Grilled Tuna Perfection: The Yakimono Way

Yakimono: Grilled Tuna

Yakimono, a traditional Japanese method of grilling, is a cooking style that fully engages the senses and requires complete involvement. In this post, we will explore how to prepare grilled tuna, a dish where the technique of Yakimono is used to enhance the natural flavors of the fish.

Ingredients:

• For the Pickled Cucumber: 1 Japanese cucumber, 2% salt, 2 red shiso leaves, ½ tsp yuzu juice
• For the Grilled Tuna: 2 oz sake, 2 oz mirin, 4 oz soy sauce, 2 tsp grated ginger, 1 clove garlic (grated), 1 oz sugar, 4 small tuna steaks (about 3 oz each), 4 red shiso leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a shallow pan, heat sake and mirin over medium-high heat until the alcohol burns off (about 2-3 minutes). In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sugar. Add the heated sake-mirin mixture and stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Marinate the Tuna: Add the tuna steaks to the marinade and let them soak for 40 minutes.
3. Skewer the Tuna: Due to the size of the tuna steaks, use double skewers for each steak to prevent the meat from breaking apart.
4. Grilling the Tuna: Transfer the charcoal to your konro or grill. Divide the binchotan (traditional Japanese charcoal) into two stacks of different heights to create different heat levels. Grill each side of the tuna until the marinade caramelizes and turns golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Look for a balance between caramelized and non-caramelized parts.
5. Plating: Overlap two shiso leaves in the center of each plate. Place two overlapping grilled tuna steaks on top of the shiso. Add a small mound of pickled cucumber next to the tuna.

Serving and Enjoyment: The grilled tuna is best enjoyed immediately. The unique flavor imparted by the binchotan charcoal and the konro grill elevates the dish, making it a true representation of Japanese Yakimono cooking style. This grilled tuna recipe not only offers a delicious meal but also an experience in traditional Japanese grilling techniques​​​​.

Explore more information about Japanese cooking here.

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