We’re only recently starting to get to grips with just how many different types of cuisine Japan is home to here in the UK. Sushi is what we first think of, but then there’s those warming bowls of ramen, light and airy tempura, high-end seasonal kaiseki tasting menus and the fast, delicious dishes served in izakayas – Japan’s answer to bar food.
For a dinner party with a difference, there’s no better cuisine to choose than Japanese. Always beautiful, always full of flavour and always full of interesting ingredients, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with plenty of opportunities to impress. And with more and more Japanese ingredients becoming available in the big supermarkets, it’s never been easier to put together an authentic menu.
Scott Hallsworth is a chef known for his izakaya-inspired food, throwing together high-end Japanese techniques and ingredients with fun, playful, ‘junk food-esque’ flair. His three recipes take the foods we know – sashimi, fried chicken and crème brulée – and make them even better. If you’re looking to really wow at your next dinner party, serve these up and inject a bit of fun into the evening.
