The native guide; All about unique Japan google.com, pub-5441866818918003, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 You can serve it immediately, but, it’ll be more flavorful once the dish cools down. Let it reheat and serve. | Japanmcconnell

[Instant Pot/ Pressure Cooker/ Stovetop] NIKUJYAGA: Japanese Potato AND Pork Stew?… It’s A Side Dish

Japanese potato and pork stew, nikujaga, potato dish, Japanese food recipe Food & Recipes

I am not sure that this Japanese potato dish is called “stew”, however, it seems it is called on websites…

Nikujaga-which we call in Japanese, basically, is a side dish simmered mainly potato (and carrots, thread konjac) and little meat (pork or beef).

If you believe that some recipes explain Nikujaga as the Japanese-style beef stew, you maybe get disappointed.

Repeatedly, Japanese potato and meat stew is not a rich heavy stew, it’s a simmered potato dish, and even it doesn’t need to cook long.

Nikujaga literally means “meat and potatoes” despite the dish is made of almost potatoes.

Niku means “meat” and jaga is the short version of “potatoes” in Japanese.

It’s a popular comfort side dish in Japanese home cooking that you can cook quickly and deliciously with a salty-sweet flavor.

Commonly in Japan, the meat used for Nikujaga differs from region to region, from family to family.

So, pick pork or beef (even canned tuna, bacon, canned corn beef,) to your taste.

I grow up with my Mom’s potato and pork Nikujaga, so I use pork shoulder or belly in this recipe.

Lean meat is not the best choice to make Nikujaga since we need to add flavor to the potatoes and the meat will be chewy.

If you like to use beef, slice rib eye steak or cut out fatty marble parts of beef roast.

You can use your choice of potatoes- If you like soft and fluffy, use Russet potatoes. If you like creamy, use Yukon gold.

Japanese potato and pork stew, nikujaga, potato dish, Japanese food recipe

“Nikiujaga” Simmered potato and pork : Japanese Comfort Side Dish

Rico McConnellRico McConnell
"Japanese pork and potato stew" called "Nikujaga" is not the main dish, which is a popular comfort side dish. It is not a dish to enjoy the soup although it is cooked with the Japanese basic broth. Technically, the main ingredient is potatoes. Easy to cook, quick and savory side dish for any occasion such as weeknight and weekend dinners, and gatherings.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • 1 Instant pot/pressure cooker

Ingredients  

  • 2 lb potatoes (6 potatoes)
  • 1 lb pork shoulder or pork belly, sliced *bacon can be substituted
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 onion
  • vegetable oil for cooking

Dashi Broth

  • 2-2.5 cups homemade Kombu dashi *or 2-2.5 cups of water + 1 TSP Hondashi powder
  • cup Japanese sake or white wine
  • cup dark soy sauce
  • cup raw cane sugar
  • 2 pinches of salt

Instructions 

  • how to make kombu dashi, dashi, Japanese dashi, kelp, dashi kelp
  • Cut potatoes into quarters or 6 pieces. Avoid cutting them too small. Soak pieces in cold water for 10 minutes and drain.
  • Cut carrots into chunks, and cut the onion into wedges while leaving the core so that the onion layers likely hold together.

Make Nikuhaga With Instant pot or Pressure cooker

  • Use "saute" mode in Instant pot. Add the vegetable oil and pork.
  • Start cooking the meat in a cold inner pot since the meat will not stick on the bottom.
    Cook the pork until they turn color.
  • Add potatoes, carrots, and onions, then, stir.
  • Add dashi broth and sake or white wine, and bring them to a boil. Then, add dark soy sauce, and sugar, then, bring them to a boil.
    *Place a drop-lid or Otshibuta lid. *How to make a paper drop lid.
    Turn off the saute mode.
  • Close the lid, and set the "pressure cook", HIGH, for 7 minutes.
    Wait for the pressure being released naturally.

Make Nikujaga On The Stovetop

  • Oil a deep large skillet or pot, and sauté the meat on medium-high heat until it changes color.
  • Add potatoes, carrots, and onions, then, stir.
  • Add dashi broth and sake or white wine, and bring them to a boil. Then, add dark soy sauce, and sugar, then, bring them to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Put a drop-lid, and simmer for 20 minutes until the vegetable is cooked.
    *How to make a paper drop lid.
    *Make sure the broth is boiling with bubbles while adjusting the heat.
    *Yet, avoid cooking the potatoes over high heat since they'll fall apart.
    What's Otoshibuta Drop Lid Used For And Why
  • Turn off the heat.
  • You can serve it immediately, but, it'll be more flavorful once the dish cools down.
    Let it reheat and serve.

Video

Notes

©Japanmcconnell/Rico McConnell- Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
 
Keyword dashi kelp, Easy, Hondashi, Instantpot, Potato, pressure cook, Sake, Soy sauce, Traditional, Vegetables

You May Also Like…

POTATO RECIPES

Simple Is The Best Classic Japanese Potato Salad With Egg

Japanese potato salad, chunky mashed potatoes, cucumbers, onions, eggs, aaaaand Japanese Kewpie Mayo. Savory creamy starchy Japanese-style potato salad is so addictive. Throw in it—leftover veggies, or frozen corn, or you can skip some of the ingredients—making them perfect for cozy weekday dinners or as a side in a party spread! *TAKE A PEEK AT THE RECIPE

Japanese Potato Croquettes: Japanese-Style Deep-Fried Panko Mashed Potato Cake Is So Delicious

Japanese fried potato cakes aka Korokke. One of the famous comfort food in Japan. A crispy Panko and savory natural sweet filling are delicious and addictive, often served as a main dish (!), Obento item, the filling for a sandwich, and Izakaya nibble. *TAKE A PEEK AT THE RECIPE

Easy Quick Sweet Potato Recipe In Japanese Home Cooking: Lemon Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes simmered with refreshing lemon slices often is served in vegetable side dishes, Obento items, and kaiseki cuisine in Japan. Generally, we use SATSUMAIMO, Japanese sweet potatoes, but, you can use regular sweet potatoes if it’s available. Soak sliced sweet potatoes in cold water after cutting because they’ll quickly turn black when exposed to air. Simmer the sweet potatoes over low heat for the savory sweet! sweet! potato dish. Store in the refrigerator and consume within 4-5 days. Lemon sweet potato leftovers can be turned into other dishes while mashing them to make sweet potato pie or casserole dishes. *TAKE A PEEK AT THE RECIPE

INSTANT POT & PRESSURE COOKER RECIPES

Japanese-Style Beef Cheek Stew With Nagoya Miso Sauce

Easy slow cooking- This Japanese-style beef cheek stew combines rich red miso & red wine to make a flavorful appetizer. It is the staple Izakaya appetizer in Japan. Not only for the appetizer but also, can provide a savory melt-in-your-mouth topping on a rice bowl. This recipe is inspired by famous Nagoya local food called Dote-it’s originally Japanese beef tendon stew. The rich red miso flavor will definitely bring you an appetite. *GO FOR THE RECIPE

Japanese-Style Pork Neckbones; Instant pot recipe

Juicy Tender and savory pork neckbones-Japanese pork belly dish “buta no kakuni” inspired. Use an instant pot (or a pressure cooker), easy to cook, for only 20 minutes. These Mini Tacos are the perfect appetizer for parties, family gatherings, and football tailgates! These mini tacos are simple to make after making my Japanese-style pork neck bone, no need for extra spices outside of salsa or pico de gallo, it can always get attention and compliments! *GO FOR THE RECIPE

Homemade Japanese Super Food Natto

Famous Japanese superfood. Rich in vitamin K2. Bring health & beauty to life! Using an instant pot, making natto is easy and saves money. Eating natto daily to get healthy life. *LET’S BE HEALTHY WITH MY NATTO RECIPE

Copied title and URL