Teriyaki

Teriyaki is a cooking technique used in Japanese cuisine in which foods are broiled or grilled with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.

Etymology

The word teriyaki derives from the noun teri, which refers to a shine or luster given by the sugar content in the tare, and yaki, which refers to the cooking method of grilling or broiling.

Ingredients

Traditional teriyaki sauce ingredients include:

• Soy sauce: A liquid condiment of Chinese origin, made from a fermented paste of soybeans, roasted grain, brine, and Aspergillus oryzae or Aspergillus sojae molds.
• Mirin: A type of rice wine similar to sake, but with a lower alcohol content and higher sugar content.
• Sugar: A sweet-tasting, crystalline food product.

Preparation

In teriyaki, the ingredients are mixed and heated to form a glaze. The meat or other food is marinated in the sauce and then grilled, broiled, or pan-fried.

Variations

In the West, teriyaki sauce often has additional ingredients such as sesame oil, garlic, or ginger. It is commonly used as a marinade or a dipping sauce. In Hawaii, a variation of teriyaki called teriyaki chicken is popular, which consists of chicken thighs marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce and then grilled.

See also

• Japanese cuisine
• Soy sauce
• Mirin
• Hawaiian cuisine