Nikujaga (beef with fried potatoes)

Nikujaga, literally translated as "meat and potatoes," is a hearty and popular comfort food dish in Japan characterized by its sweet and salty soy sauce broth. Particularly appreciated during the cooler months, this dish offers comfort and warmth with its nutritious and filling ingredients. The history of nikujaga dates back to the late 19th century, and it is often associated with the modernization of the Japanese navy, when Western influences began to enter Japanese cuisine. Traditionally, nikujaga consists of thinly sliced ​​beef that is slowly cooked with potatoes, onions, and sometimes carrots in a sweet soy sauce, sake, and mirin. The potatoes are often lightly seared before being added to the casserole, which gives them a more robust texture and helps prevent them from falling apart during slow cooking.