have the right noodles for sure.

And good broth, of course.

These are the base.

For toppings you can basically use anything you like.

I hope everyone had a great start to the week!

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by : Reiko Japanese Food, Rice/Grains, Tempeh, Tofu

Onigirazu Rice Sandwich
テンペターメリック豆腐おにぎらず

This style of rice sandwich became extremely popular in Japan about five years ago.

It’s called “Onigirazu.”

At that time it seemed that everyone in Japan was making this.

I’m always a bit behind of trends, and now five years later I made my first Onigirazu.

You can basically use anything you like once you have roasted seaweed sheets and slightly salted rice, but for this one you’ll find tempeh, turmeric tofu, and Shiso (Japanese basil) coleslaw.

They were a bit loose but held the shape just fine.

I think this was a success!

I will definitely make Onigirazu again.

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by : Reiko Japanese Food, Noodles/Pasta, Soup/Stew

Miso Homemade Noodle Soup
味噌煮込み手打ちうどん風

I love almost any type of noodle soup.

But miso noodle soup has a special spot in my heart.

As my hometown in Japan is famous for dark miso noodle soup, I grew up eating it a lot.

When I made homemade pasta, it looked like the noodles that were used for the miso noodle soup, and I just had to make it.

I don’t always have time to make carrot flowers, but when I do, I love doing things like this.

You have to admit.

The flowers make the whole bowl so pretty.

It’s probably categorizes as a winter dish.

But if you ask me, I can eat it any time of the year!

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by : Reiko Japanese Food, Rice/Grains

Watermelon Sushi Roll
西瓜寿司

When I thought I had made every kind of sushi roll, there was something new!

I LOVED the watermelon pickles I made so much, and I thought this would be great in sushi.

In this roll you’ll find avocado, Japanese Shiso basil leaves, and watermelon pickles.

I love how it looks.

So pretty, like a jewelry box!

Yes you could have just eaten it without all the toppings, but toppings are good, right?

Teriyaki glaze, homemade vegan mayo, and fried onion.

Tasty!!

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