36 delicious umami recipes from around the world
Classic Japanese yakitori featuring tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken thigh and skin, grilled to perfection and brushed with a rich, sweet-savory tare sauce. Traditionally cooked over binchōtan charcoal for a distinct smoky flavor.
Natto is a traditional Japanese breakfast food made from fermented soybeans. It is known for its strong smell, sticky, stringy texture, and umami flavor. While divisive, it's highly nutritious and a staple in Japanese cuisine.
Tsukemen is a style of ramen where cold, chewy noodles are dipped into a separate, rich, and concentrated hot broth. This offers a distinct textural and flavor experience compared to traditional ramen.
Tender, grilled freshwater eel fillets coated in a rich, sweet, and savory glaze (tare), traditionally served over steamed rice. A classic Japanese summer delicacy known for its invigorating properties.
A classic Japanese comfort food featuring thinly sliced beef and sweet onions simmered in a savory-sweet soy-based sauce, served generously over fluffy steamed rice. Often topped with a soft-cooked or raw egg for added richness.
A classic Vietnamese comfort food from the Mekong Delta, this dish features tender catfish steaks braised in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet caramelized sauce, traditionally cooked in a clay pot. The deep umami flavor is balanced by the aromatic shallots, garlic, and a hint of spice from chilies.
A classic Japanese hot pot dish featuring thinly sliced beef and various vegetables simmered in a sweet and savory soy-based broth. Each bite is dipped into a raw egg yolk for a rich, creamy finish.
A simple and quick method for making Japanese pickles (tsukemono) using Napa cabbage. These pickles are a staple accompaniment to many Japanese meals, offering a refreshing, salty, and slightly tangy counterpoint to richer dishes. This recipe focuses on a fast pickling technique.
A comforting and flavorful one-pot Japanese rice dish, featuring rice cooked with chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and root vegetables. Perfect for an autumn meal.
A luxurious and quick Hong Kong classic, these noodles are tossed in a rich, umami-packed XO sauce, featuring dried shrimp, scallops, and cured ham. Perfectly chewy noodles, crisp bean sprouts, and tender greens create a delightful texture and flavor combination.
Crispy, deep-fried tofu served in a warm, savory dashi-based broth. A classic and comforting izakaya (Japanese pub) appetizer.
A luxurious and deeply flavorful Kyoto specialty featuring black cod marinated in a sweet and savory white miso paste. This technique, popularized globally, results in incredibly tender, flaky fish with a beautiful caramelized exterior.
Tender, succulent pork ribs steamed to perfection with the savory, umami-rich flavor of fermented black beans and garlic. This classic Cantonese dish is a staple in dim sum and a beloved home-cooked meal.
A classic Japanese side dish, Hijiki no Nimono features rehydrated hijiki seaweed simmered with thinly sliced vegetables and seasoned with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. It's a nutritious and flavorful accompaniment, often found in bento boxes.
Hanoi's iconic grilled pork dish, featuring smoky, caramelized pork patties and belly served in a sweet, savory, and tangy dipping sauce (nuoc cham) alongside fresh rice vermicelli noodles and a generous assortment of fresh herbs.
A classic Japanese side dish featuring thinly julienned burdock root and carrot, braised in a savory-sweet soy sauce and mirin glaze. It's known for its slightly chewy texture and umami-rich flavor, often with a hint of spice.
Nam Prik Pao is a versatile and essential Thai condiment, often described as a roasted chili jam. It's a complex blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, used as a dipping sauce, a spread, or a base for countless Thai dishes like Tom Yum soup and Pad Krapow.
A delicate and silky steamed egg custard, traditionally served as an elegant appetizer or side dish. This version features tender shrimp and chicken, with the option of ginkgo nuts for an authentic touch.
A quintessential Lao condiment, Jaew Bong is a rich, savory, and spicy chili paste with a complex flavor profile. Traditionally made with dried chilies, garlic, shallots, galangal, and often dried buffalo skin, it's a versatile dip for sticky rice, grilled meats, and vegetables.
A quick and intensely flavorful Hong Kong-style stir-fry featuring premium XO sauce. This dish is an umami bomb, perfect for showcasing any protein or even noodles.
A classic Thai royal appetizer featuring crispy, puffed rice crackers served with a rich, savory-sweet coconut milk and pork dip. This dish offers a delightful contrast in textures and a complex flavor profile.
A popular Chinese-Indonesian stir-fried noodle dish featuring flat rice noodles, a savory sauce, and your choice of protein and vegetables. This recipe is quick, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight meal.
A classic Thai stir-fry featuring the satisfying crunch of crispy pork belly and the slightly bitter, tender stalks and leaves of Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan), coated in a savory, umami-rich sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and offers a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors.
Ginataang Kuhol is a traditional Filipino dish featuring freshwater snails (kuhol) simmered in a rich and savory coconut milk sauce. It's seasoned with garlic, onions, ginger, and often includes chili peppers for a bit of heat and bagoong (shrimp paste) for umami depth. This dish is a unique and flavorful taste of rural Filipino cuisine.
