Gomoku ankake udon / wheat noodles with thickened soup and assorted ingredients

Udon often is mentioned as a good choice when feeling unwell. When made with hot, thickened soup, it warms your body from inside. Noodles and warm soup alone is the basic foundation. Ginger -- either grated, finely julienned or only the squeezed juice -- intensifies the warming effect while adding a zesty note and aroma to your soup. Select and cook goodies according to your appetite and condition. While everything is simmered in broth starting with the toughest item below, goodies can be grilled or fried and added to the soup for those who want more texture. This is also a nice dish for chilly days.

The broth's sodium content is on the low end (0.7%), and partly because of the amount of vegetables and mushrooms, it might be too weak for those who have not been on a reduced sodium diet. Adjust the taste to your preferred level at the end.

1/2 of recipe (with virtually sodium-free homemade udon noodles):
480 calories; 22.0 g protein; 3.2 g fat; 87.0 g carbohydrate; 82.9 g net carbs; 651 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium regular soy sauce and shiokoji salted rice malt); 72 mg cholesterol; 4.1 g fiber

Koyadofu to kinoko no raapu-fu / freeze-dried tofu and mushroom larb salad

Zesty, sweet and salty. Commonly made with meat or fish, this is a vegetarian-friendly Thai larb (with fish sauce). Freeze-dried tofu has a sponge-like texture and soaks up the tasty seasoning. Mixed with umami-packed mushrooms, this filling dish works as a starter or even a quick bite when feeling hungry. Cilantro and mint provide a pungent, tangy and fresh note to complete the melody.  

1/6 of recipe:
60 calories; 4.0 g protein; 3.3 g fat; 4.8 g carbohydrate; 3.3 g net carbs; 84 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 1.5 g fiber

1/4 of recipe:
90 calories; 6.0 g protein; 5.0 g fat; 7.2 g carbohydrate; 5.0 g net carbs; 126 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 2.2 g fiber

Whole recipe:
362 calories; 24.2 g protein; 19.9 g fat; 28.8 g carbohydrate; 20.0 g net carbs; 504 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 8.8 g fiber

Eringi to shimeji no namuru / namul saute with king oyster and shimeji mushrooms

A quick saute of mushrooms with sesame oil. Fresno pepper adds colorful contrast and soft crunch. Great as a filler in a bento box, too.

1/2 of recipe:
24 calories; 1.7 g protein; 1.3 g fat; 3.6 g carbohydrate; 0 g net carbs; 31 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol; 3.6 g fiber

Shimeji to shantoreru no momiji-oroshi-ae / grilled shimeji and chanterelle mushrooms dressed with citrus-flavored soy sauce, grated turnip and carrot

A dish featuring the colors of autumn and mushrooms in season. Fresh and sweet kabu turnip and carrot are grated to create an orange blanket for the mushrooms, which are grilled to intensify their taste and aroma. This mild dish is a great companion with something heavy or strong-flavored dishes.

1/2 of recipe: 22 calories; 1.9 g protein; 0.2 g fat; 4.9 g carbohydrate; 2.4 g net carbs; 43 mg sodium (with homemade ponzujoyu using 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce); 77 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 2.2 g fiber

Sake to shimeji no takikomi gohan / steamed rice with salmon and shimeji mushrooms

As the weather cools and we enter the season of mushrooms and return of the salmon, takikomi gohan featuring seasonal ingredients really hits the spot.

1/3 of recipe：
235 calories; 9.1 g protein; 3.3 g fat; 39.8 g carbohydrate; 38.9 g net carbs; 88 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 140 mg with regular soy sauce); 15 mg cholesterol; 0.9 g fiber 

1/2 of recipe：
353 calories; 13.6 g protein; 4.9 g fat; 59.7 g carbohydrate; 58.4 g net carbs; 132 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 210 mg with regular soy sauce); 23 mg cholesterol; 1.3 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  

Tamago fuwafuwa / steamed egg soufle over broth

This simple egg dish with a very descriptive name (fluffy egg) may not look like anything special today, but it is supposed to be the oldest egg dish on record in Japan, dating back to the early 17th century when the dish was served to the privileged few in power. It took some time to spread to lesser folks, but by the 19th century it was a popular dish, although still considered to be very special. Tamago fuwafuwa can be as plain as dashi and egg topped with pepper or some herbs. Below is slightly indulgent version featuring shimeji mushrooms, shrimp and sea scallops.

1/2 of recipe:
92 calories; 11.9 g protein; 2.9 g fat; 3.6 g carbohydrate; 3.0 net carbs; 267 mg sodium; 145.0 mg cholesterol; 0. 6g fiber

Kaisen chukadon / Chinese-style seafood saute over steamed rice

A tasty Japanese donburi of a classic Chinese dish. This is a reduced-sodium version of a previously posted chukadon recipe. It uses more vinegar than the original recipe and much less soy sauce and oyster sauce, but the sourness is milder... Why? Vinegar is boiled (in microwave) to get rid of excess sourness, leaving just enough sour taste and a sensation that mimics saltiness. This recipe also uses Shaoxing wine instead of sake to ensure a flavorful outcome. All in all, this is a very satisfying dish that sticks to your ribs.

1/2 of recipe (when served with 150 g steamed rice):
401 calories; 15.8 g protein; 2.8 g fat; 74.9 g carbohydrate; 71.4 g net carbs; 521 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 673 mg with regular soy sauce); 37 mg cholesterol; 3.5 g fiber

Gobo to satsumaage, shimeji no donburi / burdock root, deep-fried fishcake and shimeji mushrooms over steamed rice

This is a reduced-sodium version of my standard gobo donburi. By desalinating satsumage fishcake and replacing part of soy sauce with rice vinegar, you can enjoy a tasty donburi without worrying about getting too much sodium!

1/2 of recipe (when served with 150 g steamed rice):
353 calories; 11.2 g protein; 3.6g fat; 65.5 g carbohydrate; 62.8 g net carbs; 320 mg sodium (with 50% reduced sodium; 548 mg with regular soy sauce); 107 mg cholesterol; 2.7 g fiber

Shiokoji kinoko / assorted steamed mushrooms with salted rice malt

A handy mushroom topping for a number of dishes, ranging from simple hiyayakko tofu to sautéed fish. This can also be added to vegetable or meat stir-fry as a quick taste and aroma booster. Use several different kinds of mushrooms for the best outcome.

1/6 of recipe (sauteed fish excluded):
27 calories; 1.1 g protein; 2.2 g fat; 2.0 g carbohydrate; 0.7 g net carbs; 37 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 44 mg with regular soy sauce); 0 mg cholesterol; 1.3 g fiber

Kyabetsu to kinoko no miso-itame / cabbage and mushroom saute with miso

An easy cabbage saute with shimeji and eringi mushrooms. Tender spring cabbage is complemented by slightly sweetened miso and the spicy punch of taka no tsume red chili pepper.

1/2 of recipe:
46 calories; 2.5 g protein; 1.5 g fat; 7.5 g carbohydrate; 4.5 g net carbs; 129 mg sodium (with reduced-sodium miso; 159 mg with regular miso); 0 mg cholesterol; 3.0 g fiber

Ebi-shinjo to yasai ribon no nabe / hot pot with prawn-fish dumplings and vegetable ribbons

Vegetable ribbons and fluffy prawn-fish dumplings turn regular nabe hot pot into something special. Put prawn-fish dumplings in the nabe first, as they taste richer as they cook with other ingredients.

1/2 of recipe:
525 calories; 32.5 g protein; 14.8 g fat; 61.5 g carbohydrate; 59.9 g net carbs; 502 mg sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce for both broth and ponzujoyu; 743 mg with regular soy sauce); 179 mg cholesterol; 7.6 g fiber

Shinshu-mushi / white-flesh fish steamed with soba noodles

A gentle steamed fish dish accompanied by soba buckwheat noodles.

1/2 of recipe:
272 calories; 24.3 g protein; 1.3 g fat; 41.7 g carbohydrate; 38.1 g net carbs; 395 sodium (with 50% reduced-sodium soy sauce; 481 mg with regular soy sauce); 55 mg cholesterol; 3.6 g fiber

Fu to kobashira no guratan / wheat gluten cake gratin with bay scallops (bechamel sauce version)

A light gratin featuring fluffy fu gluten cakes.

1/2 of recipe (with bechamel sauce made with milk; no additional salt)
326 calories; 20.3 g protein; 15.5 g fat; 26.1 g carbohydrate; 22.9 g net carbs; 286 mg sodium (251 mg sodium when rehydrating fu with soy milk); 62.2 mg cholesterol (52.2 mg sodium when rehydrating fu with soy milk); 3.2 g fiber

1/2 of recipe (with bechamel sauce made with tonyu soy milk, no additional salt)
312 calories; 21.2g  protein; 14.0 g fat; 24.9 g carbohydrate; 20.7 g net carbs; 246 mg sodium (211 mg sodium when rehydrating fu with soy milk); 49.2 mg cholesterol (39.2 mg sodium when rehydrating fu with soy milk); 4.2 g fiber

Tsuruna to shimeji no oisutaasoosu itame / stir-fried New Zealand spinach and shimeji mushrooms with oyster sauce

The earthy taste of tsuruna perfectly complements the flavor of mushrooms. Clear flavoring is a good choice for tsuruna -- let's try oyster sauce for a stir-fry.

Shimeji to ingen no kuroae / shimeji mushrooms and green beans in black sesame tofu dressing

Black is another hue for the table. In this dish, the soft texture of shimeji mushrooms contrasts well with crispy green beans, while yellow viola flowers from the garden perk up the small blackish mound.

Kani to satoimo, horenso no nagaimo soosu guratan / crab, baby taro root and spinach gratin with Chinese yam sauce

A Japanese-style gratin with Chinese yam sauce flavored with white miso and soy sauce. It is much lighter and gentler than a bechamel sauce and cheese gratin. For this gratin, crab is paired with baby taro root -- yet another classic combination in Japanese cuisine -- to make a substantial dish. A bed of sauteed spinach adds additional flavor that also goes well with crab.

Yosenabe / hot pot with assorted ingredients

A very light yet satisfying nabe hot pot served with ponzujoyu citrus-flavored soy sauce. One of the first dishes that comes to our minds when finding fresh fish in winter. Add lots of vegetables to make the broth soft yet deep.

Chirimushi / steamed fish, tofu, vegetables and mushrooms, with citrus-flavored soy sauce

A very light main dish with white fish, tofu and vegetables served with ponzujoyu citrus-flavored soy sauce. Great when you want something gentle that has a refreshing taste.