Recipe

Ainu-inspired Loose Meat Sandwich

Savory Ainu Delight: Loose Meat Sandwich with a Cultural Twist

4.5 out of 5

This recipe takes the classic American Loose Meat Sandwich and infuses it with the flavors and ingredients of Ainu cuisine, an indigenous cuisine of Japan. The result is a unique and delicious sandwich that pays homage to the rich culinary traditions of the Ainu people.

Sandwich/Wrap› Sandwich› Loose Meat Sandwich

Cuisine of the Americas› American cuisine

Asian cuisine› East Asian cuisine› Japanese cuisine› Ainu cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

25 minutes

Total time

45 minutes

Yields

4 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Omnivore, Low-carb, High-protein, Gluten-free (if using gluten-free buns), Dairy-free

Allergens

Soy (in soy sauce), Miso paste (contains soy and sometimes gluten)

Not suitable for

Vegetarian, Vegan, Pescatarian, Kosher, Halal

Ingredients

In the Ainu-inspired version, the original American Loose Meat Sandwich is enhanced with traditional Ainu ingredients such as wild mushrooms, soy sauce, and miso paste. These additions bring a unique flavor profile and cultural twist to the dish, making it a delightful fusion of American and Ainu cuisines. We alse have the original recipe for Loose Meat Sandwich, so you can check it out.

500g (1.1 lb) ground meat (beef or pork) 500g (1.1 lb) ground meat (beef or pork)
1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
100g (3.5 oz) wild mushrooms, sliced 100g (3.5 oz) wild mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon miso paste 1 tablespoon miso paste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
4 soft buns 4 soft buns
Chopped green onions for garnish Chopped green onions for garnish

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 6g
Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 4g
Protein: 30g
Fiber: 3g
Salt: 2g

Preparation

1.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until translucent.
3.
Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
4.
Stir in the sliced wild mushrooms and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
5.
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce and miso paste until well combined. Pour the mixture into the skillet and stir to coat the meat and mushrooms evenly.
6.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7.
Toast the soft buns until lightly golden.
8.
Spoon the Ainu-inspired meat filling onto the bottom half of each bun. Sprinkle with chopped green onions.
9.
Place the top half of the bun on the filling and serve warm.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Wild mushrooms — If you can't find wild mushrooms, you can substitute them with regular mushrooms or any other mushroom variety of your choice. Just make sure to slice them thinly for even cooking.

Tips & Tricks

For an extra Ainu touch, you can add a small amount of grated ginger to the meat filling for a subtle kick of flavor.
Serve the sandwich with a side of pickled vegetables to complement the savory flavors.
If you prefer a spicier version, add a dash of Ainu hot pepper paste to the meat filling.

Serving advice

Serve the Ainu-inspired Loose Meat Sandwich warm, accompanied by a side of pickled vegetables or a fresh green salad. It pairs well with a refreshing glass of iced green tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can lightly toast the buns on a grill for grill marks. Arrange the sandwich on a wooden cutting board or a rustic plate, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped green onions.