Make it Japanese
David Strunk is an educator who spent three years as an English teacher in Japan. Outside the classroom, David is an avid home cook, often experimenting with recipes inspired by his time abroad.
At age 21, I was in Amakusa, Japan, during a local festival celebrating the octopus harvest.
As a newcomer teaching English through the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme, I knew little about the Japanese language or culture. I was exploring the festival when I came across a stall with a fantastic aroma. Curious, I watched chefs in white shirts and towels around their heads expertly cook yakisoba. They tossed noodles with fresh ingredients and pork belly on a hot teppan grill with a splash of savory sauce. They handed me my first taste of this delicious stir-fried dish, and from that moment, I was hooked.
Food is a great way to learn about a culture, and if you’re interested in Japanese cooking, Make it Japanese—Simple Recipes for Everyone is a must-have book. The author, Rie McClennan, moved from Japan to the United States and understands how to translate recipes for an American audience. It is a cookbook that reflects her journey as a Japanese woman living abroad for many years. She helps beginners learn how to cook Japanese food at home. The book explains how to stock a Japanese pantry, learn essential cooking techniques, and follow easy recipes. It makes Japanese cooking approachable and fun, helping the reader dive into this flavorful and diverse cuisine.
Japanese cooking is based on the idea of “shun,” which means using ingredients when they are in season.
Focusing on fresh, high-quality ingredients is a big part of what makes Japanese food exceptional, and Make it Japanese includes recipes like refreshing cucumber and fennel sunomono (crisp and refreshing sliced cucumbers in vinegar) and hearty yakisoba with pork and vegetables. Each recipe highlights the freshness and quality of the ingredients, celebrating the simple and natural flavors of Japanese cuisine.
Inspired by my first taste of yakisoba, I decided to make it myself.
I gathered my ingredients: dry yakisoba noodles,, thinly sliced pork belly, bell peppers, onions, carrots, and bean sprouts. I purchased the fresh noodles at my local supermarket, but the author includes a hack to substitute spaghetti in the recipe. I cooked the vegetables and pork in a hot pan, adding the noodles when the vegetables were almost done. For the sauce, which is the key to great yakisoba, I mixed soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a bit of ketchup. The sauce smelled amazing as it cooked, reminding me of Japan’s busy street markets and lively izakayas.
Finally, I added the finishing touches: a sprinkle of bonito flakes (dried fish flakes) and some chopped green onions. These simple garnishes made the dish even better, adding flavor and a nice look.
Taking my first bite of the homemade yakisoba, I was instantly transported back to the vibrant street in Amakusa, filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of Japanese food. Each bite reminded me of my love for Japanese cooking and inspired me to keep exploring this amazing cuisine. Make it Japanese is more than just a cookbook. It’s a guide that helps you appreciate and enjoy Japanese culinary traditions. Dorie Greenspan wrote in the book’s title page: “Make it Japanese is the literary equivalent of umami.”
Accessible for any level of home cook, Make it Japanese offers appealing and easy to follow recipes that celebrate the beauty of Japanese cuisine, one delicious dish at a time. 
David Strunk
David Strunk is a Philadelphia School District educator dedicated to student success and innovative teaching methods. David spent three years as an English teacher in Japan, an experience that profoundly influenced his approach to education and cross-cultural understanding. David is an avid home cook and an experienced pizza chef whose passion for teaching and cooking reflects his commitment to continuous learning and creativity in all aspects of life.
Read more from David StrunkYakisoba Japanese Noodle Recipe
Rie McClenny is a food content creator, video host and cookbook author. Her debut cookbook, “Make It Japanese,” is now available wherever books are sold.
My grandmother’s kissaten (Japanese tearoom and cafe) served yakisoba –pan-fried noodles coated in a slightly sweet, savory sauce– on a sizzling plate, and whenever I cook yakisoba today, the smell reminds me of my childhood and all the hours spent with her at the kissaten. It’s a quick meal that you can throw together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weekday lunch or dinner. The fried egg is optional but highly recommended as the runny yolk becomes part of the sauce and adds a delicious richness. Yakisoba noodles can be found at Japanese or Asian grocery stores, and you can also buy premade yakisoba sauce, but I’m never able to finish the bottle before it expires. So I’ve started making my own with pantry items.
Adapted* from Make it Japanese by Rie McClenny, with Sanaë Lemoine, photographs by Jeni Afuso, Clarkson Potter Publishers, NY 2023
*Metric conversions provided by The Cook’s Cook.
- Servings 4
Ingredients
For the yakisoba sauce:
- 60 ml (¼ cup) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
For the yakisoba noodles:
- 8 slices bacon (227 grams/8 ounces total), cut into 2.5 cm (1-inch) pieces
- 4 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
- 2 carrots, thinly sliced on a diagonal
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 227 grams (8 ounces/about 2 cups) green cabbage, cut into 2.5 cm (1-inch) pieces
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 624 grams (22 ounces) fresh yakisoba, chow mein, or ramen noodles (see Spaghetti Baking Soda Hack; recipe follows)
- 4 fried eggs (optional), for serving
Yakisoba is traditionally made with thinly sliced pork belly, which is harder to find in the US. I use bacon instead, which makes the dish a bit saltier. Make sure to taste as you season with salt.
Spaghetti Baking Soda Hack
If you can’t find fresh yakisoba or ramen noodles, try my spaghetti baking soda hack: Add baking soda to the pasta water, which will turn spaghetti a shade darker and provide the flavor and springy texture of ramen.
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons baking soda and 8 ounces dried spaghetti and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain the spaghetti and rinse well under cold running water.
2. When cooking the spaghetti, place chopsticks or a wooden spoon over the pot. It’ll keep the water from boiling over the edges of the pot. (When you add baking soda to the water, the water will boil over even more.)
Preparation
1. For the yakisoba sauce: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mirin, and hoisin sauce. Set aside.
2. For the yakisoba noodles: Add the bacon to a cold large nonstick skillet. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook until the bacon is crispy, about 4 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a medium bowl.
3. To the same skillet, add the scallion whites and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the carrots and onion and cook until the onion is translucent, about 1 minute. Add the cabbage and scallion greens and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the bacon.
4. To the same skillet, add the yakisoba noodles, stirring to separate the noodles. Cook until slightly crispy, about 3 minutes. Add the yakisoba sauce and toss to combine. Return the vegetables and bacon to the skillet and toss to combine.
5. Divide the noodles among four bowls. If desired, top each one with a fried egg.
Tips
- When you cook bacon, start with a cold skillet. This way, you can slowly render the fat, and the bacon will become evenly crispy.
- It’s important to cook the vegetables and noodles separately to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
Rie McClenny
Rie McClenny is a food content creator, video host and cookbook author. Her debut cookbook, “Make It Japanese,” is now available wherever books are sold.
Read more from Rie McClenny
