Sakura Niku Jyaga: Heartwarming Japanese Beef Stew
Dive into the comforting world of Japanese cuisine with this Sakura Niku Jyaga, a delightful beef stew that's perfect for sharing. Combining tender sirloin steak with hearty vegetables like potatoes and carrots, this dish is simmered in a fragrant blend of dashi, sake, mirin, and soy sauce, creating a rich umami flavor that tantalizes the taste buds. The addition of shirataki noodles gives it a unique twist, making it a filling yet low-carb option. Serve this dish hot with a sprinkle of fresh green onions for a beautiful presentation that will transport you straight to an izakaya in Japan. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this dish is not just a meal, but an experience to savor and share.
N/A
Servings
125
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sirloin steak
1/2 lb (Thinly sliced)
Potatoes
3 (Cut into quarters and soaked in cold water)
Carrots
3 (Peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces)
Onion
1 (Halved and sliced into half rings)
Shirataki noodles
1 (7 ounce) package (Cut into 2-inch lengths)
Dashi (or water)
1 1/2 cups (Use as broth)
Sake
1/4 cup (Japanese rice wine)
Sugar
4 tablespoons (Regular granulated sugar)
Mirin (or 2 tbsp sake and 2 tsp sugar)
2 tablespoons (Sweet rice wine)
Soy sauce
5 tablespoons (Japanese soy sauce)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (For sautéing)
Green onion
1 (Chopped for garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by thinly slicing the sirloin steak and setting it aside. Cut the potatoes into quarters and soak them in cold water to prevent browning. Peel and cut the carrots into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
2
Prepare the shirataki noodles by cutting them into 2-inch lengths, and chop the onion into half rings by slicing from top to bottom.
3
In a spacious skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the sliced beef, stirring lightly until it’s just browned, ensuring not to overcook it.
4
Add the drained potatoes, carrots, onions, and shirataki noodles to the skillet. Stir-fry the mixture for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
5
Pour in the dashi or water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and cook until the potatoes are tender, which should take around 15 minutes.
6
Once the potatoes are soft, add in the sake, sugar, mirin, and soy sauce, stirring gently to combine. Allow the stew to cook uncovered over medium heat for another 15 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by half, intensifying the flavors.
7
Turn off the heat, and let the stew rest for at least 15 minutes. This resting period allows the vegetables to soak up the savory broth and enhances the overall taste.
8
Before serving, gently reheat the stew if needed. Ladle it into bowls and top with the freshly chopped green onions for a burst of color and flavor.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
11.25g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sakura Niku Jyaga?
Sakura Niku Jyaga is a heartwarming Japanese beef stew that combines tender sirloin steak with potatoes and carrots, simmered in a savory dashi-based broth.
What cut of beef is best for this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for 1/2 lb of thinly sliced sirloin steak.
How many potatoes are required?
The recipe requires 3 potatoes, which should be cut into quarters.
Why should I soak the potatoes in cold water?
Soaking the potatoes in cold water after cutting them helps prevent browning and removes excess starch.
How many carrots are used in this stew?
You will need 3 carrots, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces.
What type of noodles are included in Sakura Niku Jyaga?
The dish features a 7-ounce package of shirataki noodles, which are low-carb and have a unique texture.
How do I prepare the shirataki noodles?
The shirataki noodles should be cut into 2-inch lengths before being added to the skillet.
What can I use if I do not have dashi?
If dashi is unavailable, you can use 1 1/2 cups of water as a substitute for the broth.
How should the onion be sliced?
The onion should be halved and then sliced from top to bottom into half rings.
What is the first step in cooking the beef?
The first step is to heat vegetable oil in a spacious skillet and stir-fry the sliced beef until it is just browned.
How long do the vegetables need to simmer initially?
The vegetables should simmer in the dashi or water for approximately 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
What seasonings are added to the stew?
The stew is seasoned with sake, sugar, mirin, and Japanese soy sauce.
If I don't have mirin, what can I use?
You can substitute mirin with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of sake and 2 teaspoons of sugar.
How long is the second simmering stage?
After adding the seasonings, the stew should cook uncovered for another 15 minutes to reduce the liquid.
Why is it important to let the stew rest?
Resting the stew for at least 15 minutes allows the vegetables to fully soak up the savory broth and enhances the flavor.
What is the recommended garnish?
The dish is traditionally topped with freshly chopped green onions for a burst of color and flavor.
How many calories are in a serving of this beef stew?
There are approximately 125 calories per serving.
Is Sakura Niku Jyaga a low-carb dish?
Yes, it is considered a low-carb option, especially with the use of shirataki noodles, containing about 11.25g of carbohydrates.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 10g of protein.
How much fat is in this recipe?
Each serving contains about 5g of fat.
What type of oil should be used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is recommended for sautéing the beef and vegetables.
How much soy sauce is needed?
The recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of Japanese soy sauce.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is tagged as a great option for meal prep as the flavors often improve over time.
What kind of cuisine does this recipe belong to?
This is a classic example of Japanese cuisine, specifically a simmered dish known as Niku Jyaga.
What is the purpose of the sugar in this recipe?
The 4 tablespoons of sugar provide the characteristic sweetness found in traditional Japanese simmered dishes.
How do I ensure the beef stays tender?
Ensure you do not overcook the beef during the initial browning phase to keep it tender.
Can I reheat this stew?
Yes, you should gently reheat the stew before serving if it has been resting or stored.
What equipment is needed for this recipe?
A spacious skillet is the primary piece of equipment needed to accommodate the beef, vegetables, and broth.
How much sake is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of Japanese rice wine (sake).
What makes this dish an 'izakaya' style meal?
Its rich umami flavor and comforting nature make it a popular staple found in Japanese izakayas (informal pubs).