A First Book of Japanese Cooking

by Masako Yamaoka

Book Overview

An introduction to authentic Japanese home-style cooking.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870116592
• ISBN13: 9780870116599
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.5" x 10.4"

Customer Reviews

Helpful for beginning Japanese Cooking

This predominantly black & White book does have a few colorful albeit dated pictures in the front. Japanese-style food is always beautiful though and it gives you an idea of the finished product. Throughout the book simple black and white drawings illustrate various techniques used to prepare a myriad of recipes. Simple instructions are easy to follow and there are many yummy recipes. A good book for beginners.

Both home cooking and party cooking in one place

This one is somewhere between home cooking and party cooking, with some recipes for each type. It also includes a section with menus in the back, describing which recipes to cook together for a yakitori party, several different scales of sushi party, a tempura party, a teppan/mixed grill party, and so forth. If you're looking for a book that hits both everyday home cooking and fancier home entertaining, this is a good book for it. If you're looking for just home cooking, you may want to look for other books like Naomi Kijima's Bento Boxes. (Full disclosure: I've semiprofessionally taught Japanese cooking classes.)

The most used book in my kitchen!

The information is easy to follow and ingredients aren't so obscure that you can't find them. I received this book as a gift almost ten years ago and it is still the most used cookbook in my kitchen. This was my first Japanese cookbook and now it's one of eight yet it's the one I go to first whenever I'm cooking Japanese.

Good Book--But Beginner Beware!

I bought this book while I was in Japan thinking it would be an easy introduction to Japanese cooking that an inspired but unskilled beginner like me could take on--that was a mistake! The book has lots of detailed description and ideas, including illustrations, but the author certainly doesn't cut corners for simplicity. Traditional Japanese home cooking takes time, preparation and practice, and for the most part the recipes in this book are no exception. However, if you're a fairly experienced cook already, and want to get a taste of what Japanese cuisine in all about, then this book is probably what you're looking for.

Easy to use, and a great way to start cooking Japanese!

This is a great book to get started with. It gives wonderful descriptions of the various ingredients, and it's instructions are easy to follow.