Tetsunabe Pot - Experience the Rich and Authentic Flavor of Japanese Dishes at the Comfort of Your Home

Have you ever heard of or tried eating nabemono or nabe? This is among the most popular Japanese hot pot dishes that are often eaten during cold months. It is the most convivial dish, where you can cook and keep it warm at the center of your table.

Sukiyaki and shabu shabu are two of the world-famous nabemono. But you can try other regional options like motsunabe and chankonabe. 

Even you are at home, or you are a tourist who wants to visit Japan, you can always have the best time trying a wide variety of hot pot dishes, thanks to tetsunabe pots. 

If you want to get yourself familiar with tetsunabe pot, then keep reading!

What Tetsunabe Pot Exactly Is?

A tetsunabe pot is a traditional Japanese cookware that is made out of a thick cast iron. This pot can be used to prepare classic and modern Japanese hot pot dishes. 

Though it is closely related to a donabe pot, the two still have differences as tetsunabe is made from cast iron. It is considered a version of a Dutch oven in Japan for cooking soups and rice. 

This traditional pot is admired because of its ability to keep your food warm even after being removed from the fire. It is placed in the center of the table. This type of pot is preferred if you want the dishes to have an even heat distribution. 

Tetsunabe pots come in various sizes and shapes. Each of them can be used in different ways. However, if you are starting out making noodle soups, stews, and other mouthwatering Japanese hot pot dishes, it’s an excellent idea to opt for classic tetsunabe.

Cooking Authentic Japanese Dishes with Tetsunabe Pots 

One of the best parts of using tetsunabe pot in making hot pot dishes is that the cooking process is very easy. You can even serve directly from the pot onto your plate. 

When cooking with a tetsunabe pot, all you have to do is to put all the ingredients you wish to eat into the pot and let it cook. You will surely enjoy the rich flavor and mouthwatering aroma of the food after being cooked. It is effective in spreading the true flavor of the ingredients throughout the dish without the need for flavor enhancers. This quality of a cookware become one of the reasons why not just Japanese enjoy hot pot dishes, but also people all over the world. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Tetsunabe Pots? 

Of course, before you buy a particular cookware, you want to know its benefits. As you take advantage of tetsunabe pots, you will experience quite an easy cooking process and delicious dishes.

With the help of a tetsunabe pot, you can achieve a restaurant-like taste in the comfort of your home. In fact, you will not need any professional cooking skills. Because it promotes a quick and easy way of cooking authentic foods in Japan, this pot is perfect for busy families. So, despite your busy schedule, you can still prepare delicious, flavorful dishes for your family.

Whenever you want to east sumptuous and nutritious foods, a tetsunabe pot can be a lifesaver. Just pick your favorite vegetables, toppings, and other ingredients you want to eat and put them into the pot. What’s more, cleaning up the pot is very easy. 

Furthermore, the main advantage of having a tetsunabe pot in the kitchen is that it will help you keep your food after being removed from the fire. Other than cooking traditional nabemono dishes, you can also try cooking other dishes like steamed food, rice, soups, and stews. 

By using a tetsunabe pot, you can give food a rich, unique flavor and texture that a modern cooker cannot imitate. The process of slow cooking in a hot pot helps all the ingredients release their best aromas and flavors that can be kept even when cold. 

How Does Tetsunabe Pot Work to Make Dishes Delicious?

A tetsunabe pot comes with components that are capable of radiating infrared rays. That way, the ingredients you boiled inside the traditional pot are being cooked deliciously. As it has a high heat insulation level, you can be sure that your food will remain warm for a long time. Not only that, but it can also keep the delicious taste and flavor of the food even it is already cold.

Moreover, the food you are cooking in the tetsunabe pot is very appealing to the brain. So, it will really look delicious to you. The attractive look of your food will make you think that it tastes delicious. For you to enjoy a more sumptuous pot dish, make sure to use only fresh ingredients. 

What Are the Authentic Japanese Dishes You Can Cook with Tetsunabe Pot?

For sure, you want to know what the classic Japanese dishes you can try cooking with a tetsunabe pot. As mentioned, you can use this traditional pot for making a variety of Japanese recipes, including hot pot, stew, soup, and steamed rice and ingredients.

Now, it’s time for you to discover particular authentic Japanese dishes you can cook with your tetsunabe pot. So, take a look at the following dishes:

• Chankonabe 

Little do you know that chakonabe was originally served to sumo wrestlers to help them gain weight? Among the nabe dishes, this one uses more ingredients. Udon noodles, cabbages, meatballs, and chicken are the common ingredients for preparing the dish.

• Oden 

If you love oden, then getting yourself a tetsunabe pot is an advantage. This dish is among the most popular hot pot dishes in Japan, where a light broth made from dashi is used. Daikon, konjac, boiled eggs, processed fish cakes are some of the common ingredients. To add more flavor to the dish, you can use a separate condiment called karashi.

• Sukiyaki 

Sukiyaki makes use of thin-sliced meats with vegetables, tofu, and starch noodles. It also makes use of a sweet shoyu that is made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar and served with a raw egg dip.

• Shabu-Shabu 

Similar to sukiyaki, shabu-shabu also makes use of thin-sliced meats and vegetables. You need to boil the ingredients by piece in the tetsunabe pot. Then, it is often eaten with a separate dipping sauce.

• Motsunabe 

If you visit Fukuoka, then make sure to try its famous dish called motsunabe. But you can also try cooking the dish on your own with the help of a tetsunabe pot. It is made with beef or pork offal and other ingredients like garlic chives and cabbage. As for the broth, soy sauce or miso-based broth can be used.

• Yudofu 

For a simple yet delicious nabe dish, you can try cooking yudofu with your tetsunabe pot. This dish only consists of tofu pieces that are simmered in the light kombu broth. You can serve It with other condiments like ponzu, which is a citrus-based sauce.

• Yosenabe 

In this type of nabe dish, you are free to use any ingredients you wish to eat. Then, you need to use either soy sauce or miso-based broth.

• Hoto-Nabe

The hoto-nabe is a popular dish in the Kanto region, which makes use of a miso-based broth. Besides, kabocha squash, carrot, taro, and Chinese cabbage are other ingredients used.

• Ishikari-Nabe

If you want a Hokkaido version of the nabe dish, then you can try the ishikare-nabe. This dish makes use of miso-based broth together with salmon and vegetables. Other ingredients include potato, butter, konjac, daikon, tofu, shiitake mushroom, and Chinese cabbage.

• Mizutaki 

Mizutaki originated in the Kyushu region, where a simple stock, chicken, and vegetables are stewed together. It is often served with a separate dipping sauce like ponzu. In addition to the ingredients, you can also find tofu, shiitake mushroom, and Chinese cabbage.

• Momiji-Nabe

Momiji-nabe is a specialty nabe dish in the Cheutsu region. Green vegetables, burdock, shiitake mushroom, and Welsh onion are the common ingredients of this dish that are cooked using a miso-based stock.

• Kiritampo-Nabe 

Kiritampo is pounded rice that is skewed and grilled. Other ingredients include chicken, Japanese parsley, Welsh onion, konjac, and burdock.

Are you ready to cook your first nabe dish with a tetsunabe pot? It’s a sure thing that you will love the rich, delicious, and irresistible aroma of every authentic Japanese dish you make.