Remember biting into that crispy tonkatsu at your favourite Japanese restaurant with a satisfying and loud crunch? Ever come home wanting to experiment but unsure how to begin? Well, you can start with panko breadcrumbs!
Panko breadcrumbs are very light in texture and usually used to coat ingredients like chicken, pork and seafood. They can also be used to crumb vegetables and even fruits like bananas!
But, what exactly are panko breadcrumbs and how do they differ from normal breadcrumbs? Well, the word “panko” is derived from the Japanese word “pan”, meaning bread and “ko”, meaning flour. This unique name simply describes a type of breadcrumb that is reputed to have a lighter and flakier texture as compared to regular bread crumbs. Plain breadcrumbs, while they can still be crispy when cooked well, are definitely not as crackly when bitten into.
Another difference is that these plain and regular breadcrumbs are made from any type of baked bread such as white or wheat. Panko breadcrumbs, however, are made from bread baked by an electric current, which produces a bread without a crust. This loaf is then ground to fine silvers of crumb.
Panko breadcrumbs hence absorb less oil during the frying process compared to normal breadcrumbs, yet it simulates the taste of fried foods really well. This results in a crunchier bite that stays crisp longer and is also a healthier option when it comes to breading foods for frying, like this potato snack.
Breading food for frying has actually long been a favourite Japanese style of cooking. Using Obento Panko Breadcrumbs, you can also try your hand at many Japanese dishes, including the ever popular tonkatsu (crispy pork cutlet).
Tonkatsu is made by coating pork with panko breadcrumbs, flour and egg. The pork is then deep fried to a crispy golden brown on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. You can then use Obento Tonkatsu sauce as a dip, to complete the umami seasoning typical of Japanese cuisine for this deep fried piece of yummy goodness.
Obento Tonkatsu sauce is made from apple purée, tomato paste, onion, brewed vinegar, salt and spices. Therefore, dipping your tonkatsu in this sauce before taking a crunchy bite creates a satisfying burst of flavour in your mouth as juicy meat meets with sweet, savoury richness.
If you want to take this combination of flavours to go, you can try making tonkatsu in a sandwich form as well, drizzling the sauce over the crispy panko crumbed tonkatsu like a dressing. And before you think that this thick, brown liquid can only be used as a dipping sauce or dressing only, we’re here to tell you that this flavourful sauce can be used to stir fry noodles such as udon too.
So don’t be disheartened if you haven’t managed to recreate that perfect crispy tonkatsu dish. You can try it now with Obento Panko Breadcrumbs and Obento Tonkatsu sauce right in your own home.
About Obento
Obento is one of the leading Japanese food brands that has been in the Australian supermarkets since 2002. They provide authentic Japanese flavours to everyone with its comprehensive range of food products. From a complete range of the Japanese staple condiments including mirin seasoning, cooking sake, rice wine vinegar, yakitori sauce, ponzu sauce, sushi & sashimi soy sauce, sushi seasoning, to other foodstuff and ingredients such as panko breadcrumbs, tempura mix, a variety of noodles, yaki nori seaweed, sushi rice, sushi kit and more! To discover what other Obento products are on the shelves, do check them out at your local supermarket.