Tsukune is usually made with chicken mince (although it does not have to be with chicken), binder agent (e.g. egg or starch) with condiments. In my recipe, I use grated onion, ooba leaves, mayonnaise, ginger paste, miso...etc to add more flavour and texture.

What is tsukune in Japanese?

Tsukune is spelt as "つくね" in Japanese hiragana and doesn't have kanji (Chinese) characters.

What is the definition of yakitori?

According to Japan Yakitori Association , the definition of yakitori goes, 1. Made from chicken, pork, beef, or other livestock (including wild game) meat or offal. 2. Skewered in bite-size pieces. 3. Seasoned with salt or sauce and grilled.

Chicken Tsukune (Japanese Glazed Meatballs)

Name: Chicken Tsukune (Japanese Glazed Meatballs)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1/4 onion grated; 250g chicken mince; 5 ooba leaves (shiso/perilla) thinly sliced; 1 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise; 1 tsp grated ginger (or ginger paste); 1/2 tsp miso paste (I used awase miso); 1 tsp Chinese chicken stock powder; 2 tbsp potato starch (katakuriko); 1 pinch black pepper; 1 tsp vegetable oil (plus extra oiling hands); 5 bamboo skewers (optional); Pasteurised egg yolk for dipping (optional); 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 1/2 tbsp mirin; 1 tbsp sugar; 1 tsp red wine

Description

How to make delicious homemade Chicken Tsukune (Japanese meatballs) coated in a sweet and sticky soy sauce based glaze. (Makes 5 skewers)

Ingredients

1/4 onion grated
250g chicken mince
5 ooba leaves (shiso/perilla) thinly sliced
1 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise
1 tsp grated ginger (or ginger paste)
1/2 tsp miso paste (I used awase miso)
1 tsp Chinese chicken stock powder
2 tbsp potato starch (katakuriko)
1 pinch black pepper
1 tsp vegetable oil (plus extra oiling hands)
5 bamboo skewers (optional)
Pasteurised egg yolk for dipping (optional)

Sauce

1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp red wine

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Instructions

Add the onion, chicken mince, ooba leaves, mayo, ginger, miso paste, chicken stock powder, potato starch and black pepper to a large mixing bowl.
Mix with a silicone spatula until the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout and the mixture has combined and reached a sticky consistency.
Divide into 5 equal pieces (for balls, divide into 12-15 pieces to make 4-5 skewers with 3 meatballs on each). Grease your hands with oil and shape into oblongs or balls. (If you don't want to get your hands dirty, transfer each piece to a piece of baking parchment and shape using a spoon.)
Heat pan on medium and drizzle 1 tsp of oil. Once hot, add the tsukune to the pan and fry until crispy underneath.
Flip and repeat on the other side.
While the tsukune are frying, mix the soy sauce, mirin, red wine and sugar in small bowl.
Once both sides are crispy and the meat is cooked through, add the sauce to the pan and turn off the heat, the sauce will thicken in the residual heat. Move the tsukune around the pan and make sure they're evenly coated all over.
Push onto skewers, sprinkle with sesame seeds and spring onion. Optional: serve with egg yolk for dipping.
Enjoy!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Chicken
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Japanese

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