
Agemono: Deep Fried Japanese Food
While ramen and sushi are commonly linked with Japanese food, one of the most significant subcategories is frequently disregarded outside Japan. Agemono, which in Japanese cuisine refers to any deep-fried dish, includes three basic frying methods: suage, in which foods are fried without a coating of flour or batter; karaage, in which foods are coated in flour or arrowroot starch before frying, preserving their natural water content and resulting in a crispy outer surface; and koromo-age, in which foods are coated in the batter before frying, resembling tempura dishes.
Suage is commonly used for frying freshwater fish, eggplant, green peppers, and other vegetables whose color, texture, and shape can be used effectively. Koromo-age works best with seasonal fish, shellfish, and vegetables. Agemono features every type of fried cuisine, including nan banzuke, korokke (croquette), and tonkatsu, in addition to the well-known tempura and our favorite fried chicken dish, karaage.
Before being fried in vegetable oil, these meals are lightly battered. Yet, this way of cooking became popular in the Edo Period in the seventeenth century. It is supposed to have begun during the Nara Period in the ninth century.
What is agemono?
Agemono is a term used to describe deep-fried food in Japanese cuisine. A "Nabe" pot, often called an agemono, is a typical Japanese pot used for hot pot or deep frying. During winter, these pots are frequently used in Japan to make warming dishes with stewing materials, including fish, pork, vegetables, and other things. "Age" is a translation of the Japanese word "agemono," which describes deep-fried meals. Still, it includes a number of the most popular foods in Japan. Meals like chicken katsu, shrimp rolls, tempura, karaage, and ebi furai.

Agemono : Deep Fried Foods Dishes Examples
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Karaage
Fried chicken, octopus, fish, and Japanese meats. A different taste than American fried chicken. The batter could contain soy sauce. Wheat flour, garlic, ginger, potato starch, and seasonings are added to the light oil. -
Korokke
Japanese croquette is comparable to Portuguese croquette. A dish made of mashed potatoes or white sauce and a battered and deep-fried mixture of diced meat, fish, or veggies. Cream Korokke is the name of the variation that uses white sauce. Korokke is a common filling for Japanese sandwiches. -
Tempura
Fish and vegetables deep-fried in a fluffy, light batter. Small amounts of cold water are used to make tempura batter to maintain its texture. The main difference between tempura batter and the ordinary batter is that tempura batter contains no breadcrumbs and uses significantly less oil. Tempura batter, thinner than ordinary batter, can generate delicate, crispy tempura. -
Tonkatsu
Deep-frying meat. Tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage on top. Tonkatsu eateries frequently draw a hungry crowd. You would only drink at these places sometimes. In this procedure, panko-coated pork slices are fried in oil. The two most common cuts are loin and fillet. Tonkatsu is frequently used in other dishes, such as katsukar and katsudon.
FAQs
What is the difference between tempura and agemono?
Tempura, which consists of lightly battered and deep-fried fish or vegetables, is one of the most well-known agemono (at least among Americans). Shrimp tempura is a common Japanese dish in the United States. Agemono, often called age dashi dofu, is a dish made of tofu cubes that have been deep-fried and served in a hot soup. Agemono is vegetables or fish deep-fried in a lot of hot oil. Before being deep-fried, items are dipped in a thin batter called tempura made of cold water and flour.
What is Japanese Yakimono?
Items that have been grilled or broiled are prevalent in Japanese cuisine. Summertime favorites are these miniature Japanese "yaki," or skewers of meat and vegetables. "Yaki" means to cook or burn. Cook any meat or vegetable over charcoal for a more traditional flavor, including shrimp, snap peas, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, okra, cauliflower, and broccoli. According to some enthusiastic culinary authors, yakimono originated when warriors impaled slices of beef on their swords and tossed them into the fire. Even though the swords in Sheesh Kebab are claimed to have been carried by Mongols on horses, the two dishes are said to have originated in the same place.
What is the Japanese word for breaded meat and vegetables?
One of the most popular Japanese dishes outside of Japan is tempura. It is frequently associated with "Japanese food," especially sushi. Served with rice or noodles, this dish consists of battered and deep-fried fish and veggies. A Japanese cuisine called kushikatsu, also known as kushiage, is a deep-fried skewered beef and vegetable dish. Katsu is a deep-fried beef cutlet, whereas kushi refers to the skewers used in Japanese cuisine.
Experiences by Japan Crate : Bento Experience Set
Bento boxes are convenient because the food is pre-portioned and does not need to be heated. As main courses, you can serve sushi, wraps, sandwiches, and hearty salads. Snacks include energy balls, dips, freshly chopped veggies, nuts and seeds, and fruits. The Menchi Katsu, a deep-fried beef and pork burger, goes well with a bento box. When making Menchi Katsu for supper, make extra and freeze it to use in bento later. Make your bento box with our Bento Experience Set. This set includes a two-tiered bento box, food picks, a utensil set, a food divider, a carry bag, and a sauce container.
TAKEAWAYS
Bento traditionally consisted of rice or noodles as the major carbohydrate, with a protein or two like fish, eggs, or pork. Agemono is deep-fried veggies or shellfish in excessively high hot oil. Agemono cuisine includes deep-fried foods like "fry" and "kara-age," as well as tempura. Cook the ingredients well and deep-fry the food until the batter is crunchy for the best agemono. Japan crate offers different sets that can expand your knowledge about Japanese culture. Visit our website now to know more about us!
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