Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen

by Elizabeth Andoh
Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Cookbooks / Food Writing
Technical
  • ID: 1025
  • Added: 2025-09-24
  • Updated: 2025-09-24
  • ISBN: 9780307813558
  • Publisher: Ten Speed Press
  • Published: 2012-02-28
  • Reviews: 3

Washoku is a deeply personal tribute to the rich culinary tradition of Japan, written by Elizabeth Andoh, a graduate of the prestigious Yanagihara School of classical cuisine. This book explores the ethos of washoku, offering a nuanced approach to balancing flavor, technique, and aesthetics with nutrition. Andoh's comprehensive chapter on the Japanese pantry is a treasure trove of knowledge, complemented by stunning full-color photography./n/nThe recipes for soups, rice dishes, noodles, meat and poultry, seafood, and desserts are models of clarity and precision. Andoh provides rich cultural context and practical notes to help readers master the rhythm and flow of the washoku kitchen. Much more than just a collection of recipes, Washoku is a journey through a cuisine that is as handsome as it is healthful, making it a must-read for any food enthusiast.

Reviews
Serious Eats · 2025-09-24
incomplete 3.00

The book is authoritative but feels incomplete due to the limited number of recipes in each section.

The reviewer acknowledges the book's authoritative nature but criticizes it for offering too few recipes in each section. For example, there are only fifteen recipes for fish and ten for other categories. This leaves the reader wanting more, as the book feels like it should be more comprehensive given its authoritative tone. Despite this, the recipes provided are well-regarded for their clarity and utility.

Quick quotes

    The book feels like it should be as complete as it is authoritative.

    It offers only a few recipes in each of its sections.

    Fifteen recipes for fish. Ten for other categories.

Gilded Fork · 2025-04-18
comprehensive 4.50

The recipes are accessible to any good cook, even those unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine, and the book provides a comprehensive guide to stocking a Japanese pantry.

The reviewer highlights that the recipes in this book are manageable for any skilled cook, regardless of their familiarity with Japanese cooking. They particularly appreciate the detailed guidance on stocking a Japanese pantry, which includes glossy photos of ingredients. This makes the book not just a cookbook but also a useful resource for understanding the essentials of Japanese cuisine. The clarity and precision of the recipes are noted as standout features.

Quick quotes

    All the recipes are easily manageable by any good cook.

    The book provides a comprehensive guide to stocking a Japanese pantry.

    The recipes for soups, rice dishes, and noodles are models of clarity and precision.

In My Box - WordPress.com · 2009-03-16
educational 4.50

The book is praised for being part cookbook and part comprehensive guide to Japanese pantry ingredients, enhanced by gorgeous photos.

The reviewer appreciates the dual nature of the book as both a cookbook and a guide to Japanese pantry ingredients. The inclusion of glossy photos of ingredients is particularly noted as a highlight. This makes the book not just practical for cooking but also visually appealing and educational. The reviewer finds it to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese cuisine.

Quick quotes

    Washoku, the book, is part cookbook, part comprehensive Japanese pantry-stocking and ingredients guide.

    With gorgeous, glossy photos of all the ingredients.

    A valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese cuisine.

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