Japanese Hot Pots: Comforting One-Pot Meals

Wholesome, delicious Japanese comfort food, hot pot cooking satisfies the universal desire for steaming, gratifying and hearty meals the whole family can enjoy. In Japanese Hot Pots, chef Tadashi Ono and food journalist Harris Salat demystify this communal eating tradition for American home cooks with belly-warming dishes from all corners of Japan. Using savory broths and healthy, easy-to-find ingredients such as seafood, poultry, greens, roots, mushrooms, and noodles, these classic one-pot dishes require minimal fuss and preparation, and no special equipment—they’re simple, fast recipes to whip up either on the stove or on a tableside portable burner, like they do in Japan.

Customer Reviews:

Authentic home-style Japanese hot pot meals

By T. Goff "Retired Sailor Chick" - November 6, 2009

After living in Japan for three years, I was pining for something Japanese besides sushi. This book more than fills that need. It is beautifully laid out with lots of photos and easy-to-follow directions. The authors recognize that some of the ingredients and tools for these recipes could be difficult to find, so not only do they give suitable substitutes, they also provide websites of vendors who carry the unique items. There are plenty of sidebars offering explanations of why some things are done a certain way, including the right way to slice cabbage and why hot pot ingredients are added in a particular order. Another thing I love about a cookbook is when I can learn something about the dish, along with getting the recipe. I enjoy learning the origin of the recipe and/or why it's unique to a certain region. EVERY RECIPE has a story to go with it and many have serving options along with suggested side dishes.

Japanese hot pot meals are very family-oriented. In a... read more

Japanese comfort food

By Lisa "Lisa" - October 16, 2009

I grew up in Japan and this is authentic Japanese comfort food. Throw everything in one pot like a slow cooker but the best part is that you don't have to wait for hours for it to cook like in a slow cooker - everything is cooked in real time while you and your guests sit cozily around a table. There are recipes for vegetarians, seafood lovers and meat eaters. The photos are numerous and inspires one to call friends and get together.

Easy to follow and Easy to make

By 77Mini - October 26, 2009

I have been following Harris Salat's blog for about 6 months and have been awaiting the arrival of the book anxiously. So far it has not disappointed. I have only done 2 of the recipes so far. Luckily (like the book states a number of time) these recipes do not mind being adjusted for tastes and available ingredients. And yet with common sense they turned out fantastic. Right now using cast iron dutch oven but will probably invest in either a chinese clay pot or a japanese danabe.