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We recently returned from a trip to Japan. Our memories are full of this amazing country and its people, places, and of course food.
The very first meal we enjoyed was at an Okinawan restaurant in Narita, Japan. We had no idea when we walked in that it was an Okinawan restaurant. LOL The very first dish we tried was Okinawan Carrots, aka Ninjin Shirishiri.
We stumbled into the restaurant, realized they only took cash so had to go get money from an ATM. Once we returned, we were given a menu only in Japanese. Then when the waiter realized we had no clue what we were looking at, he presented us a menu in 4 languages (including English) with delicacies such as “3 Kinds of Fish Guts Pickled in Salt.” LOL
I have no idea how the Okinawan carrots ended up on our table. Maybe we ordered it? But I think the waiter just brought it over for us to enjoy while we were trying to figure out the menu! Whatever, it was delicious!!
My husband Steve ordered a delicious Pork stir fry with Vegetables after perusing the menu. I then tried to explain to the waiter what I wanted to order and we continued snacking on the delicious carrots. In the end, only the pork stir fry showed up, and unfortunately we couldn’t communicate with our waiter so my order never arrived! Never mind, I was just happy to be in Japan so all was good!
Dreaming of Okinawan Carrots
I was still dreaming about the Okinawan Carrots when I returned home. So I couldn’t wait to make this recipe and share it with others it’s THAT GOOD!
Just a very few simple ingredients are all you need for this most delicious of dishes! Carrots, egg, canned tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, pinch of salt and pepper, and water! Can you believe that’s it?!
The only fiddly part is peeling and julienning the carrots. Click here for a tutorial on how to julienne carrots. 🙂
The method to cook these is simply stir fry to soften the carrots, then add tuna, the seasonings, and finally stir in a whisked egg. Oh, and garnish with green onions on top!
Are you ready to try these? I promise you won’t be able to stop eating these they are so delicious! It’s also a very healthy and nutritious snack!
Some Other Japanese Recipes You May Enjoy!
Easy and Delicious Gyudon Japanese Beef Bowl
Delicious Japanese Pork Katsudon and Rice Bowl
If you’d like to come along on this food journey with me, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It’s an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here. 🙂
Cheers!
Grace
Okinawan Carrots
Ingredients
- 3 carrots medium to large sized
- 1 egg whisked
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 5 oz tuna canned tuna in oil – you will only use around 1/2 keep the rest to snack on!
- salt pinch of
- pepper pinch of
- water for cooking the carrots
- 1 green onion sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Peel and julienne your carrots. The finer your carrots are julienned, the quicker they will cook!
- Whisk one egg in a small bowl and leave it to the side.
- Heat up a skillet to med-high. Pour the oil from the tuna can into the skillet and heat up.
- Once the oil is heated, add your carrots. Stir fry for approximately 10 minutes or until softened. Add a bit of water here and there to help the carrots cook. You don't want it watery though, so if you add water be sure to let the water burn off.
- Once the carrots are soft and pliable, add the 1/2 can of tuna, breaking it up and stir. Then add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and pinch of salt and pepper. Lastly, add in your whisked egg, and continue stirring until the egg is cooked.
- Remove and serve immediately, garnished with green onion!
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