Kushi Katsu (Vegetarian)
Kushi Katsu is a delightful vegetarian Japanese snack featuring skewered and breaded vegetables that are deep-fried to perfection. This dish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making it a perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Japanese
350 kcal
Ingredients
- Zucchini - 100 grams
- Eggplant - 100 grams
- Red bell pepper - 100 grams
- Mushrooms (shiitake or button) - 100 grams
- Firm tofu - 150 grams
- Panko breadcrumbs - 100 grams
- All-purpose flour - 50 grams
- Cornstarch - 30 grams
- Salt - 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
- Soy sauce - 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable oil for frying - 500 ml
Steps
- 1. Prepare the vegetables by cutting the zucchini, eggplant, and red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Slice the mushrooms and cube the tofu into 1-inch pieces.
- 2. In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper to create the dredging mixture.
- 3. In another bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs. This will be used for coating the skewers.
- 4. Skewer the vegetables and tofu onto bamboo skewers, alternating between different ingredients for variety.
- 5. Dip each skewer into the flour mixture, ensuring it's coated evenly, then shake off any excess flour.
- 6. Next, dip the floured skewer into the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well.
- 7. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- 8. Once the oil is hot, carefully lower the skewers into the oil in batches, frying them for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- 9. Remove the skewers from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- 10. Serve hot with soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 15 g
- Carbs: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Total Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Water: 0.2 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in vitamins and minerals from the assorted vegetables.
- High in fiber, promoting digestive health.
Tags
JapaneseVegetarianSnack