Traditional Kushikatsu Recipe

2022-11-02

By Ramen Master

Japanese Cuisine

Main Course

Experience the delicious flavors of Japanese cuisine with this easy recipe for Kushikatsu. Golden brown and crispy pork skewers are perfect for a satisfying and comforting meal. 

food

A popular Japanese main course that originated in the Osaka region of Japan. Osaka is a bustling city located in central Japan, known for its vibrant food scene and street food culture. It is in this thriving culinary atmosphere that kushikatsu was born.The name comes from the Japanese word "kushi," meaning skewer, and "katsu," meaning cutlet.

food

 Kushikatsu is a dish consisting of skewered, breaded and deep-fried meat, seafood, and vegetables on bamboo skewers. The dish is made by dipping the skewered ingredients in a seasoned batter, rolling them in breadcrumbs, and deep-frying them to a golden brown. The result is a crispy, savory treat that is perfect for snacking or as a main course. 

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In Osaka, it is typically served at casual dining restaurants called kushikatsu-ya or at street food stalls called yatai. 

Pitfalls on Kushikatsu

 Achieving the perfect coating: the batter for Kushikatsu needs to be thin and crispy, but not too thick, as it can overwhelm the flavor of the ingredients.

 Maintaining the right temperature: the oil used to fry Kushikatsu needs to be at the right temperature. If it is too hot, the food can burn; if it is too cold, the coating can become greasy.

 Avoiding cross-contamination: Kushikatsu involves frying multiple types of ingredients, which can cause cross-contamination if the oil is not frequently changed or filtered.

 Choosing the right ingredients: certain ingredients, such as cheese or seafood, can be challenging to fry without the coating falling apart or the flavors becoming overpowering.

 Balancing flavors: Kushikatsu is often served with a savory sauce, but achieving a balance of flavors between the sauce and the fried ingredients can be challenging, as the coating can absorb too much sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes

• 8-10 bamboo skewers

• Flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs for coating

• Vegetable oil for frying

• Salt and pepper

• Tonkatsu sauce for dipping

Instructions

1. Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.

2. Season the pork cubes with salt and pepper.

3. Thread the pork cubes onto the bamboo skewers.

4. Dip the pork skewers in flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip them in the egg wash, followed by the panko breadcrumbs.

5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, place the skewers in the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

6. Once cooked, remove the skewers from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.

7. Serve hot with tonkatsu sauce for dipping.

8. Enjoy!

Preparation Time 20 min

Cook Time 30 min

Total time 50 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 480

Fat: 24 g

Saturated Fat: 6 g

Carbohydrates: 22 g

Fiber: 1 g

Sugar: 3 g

Protein: 42 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Kushikatsu 

Osaka, they use a variety of ingredients, such as beef, pork, shrimp, and vegetables, skewered on bamboo sticks, battered with breadcrumbs, and fried until crispy, creating a dish known simply as "Kushikatsu".

Hiroshima, they use oysters or scallops as the main ingredient of their Kushikatsu, and serve it with ponzu sauce, known as "Kaki Kushikatsu" or "Hotate Kushikatsu".

Tokyo, they use chicken as the main ingredient of their Kushikatsu, and serve it with a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, mirin (sweet sake), and sugar, creating a dish known as "Tori Kushikatsu".

Kagawa, they use cheese as the main ingredient of their Kushikatsu, and serve it with a spicy mustard sauce, creating a dish known as "Cheese Kushikatsu".

Nagoya, they use miso paste to flavor the batter used to coat the Kushikatsu, creating a unique nutty and savory flavor, creating a dish known as "Miso Kushikatsu".

Let your taste buds travel to Japan with this Kushikatsu recipe. Share your creation on social media with the hashtags #kushikatsu #Japanesefood #deepfried #porkskewers #tonkatsusauce #Kansai #hiverecipes.