Japanese-style Focaccia

Ingredients

While the original Italian focaccia is known for its robust flavors and Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil and rosemary, this Japanese-style focaccia incorporates lighter and more delicate flavors. It replaces olive oil with sesame oil and adds a hint of soy sauce for a touch of umami. Additionally, traditional Italian herbs are replaced with Japanese ingredients like nori seaweed and black sesame seeds. We alse have the original recipe for Focaccia, so you can check it out.

• 500g (4 cups) bread flour 500g (4 cups) bread flour
• 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) sugar 10g (2 tsp) sugar
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• 2 tbsp sesame oil 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 sheets nori seaweed, crumbled 2 sheets nori seaweed, crumbled
• 2 tbsp black sesame seeds 2 tbsp black sesame seeds

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. 2.
   Gradually add warm water while mixing until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and transfer it to a greased baking sheet.
7. 7.
   Gently press and stretch the dough to cover the entire baking sheet.
8. 8.
   Drizzle sesame oil and soy sauce over the dough, spreading it evenly.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle crumbled nori seaweed and black sesame seeds on top.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Nori seaweed — Crumble the nori seaweed just before using to preserve its crispness and enhance its flavor.
• Black sesame seeds — Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant before using to bring out their nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a softer texture, brush the baked focaccia with a mixture of melted butter and soy sauce immediately after removing it from the oven.
• Experiment with different toppings such as pickled ginger, shiso leaves, or bonito flakes to add more Japanese flavors.
• Serve the Japanese-style focaccia with a side of soy sauce and wasabi for dipping.

Serving advice

Serve the Sakura Focaccia warm or at room temperature as an appetizer, snack, or accompaniment to a Japanese meal. It pairs wonderfully with a bowl of miso soup or alongside a fresh salad.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal, cut the focaccia into small squares or triangles and arrange them on a wooden serving board. Garnish with additional crumbled nori seaweed and black sesame seeds for an elegant touch.