Suigyoza no chige-fu nabe / jjigae-style hotpot with shui jiao dumplings

A spicy red hotpot for chilly days, very filling yet gentle on your stomach. Have lots of fresh lemon wedges ready -- they will work some amazing magic at the end.
As with any nabe hotpot, any ingredients in the fridge or on the kitchen counter can go in. Explore with what you have, and find your favorite combinations.

1/2 of recipe (when taking a few sips of broth): 
436 calories; 25.8 g protein; 10.2 g fat; 58.2 g carbohydrate; 47.2 g net carbs; 366 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 38 mg cholesterol; 11.0 g fiber

Tomato to nira no nattojiru / miso soup with fermented soybeans, tomato and garlic chives

A comforting natto soup with a summer twist. Enoki mushrooms deepen the taste while deep-fried tofu makes the soup impressively filling.

1/2 of recipe:
126 calories; 10.1 g protein; 6.2 g fat; 8.0 g carbohydrate; 4.7 g net carbs; 233 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 3.3 g fiber

Kinoko-iri sundupu / soondupu jjigae Korean soft tofu stew with mushrooms

A tasty Korean soft tofu stew has made a comeback at our table! My now typical lineup of seasonings to reduce overall sodium -- shoyukoji soy sauce rice malt, shiokoji salted rice malt and (brown) rice vinegar -- works like a charm again here. The strong taste and aroma of dashi stock made of niboshi dried young sardines and konbu kelp is softened to a deeper note by adding the water used to rehydrate dried shiitake, which is one of assorted mushrooms that go into the stew. All in all, this is very satisfying, filling dish.

248 calories (1/2 of recipe); 18.9 g protein; 13.9 g fat; 16.1 g carbohydrate; 10.1 g net carbs; 574 mg sodium; 219 mg cholesterol; 6.0 g fiber

Tonyu miso nikomi udon / hot-pot udon wheat noodles in red miso and soy milk broth

A personal-size, sizzling hot pot with udon for cold days. The combination of aka miso and soy milk makes this a mild yet deep and satisfying dish. As it is individually cooked in a small clay pot, goody choices can easily be personalized. Even better, each pot can be prepared at a different time -- when noodles, soup and goodies are prepped and ready for assembly, everyone gets to enjoy hot pot simmered just for them, which is perfect for busy days when family members are on different schedules. This dish warms you up from the inside, but you still need to be careful not to burn your mouth!

With 80 g dried udon wheat noodles per serving:
529 calories (1/2 of recipe); 26.8 g protein; 13.3 g fat; 75.4 g carbohydrate; 67.2 g net carbs; 723 mg sodium (with shoyukoji made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 214 mg cholesterol; 8.2 g fiber

Seri soba / buckwheat noodles with water dropwort

The refreshing leaves and crispy stems of seri water dropwort, the subtle softness of enoki mushrooms, and the juicy soup released by usuage ... all perfectly match the deep earthiness of soba noodles in broth.
This is what we enjoyed as our toshikoshi soba [year-end buckwheat noodles] on December 31 last year.

With 125 g dried soba noodles per serving
522 calories (1/2 of recipe); 24.0 g protein; 6.7 g fat; 90.8 g carbohydrate; 84.2 g net carbs; 536 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 6.6 g fiber

With 100 g dried soba noodles per serving
436 calories (1/2 of recipe); 20.5 g protein; 6.1 g fat; 74.1 g carbohydrate; 68.4 g net carbs; 515 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 5.7 g fiber

Okara to kinoko-iri kabocha no korokke / pumpkin croquettes with soybean pulp and mushrooms

Savory and sweet pumpkin croquettes. Sauteed enoki and eringi mushrooms are added for a slightly earthy, deep taste and aroma, which nicely disguises the low sodium content of the dish. The deep-fried version with crispy panko bread crumbs is quite satisfying even when eating only one or two pieces. The baked version tastes light and significantly cuts down the amount of oil and calories. The baked version involves a bit of a process to prepare panko, but it can be done ahead of time.

Deep-fried version (1/2 of recipe):
391 calories; 6.5 g protein; 26.4 g fat; 32.9 g carbohydrate;  25.0 g net carbs; 90 mg sodium (with shoyukoji made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 27 mg cholesterol; 7.9 g fiber

Baked version (1/2 of recipe):
202 calories; 6.5 g protein; 6.0 g fat; 32.9 g carbohydrate; 25.0 g net carbs; 90 mg sodium (with shoyukoji made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 27 mg cholesterol; 7.9 g fiber

Ninjin to enoki no pirikara itameni / braised spicy carrot and enoki mushrooms

This kinpira-style spicy side dish with the clear taste of soy sauce and a sweet underlying note is an everyday favorite. Cooked enoki become a bit creamy, providing a nice contrast to the texture of carrot spears. Quick and easy, this is a great small addition at your table or in the lunch box.

1/2 of recipe:
52 calories; 1.3 g protein; 1.2 g fat; 8.7 g carbohydrate; 6.3 g net carbs; 98 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 177 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 2.4 g fiber

Kinoko no sotee sarada / salad with sauteed mushrooms and citrus soy sauce

One of my typical baby leaf salads comes with sauteed mushrooms. Sauteed mushrooms work as a dressing, so cook them on lower heat to get the moisture out for mellower texture. Olive oil goes so well with citrus soy sauce, adding another fruity layer to the overall taste. See notes if you are out of ponzujoyu.

1/2 of recipe:
88 calories; 1.7 g protein; 6.1 g fat; 9.7 g carbohydrate; 125 mg sodium (when made with homemade ponzujoyu using 50% reduced sodium soy sauce; 350+ mg when made with store-bought ponzujoyu); 7 mg cholesterol; 5.6 g fiber

Kinoko to tofu no misoshiru / miso soup with mushrooms and tofu

When a light yet satisfying miso soup is desired, try the deep, aromatic taste of an assortment of mushrooms and awase miso, a mixture of red and white miso. Throw in some soft tofu to make the soup more substantial and a dash of shichimi pepper at the end to enhance the overall aroma.

1/2 of recipe:
67 calories; 6.4 g protein; 2.6 g fat; 7.1 g carbohydrate; 4.0 g net carbs; 242 mg sodium (with reduced-sodium miso); 0 mg cholesterol; 3.1 g fiber  

Sakana no sotee, karashi enoki soosu / sauteed fish with mustard enoki mushroom sauce

Enoki's fruity sourness goes well with mustard and white wine. The sauce is creamy, thanks to enoki, and has a clear soy sauce flavor, which also is a great match with mustard. For mustard lovers, this is a wonderful take on mushroom sauce.

1/2 of recipe:
154 calories; 18.6 g protein; 5.0 g fat; 6.7 g carbohydrate; 4.9 g net carbs; 275 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 389 mg with regular soy sauce); 59 mg cholesterol; 1.8 g fiber

Yakidofu to tomyo, enoki no chuka-nibitashi / broiled tofu, sugar pea shoots and enoki mushrooms in Chinese broth

Sugar pea shoots, a common Chinese stir-fry ingredient, are a great companion with simmered tofu in this everyday Japanese dish with a Chinese twist.

1/2 of recipe:
98 calories; 8.2 g protein; 4.9 g fat; 5.5 g carbohydrate; 3.2 g net carbs; 233 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 309-327 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 2.3 g fiber

Tsuruna to enoki no karashijoyu-ae / New Zealand spinach and enoki mushrooms in Japanese mustard soy sauce dressing

One of Tom's favorite tsuruna dishes. The nostril-clearing punch of karashi mustard goes really well with the clingy texture and taste of New Zealand spinach.

Tomato to enoki no sanraatan / suan la tang hot and sour soup with tomatoes and enoki mushrooms

Substantial and refreshing. With a boost from a dried scallop, this hot and sour soup offers lots of flavor and aroma. Great with somewhat heavy dishes, too.

Chikuwa to kinoko no nibitashi / chikuwa fishcakes and mushrooms in broth

An easy dish with a complex, deep flavor from assorted mushrooms.

Kinokojiru (miso-jitate) / assorted mushroom soup (miso flavor)

A variation on mushroom soup using assorted mushrooms. Sauteing mushrooms first in sesame oil brings out their mellow flavor together with a complex earthy note. White miso enhances the mellowness, and red miso adds a sharp bite.

Kinokojiru (shoyu-jitate) / assorted mushroom soup (soy sauce flavor)

A mix of mushrooms gives this quick soup a complex flavor.

Gobo to ninjin, enoki no misoshiru / miso soup with burdock root, carrot and enoki mushrooms

Burdock root gives lots of deep flavor while enoki mushrooms add a faint sourness. Thinly sliced vegetables liven up this hearty miso soup.

Warabi to kinoko no amakara shoyuzuke / bracken and mushrooms marinated in lightly sweetened spicy soy sauce

A great companion for plain rice, soba or udon noodles. Also good as a topping for hiyayakko tofu.

Kinoko no iridofu / scrambled tofu with mushrooms

The earthy taste of shiitake, the subtly sour and fruity flavor of enoki, and the delicate woody tang of oyster mushrooms turn this easy everyday tofu dish into a rich tapestry of flavors.

Kaki to enoki no shoga hoiruyaki / grilled oysters and enoki mushrooms with ginger soy sauce in foil

Easy, light and tasty. Ginger adds a tangy aroma to the creamy oysters.