Nanban: Japanese Soul Food Hardcover by Tim Anderson captures the bold tastes of Japanese home cooking and delivers them in a playful, approachable style. Tim, a former MasterChef champion, draws on his experiences and expertise to bring a collection of recipes that challenge conventional ideas of Japanese cuisine. The book invites cooks of all levels to explore noodles, sauces, barbecued dishes, and desserts that are bursting with flavour.

At the heart of this book is ramen, presented in all its glory with layers of toppings and a remarkable broth that can be adapted to personal preference. Gyoza, with its satisfying blend of umami and heat, makes frequent appearances, and Tim offers tips on fillings and folding methods to achieve perfectly crisp dumplings. Pork belly buns also feature, providing that rich, melt-in-the-mouth texture everyone craves.

This is not simply a catalogue of Japanese classics but rather a fresh approach to cooking that combines the street-food flair now flourishing around the UK. Tim includes gems such as the Sasebo Burger and twists on fried chicken, which provide exciting surprises for those seeking something out of the ordinary. Each recipe is accompanied by advice on sourcing or substituting key Japanese ingredients, ensuring that readers can create authentic flavours even if certain items are hard to find.

The book is organised into chapters covering sauces, small plates, large dishes, grilled items, ramen, desserts, and drinks. Readers can start with straightforward recipes and gradually move on to more ambitious projects, guided by Tim’s friendly instruction. Visual inspiration is plentiful, tempting cooks to experiment with new ingredients and techniques.

Nanban: Japanese Soul Food succeeds in making Japanese home cooking accessible, allowing readers to develop a greater understanding of the culture and methods behind each dish. Whether trying ramen for the first time or refining well-loved favourites, this book promises a tasty journey through creative, comforting food that is sure to please Japanese cuisine enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Tim’s emphasis on accessibility is reflected in explanations of techniques, from crafting a ramen broth to achieving that crisp exterior on karaage chicken, showcasing his love for Japanese cookery.

Product details

Publisher: Square Peg (2015)

Language: English

Hardback: 256 pages

ISBN-10: 022409890X

ISBN-13: 978-0224098908

Dimensions: 17.7 x 2.8 x 29.8 cm