Creating a Japanese-themed dinner party allows you to share authentic and artful dishes with your guests. This curated menu combines classic Japanese flavours with a modern twist, making it perfect for a memorable evening. Each course includes a video demonstration, so you can easily recreate these flavours at home.
1. Miso Soup
No Japanese meal is complete without a warm bowl of miso soup. This comforting starter, made with dashi, miso paste, and a mix of tofu, seaweed, and spring onions, sets a relaxed tone for the meal. Miso soup is light yet flavourful, and its savoury umami notes will prime your guests’ palates for the courses ahead.
2. Aubergine Unagi
Our plant-based twist on traditional unagi (eel) features eggplant glazed with a sweet and savoury unagi-style sauce. This dish is soft and melt-in-the-mouth with the same smoky and rich flavours as the original. Perfect for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, vegan unagi is a star addition to any Japanese-inspired menu.
3. Classic Chicken Teriyaki
Chicken teriyaki is beloved for its glossy, flavour-packed glaze. Grilled or pan-fried chicken thighs are coated in a homemade teriyaki sauce that balances sweet, salty, and umami notes. Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions for extra texture. The dish is satisfying but not too heavy, so guests can savour every bite without feeling too full.
4. Sushi Platter
A vibrant sushi platter brings artistry to the table. Offer a mix of rolls, including classic cucumber maki, avocado rolls, and salmon or tuna nigiri for a variety of flavours and textures. If you’d like, include vegetarian rolls, such as shiitake mushroom and pickled radish. Display the sushi beautifully on a wooden board with pickled ginger, soy sauce, and a dash of wasabi.
5. Green Salad with Japanese Flair
For a fresh and vibrant green dish, try a kale or cabbage salad with a Japanese-inspired dressing. A sesame-soy vinaigrette, perhaps with a hint of yuzu, adds a bright and tangy element to the greens. Topped with sesame seeds, shredded carrots, or thinly sliced radishes, this salad provides a light contrast to the richer courses.
6. Japanese Cheesecake
End the meal on a delicately sweet note with Japanese cheesecake, renowned for its fluffy, airy texture. Unlike traditional cheesecake, this version is lighter, thanks to a blend of cream cheese, eggs, and whipped meringue. It’s the perfect, gently sweet finish, with a soft texture that almost melts on the tongue.
Other Dish Suggestions
If you’d like to add more variety, consider including a small plate of edamame sprinkled with sea salt for guests to snack on at the start. Tempura vegetables also add a delightful crunch and pair wonderfully with the meal’s other dishes. A pickled vegetable selection, such as pickled daikon or cucumber, is another authentic addition that complements the menu’s flavour balance.
Each of these dishes provides a unique taste of Japanese cuisine, and together they create a harmonious and diverse dinner experience. Whether you’re serving friends or family, this Japanese-inspired menu will transport your guests to the heart of Japan, one course at a time.
Pairing Drinks
Here are some drink suggestions to complement your Japanese-themed dinner party:
1. Sake
• Sake is a classic choice for a Japanese dinner, offering a variety of flavours from fruity to earthy. For a lighter option, consider a junmai ginjo sake, which is slightly fragrant and pairs well with sushi and lighter dishes. For something richer, a junmai daiginjo offers a complex flavour profile that complements dishes like eggplant unagi and chicken teriyaki.
• Serve sake slightly chilled in small cups, or warm it if your guests prefer a more traditional experience.
2. Japanese Plum Wine (Umeshu)
• Umeshu has a fruity, sweet profile that balances the savoury and umami flavours in the menu. It pairs beautifully with sushi, teriyaki, and the Japanese cheesecake, enhancing the meal’s flavours with a subtle sweetness.
• Serve over ice for a refreshing taste.
3. Green Tea
• For a non-alcoholic option, green tea is refreshing and brings a slight bitterness that complements the richness of the dishes. Matcha tea is also an option, offering a vibrant green colour and creamy taste that pairs well with desserts like Japanese cheesecake.
• Green tea can be served hot or cold depending on your guests’ preference.
4. Japanese Beer
• Japanese beers are crisp and light, making them a great pairing for sushi, tempura, and teriyaki. Their refreshing taste helps balance the savoury and sweet flavours throughout the meal.
• Serve chilled in small glasses for a traditional touch.
5. Shochu
• Shochu is a Japanese distilled spirit with a mild flavour, making it versatile for mixing or sipping. It can be served on the rocks, diluted with water, or mixed with juice. Lemon or yuzu-flavoured shochu cocktails bring a citrusy freshness that pairs well with both the salad and main dishes.
• Shochu is lower in alcohol than spirits like whisky, so it’s a lighter choice for guests who want to enjoy a slower sip.
6. Yuzu Sparkling Mocktail
• For a refreshing non-alcoholic option, a yuzu sparkling mocktail offers a zesty and fragrant taste. Mix yuzu juice with sparkling water and a touch of honey or agave syrup. The yuzu’s citrusy notes enhance the flavours in dishes like the kale or cabbage salad and miso soup.
• Serve over ice with a thin slice of lemon or yuzu peel for garnish.
These drink options add to the authentic Japanese dining experience, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices to suit every guest’s preference. Cheers to a delightful and flavour-filled evening!