Otsumami: Japanese small bites & appetizers
More than 70 recipes for moreish Japanese small plates and bites, designed to be enjoyed alongside a drink, plus tips on presentation and menu planning.
Otsumami is the Japanese term given to snacks and simple dishes, designed to be eaten alongside a drink. (‘Tsumamu’ means to grab something with your fingers or chopsticks so any foods that can be eaten easily in this way came to be known as ‘otsumami’.) They are common at izakaya bars, pubs and at house parties in Japan — even if you are at home having a snack with your evening drink, you are still enjoying otsumami! There are countless delicious flavour pairings to be enjoyed and included here are small bites and dishes to tempt everyone, from existing devotees of Japanese food to new-comers keen to discover more. Popular ingredients such as dashi, ponzu, miso, soy, teriyaki and more, all make an appearance in a myriad of mouth-watering morsels including dips, pickles and salads, gyoza and tempura, sushi and sashimi, plus beautifully presented meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan plates. Also included is a basic guide to Japanese beverages, and deliciously inventive cocktail recipes.
Atsuko Ikeda is a Japanese chef, writer and food photographer. She was born in Kyushu, a southern island of Japan also known as ‘Food Island’ and famous for its fresh seafood. After travelling the world, she was inspired to teach people to cook authentic Japanese dishes miles away from home and has been teaching in the UK since 2008. She is founder and owner of Atsuko’s Kitchen, offering catering and sell-out classes in Japanese cookery, and also teaches at the esteemed Divertimenti cookery school.