Who doesn’t love teriyaki? This is a classic of Japanese cuisine that has been embraced enthusiastically all around the world.
This celebrated technique consists in grilling or broiling ingredients glazed with a sauce of such characteristic flavor that people use the term teriyaki interchangeably to refer both to the cooking style and the sauce.
Originally created as a way to prepare beef or fish, the appeal of this style knows no culinary boundaries. From pasta to hamburgers and everything in between, including corn dogs, there is almost no dish that hasn’t been given the teriyaki treatment at some point.
A Delicious “Glossy Broil”
Teriyaki means “glossy broil” or “glossy grill” in Japanese. In fact, this style was created sometime in the 17th century with grilling in mind. The sauce gives meat or fish a glistening appearance, hence the “glossy” part of its name. In some versions available in western countries, teriyaki is a marinade as well as a basting sauce.
The Original Recipe
The authentic version includes soy sauce and sake or mirin (sweet wine). Sometimes garlic and fresh ginger are also part of the mix. Again, the widespread adoption of the style has caused deviations from the original recipe. Cooks all over the world add their personal touch to teriyaki, usually influenced by regional taste. As a result, in some places dishes prepared with this technique have become almost a local food, Japanese only in name
Teriyaki Makes its Arrival to the U.S.
There is no official history of teriyaki, at least not yet. However, it’s safe to say that it arrived in the United States during the 1960s. In that decade Japanese restaurants popped up all over the country, and teriyaki quickly became one of the most popular dishes. It was only a matter of time for this versatile style to reach international stardom, and nowadays it’s shorthand for Japanese cuisine and can be found in almost any country.
At Creative Ideas Catering we love Japanese cuisine. We combine ideas from many culinary traditions to offer you a fascinating global fusion of flavors with a Latin touch.
We’re located in San Francisco, contact us today! Learn more about our teriyaki chicken skewers with pineapple, our teriyaki chicken thighs, and many other delicious options for your catered event.
Send us an email, or check online our enticing menus to learn more about our catering services and our dishes, all professionally prepared and beautifully presented.
