Food in Yuri!!! on Ice: Japanese-Russian Gastronomy

Food in Yuri!!! on Ice: Japanese-Russian Gastronomy

Yuri!!! on Ice is a figure-skating anime where food plays a surprisingly important role: Japanese katsudon builds character, while Russian pirozhki appear in the Saint Petersburg episodes as a symbol of domestic warmth.

History of the dish

In Yuri!!! on Ice katsudon is not just food but motivation: coach Viktor promises Yuri katsudon as a prize for winning. Pirozhki are mentioned in the Russian episodes as part of the Japan/Russia cultural contrast.

Key ingredients

Katsudon: steamed rice, pork cutlet in panko, egg, onion, dashi, soy sauce, mirin. Pirozhki: yeasted dough, filling (meat and onion, or cabbage, or potato).

How to cook at home

For katsudon: fry the pork cutlet in panko breadcrumbs until golden. In a small pan bring dashi, soy sauce, mirin and onion to a simmer. Break in an egg, cover for 30 seconds. Slide over the rice.