Teriyaki Tonight
Estimated Grocery Cost: $30–$60, approx. $3.75~$7.50 per serving.
Teriyaki I knew growing up and the teriyaki I find at restaurants in the U.S. are… not the same.
In Japan, teriyaki isn’t a heavy, syrupy sauce poured over everything. It’s lighter, gentler, and somehow both savory and comforting at the same time. When I was a kid, teriyaki night meant my mother searing chicken in a pan while the house filled with the aroma of soy sauce and just a touch of sweetness. It wasn’t a “big event” - it was simple home cooking, the kind that makes you reach for one more bite without thinking.
Teriyaki Tonight brings that home-style Japanese flavor to your kitchen: familiar, comforting, and just a little different from what you’ve tasted before.
Exploring teriyaki options
Steamed white rice is the best friend
Garlic works well with Chicken
Ginger works well with Pork
Salmon, I usually make it without
When cooking pork this way, we call it Pork Ginger or Shougayaki. That's why you don't see 'Pork Teriyaki' on Japanese restaurant menu.
Do you like Garlic, Ginger, or Neither?
About the teriyaki sauce
It's basically a mixture of Soy sauce, Sake, and Mirin
I can make it Gluten Free by choosing the GF Soy Sauce
When to make it syrupy and when not to...
This is based on preference.. I like syrupy sauce for salmon but not for the others.
Pick Your Protein
Chicken
Pork
Salmon
4 cups dry rice (≈ 8 cups cooked)
Enough for dinner + leftovers
I supply rice on per cup basis so you don't have to buy a big bag of rice only to use just a portion of it
A typical bowl of steamed rice is about ½ cup (cooked) however, everyone tends to eat more rice with curry. So 1 cup per person is how I calculate the amount needed.
Make your own teriyaki sauce
Good-by pre-mixed teriyaki sauce!
A bottle of teriyaki sauce never had a chance in my fridge or cupboard because it's so easy to make. A good start point is to mix equal parts of the 3 ingredients, then add sugar.
If you like the syrupy texture, that can be introduced when you are cooking by adding corn starch or potato starch. A tea spoon mixed with same amount of water is a good start point.
All you need is Soy Sauce, Mirin (Japanese rice wine), and Sake (for Cooking).
Recommended Sides
Miso Soup
Cucumber (Classic choice)
Napa Cabbage and Carrot (Also popular)
Adding wakame or konbu seaweed
Roasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top
They are the all classic combinations. If you've never had it, flavoring is mild and slightly sweet. I recommend the combination of cucumber and wakame seaweed.
Sunomono (rice vinegar marinated salad)
The type of Miso will be dictated by what the local supermarket offers
There are Red Miso, White Miso and Awase (Blend) Miso. The red tends to be higher in sodium content but not always the case. I can reduce the amount of miso used in cooking if you are on low sodium diet.
Japanese Potato Salad
Potatoes
Cucumber
Carrots
Onion
Ham
Hard Boiled Eggs
Mayonnaise
A few additional flavoring
The mix-ins can be adjusted to match your preference
Dietary Considerations
Teriyaki can be made Gluten Free upon request.
The amount of salt used in the dishes can also be adjusted.
Drink Considerations (BYOB)
Beer
White or Red Wine
Sake
Green tea