Kaminaridofu / pan-fried tofu with soy sauce and katsuobushi

With the literal meaning of "thunder tofu," this dish is well named; the water from these small cubes of firm tofu makes a rumbling sound when fried at high heat. For the sodium-savvy version below, I use less oil so that the amount of seasoning (soy sauce in this case) can be reduced. As a result, the tofu cubes only make a tame roar, if any. While the dish is now less entertaining to cook in an audio-visual sense, it has the advantage of requiring less cleanup of spattered oil. Taste-wise, this is quite strong thanks to the intense flavor of katsuobushi bonito flakes, and the strong flavor is highlighted by refreshing green onion slices. A small yet satisfying dish.

1/2 of recipe:
99 calories; 7.7 g protein; 6.4 g fat; 2.2 g carbohydrate; 15.8 g net carbs; 100 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 1 mg cholesterol; 0.5 g fiber

Takenoko no tsukeyaki / sauteed bamboo shoots in citrus soy sauce

This saute can be either strongly or softly flavored by adding or not adding marinade to the frying pan toward the end. Simply sauteing marinated bamboo shoots would naturally result in a soft flavor where their sweet yet tangy taste comes through. When a stronger flavor with punch is desired, continue sauteing bamboo shoots with some of the leftover marinade. In either case, eringi king oyster mushrooms compliment bamboo shoots really well.

1/2 of recipe (bamboo shoots & eringi mushrooms):
89 calories; 2.3 g protein; 1.2 g fat; 18.3 g carbohydrate; 15.8 g net carbs; 166 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce & ponzujoyu made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 2.5 g fiber

1/2 of recipe (bamboo shoots, eringi mushrooms & vegetables):
95 calories; 3.0 g protein; 1.3 g fat; 19.1 g carbohydrate; 16.0 g net carbs; 172 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce & ponzujoyu made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 1 mg cholesterol; 3.1g fiber

Ninjin no shirishiri / stir-fried shredded carrot with eggs

A tasty everyday dish from Okinawa that has been gaining popularity across Japan in recent years. Slowly sauteing carrots with a small amount of oil enhances the sweetness of the vegetable, and eggs add a gentle, rich taste. Among a number of variations, canned tuna is often mentioned as an addition. The recipe below features okara-konnyaku (soybean pulp yam cakes) to make the dish more filling as well as snow peas for color.

1/2 recipe:
115 calories; 6.1 g protein; 5.4 g fat; 11.2 g carbohydrate; 5.1 g net carbs; 128 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-soy sauce and shoyukoji made with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 106 mg cholesterol; 6.1 g fiber

Okara-iritamago no okaka mazegohan / steamed rice with scrambled soybean pulp, egg and bonito flakes

An easy makeover of plain steamed rice into a tasty comfort meal. Scrambled eggs fluffed up with fiber-rich okara increase the overall volume of rice, so even one-third of the entire recipe is quite filling. Mild okara-egg is balanced with the strong taste and aroma of okaka or katsuobushi bonito flakes. Although forms are totally different, onigiri rice balls came to mind when I first tasted this rice. Yummy!

1/3 of recipe:
229 calories; 6.6 g protein; 3.5 g fat; 40.4 g carbohydrate; 38.9 g net carbs; 41 mg sodium; 72 mg cholesterol; 1.5 g fiber

1/2 of recipe:
343 calories; 9.9 g protein; 5.2 g fat; 60.6 g carbohydrate; 58.4 g net carbs; 61 mg sodium; 108 mg cholesterol; 2.2 g fiber

Asupara to burokkoriirabu, mini tomato no okaka-ae / asparagus, broccoli raab and cherry tomatoes with bonito flakes

A quick side vegetable dish dressed with bonito flakes. Great next to your main dish or as a filler in a bento box.

22 calories (1/2 of recipe); 2.7 g protein; 0.1 g fat; 3.4 g carbohydrate; 2.0 g net carbs; 52 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; approximately 100 mg with regular soy sauce); 2 mg cholesterol; 1.4 g fiber 

Takoyaki / fried octopus dumplings (calamari version)

Served with an aromatic, sweet and salty sauce that blends with the savory and still creamy batter inside, these little dumplings are everyone's favorite. Takoyaki used to be something from neighborhood mom & pop shops, which often had small eat-in areas but largely sold takoyaki as a takeout item. At my local takoyaki shop, a couple of coins were enough to buy a small tray with several takoyaki, which was affordable with my pocket money -- basically change I collected from buying stationery or books -- as a child. Buying a large tray with 12 takoyaki required some help from parents or relatives, and I always dreamed about getting a large tray with 12 takoyaki and eating them all myself. When this dream came true I was so happy, but also uncomfortably full and feeling guilty about not sharing them with my sister.

The recipe below features calamari as a more widely available substitute for octopus.

Whole recipe (about 24 takoyaki balls):
902 calories; 44.8 g protein; 19.0 g fat; 117.2 g carbohydrate; 112.6 g net carbs; 862 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 734 mg cholesterol; 4.6 g fiber

1/2 of recipe (about 12 takoyaki balls):
451 calories; 22.4 g protein; 9.5 g fat; 58.6g carbohydrate; 56.3 g net carbs; 431 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 367 mg cholesterol; 2.3 g fiber

Konnyaku to takenoko no tosani / simmered konnyaku yam cake and bamboo shoot with bonito flakes

Tosani -- a simmered dish finished with bonito flakes -- is a common choice for fresh bamboo shoots, and it also is a great way to create a rich, strong-flavored dish without using lots of soy sauce. Soft and chewy konnyaku is added below for contrasting texture and a fiber boost.

1/2 of recipe:
54 calories; 3.6 g protein; 1.2 g fat; 6.5 g carbohydrate; 3.6 g net carbs; 183 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 339 mg with regular soy sauce); 3 mg cholesterol; 2.9 g fiber

Moyashi to satsumaage no itamemono / stir-fried bean sprouts and deep-fried fishcake

A light and satisfying stir-fry featuring crispy bean sprouts. Satsumaage fishcake adds a nice flavor and contrasting texture as do shiitake mushrooms, while nira garlic chives chime in with their punchy taste as egg mellows it down ... The recipe below features soybean sprouts, but mung bean sprouts work great, too. See notes for some tips when using mung bean sprouts.

1/2 of recipe:
120 calories; 9.5 g protein; 6.3 g fat; 6.7 g carbohydrate; 4.2 g net carbs; 152 mg sodium; 113 mg cholesterol; 2.5 g fiber

Somen no tomato-iri tsuketsuyu / dipping sauce with tomato for thin wheat noodles

This dipping sauce takes full advantage of the mighty tomato, which is known for its high umami content among vegetables. Many dipping sauces for noodles contain lots of sodium, and leaving more in the sauce cup naturally results in taking less sodium. But since Tom still likes to taste a bit more of the sauce than is good for him, here is a Tom-friendly variation. You can safely have a big taste of what is left in your sobachoko dipping sauce cup after finishing your noodles.

1/3 of recipe:
53 calories; 1.5 g protein; 0.1g fat; 9.6 g carbohydrate; 7.8 g net carbs; 281 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 1.8 g fiber  

Kinshi uri no tosazu-ae / spaghetti squash in bonito flake infused sweetened rice vinegar dressing

One of the standard Japanese dishes featuring kinshi uri (somen kabocha) spaghetti squash. Adding katsuobushi bonito flakes to sweetened rice vinegar gives a nice underlying punch to this dish. A tiny amount of mitsuba also accentuates the overall flavor. A small and refreshing side dish.

1/2 of recipe:
32 calories; 1.0 g protein; 0.1 g fat; 6.2 g carbohydrate; 5.2 g net carbs; 139 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 177 mg with regular soy sauce); 1.0 mg cholesterol; 1.0g  fiber

Hakusai to tamago no okakaitame / stir-fried napa cabbage and egg with bonito flakes

The gentle taste of hakusai napa cabbage is further softened by egg, while a small amount of katsuobushi bonito flakes provides a counterpunch of clear saltiness.

1/2 of recipe:
75 calories; 5.5 g protein; 3.8 g fat; 3.7 g carbohydrate; 2.5 g net carbs; 121 mg sodium; 111 mg cholesterol; 1.2 g fiber

Fu champuruu / Okinawan-style stir-fry with wheat gluten cakes

Fu wheat gluten cakes come alive in champuruu, a common Okinawan stir-fry dish. Fu is soaked in egg before frying, making this dish very filling. Any vegetable, mushroom, meat or  seafood works great. Check your fridge!

1/3 of recipe:
101 calories; 7.6 g protein; 4.5 g fat; 6.1 g carbohydrate; 4.9 g net carbs; 100 mg sodium; 145 mg cholesterol; 1.2 g fiber

Tofu-iri okonomiyaki / savory pancake with tofu

Tofu gives a fluffy texture without having to add nagaimo Chinese yam to the okonomiyaki batter. This is a basic vegetable okonomiyaki with cabbage and green onions. Add your favorite seafood or meat to make this recipe your own.

One pancake:
369 calories; 18.6 g protein; 14.6 g fat; 36.3 g carbohydrate; 33.3 g net carbs; 604 mg sodium; 229 mg cholesterol; 3.0 g fiber

Mizuna no ohitashi okakazoe / mizuna in light broth, with bonito flakes

When you have whole leafy greens with roots still attached, it’s easy to turn a casual ohitashi into a slightly formal dish. Here is an example with mizuna mustard greens topped with bonito flakes.

Sakana no karashiage to kinsai, mizuna, radisshu no aemono / karashi mustard-flavored deep-fried fish and Chinese celery, mizuna and radish

Deep-fried fish marinated in karashi mustard is tasty on its own, as is Chinese celery, mizuna and radish with bonito flakes and a tiny bit of soy sauce. When combined, you have a satisfying yet refreshing fish & vegetable dish!

Kaminaridofu / fried tofu with soy sauce

The crispy surface of tofu together with the flavor of slightly burnt soy sauce tastes great. Add katsuobushi bonito flakes for more flavor and aroma.

Somen, udon no tsuketsuyu / dipping sauce for somen or udon noodles

Strong dashi is the key to a flavorful dipping sauce.

Nira no ume okaka-ae / garlic chives with pickled plum and bonito flakes

The distinctive taste of nira garlic chives mellows when cooked, but still holds enough aroma. A simple, quick and oil-free dish.