Ginger Pork, Shogayaki
Easy to Make, A Very Filling & Savory Dish
Syogayaki Teishoku is a beloved Japanese dish that forms an integral part of the Teishoku set meal. With its combination of a main dish, rice, soup, and a side vegetable dish, Teishoku offers a wholesome and satisfying dining experience. When I worked in Japan, I often indulged in Syogayaki teishoku for lunch.
This savory dish perfectly complements cooked rice, leaving you feeling satisfied and content. In this blog post, we will explore a simple yet delicious recipe for Syogayaki Teishoku, complete with step-by-step instructions. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds!
RECIPE
Servings: 4-5
Time: 10 min
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Cut the onion into thin slices, and finely chop the ginger. Set them aside for later use.
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add some sesame oil, the sliced onion and stir-fry it until it becomes slightly caramelized.
Add the thin-sliced pork to the pan, along with the sake and ginger. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fully cooked and has a slightly browned appearance.
Once the pork is cooked, pour in the soy sauce and mix well. Allow the dish to simmer for a minute or two, ensuring that the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
A Dish Rooted in Tradition : Ginger Pork, Shogayaki traces its roots back to the Edo period in Japan, where it emerged as a popular dish among the commoners. During this time, pork became more readily available and affordable, leading to its incorporation into various regional cuisines. Ginger, with its aromatic and medicinal properties, was a common ingredient used to enhance the flavors of dishes. It was during this period that the combination of pork and ginger found its way into the culinary repertoire of the Japanese people, giving birth to Shogayaki.
The term "Shogayaki" itself refers to the cooking method of stir-frying meat with ginger. “shoga” is ginger, “yaki” stands for grilled. The dish gained prominence as a simple and satisfying meal, characterized by its tender pork slices infused with the delightful flavors of ginger.
Over the years, Shogayaki evolved and adapted to different regional preferences within Japan. While the basic components remained the same - thinly sliced pork, ginger, and soy sauce - variations emerged in the seasonings and cooking techniques used. Some regions opted for a sweeter version of Shogayaki, incorporating mirin or sugar, while others preferred a spicier rendition with the addition of chili peppers or garlic.
Syogayaki is a classic Japanese dish that embodies simplicity, flavor, and nourishment. By following the easy recipe provided above, you can recreate this delicious meal in the comfort of your own kitchen. Impress your family and friends with a dish that not only satisfies the taste buds but also transports them to the vibrant streets of Japan.
