Understanding Teriyaki: An Exploration of Its Origins and Variations

Teriyaki is a culinary term with varying interpretations depending on geographical and cultural contexts. According to renowned chef Shota Nakajima of Taku Seattle and Kōbo Pizza, teriyaki combines the Japanese words "teri," meaning glazed, and "yaki," meaning grilled. The technique, originating between the 17th and 19th centuries during Japan's Edo period, traditionally involved grilling meat or seafood while brushing it with a tare sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and sake.

In the United States, teriyaki has evolved into a dish often featuring chicken glazed in a soy-sauce-based concoction. Food writer Kiki Aranita identifies it as a distinctly American dish influenced by her Hawaiian background. Japanese immigrants introduced teriyaki to Hawaii, where it adapted to local tastes and available ingredients such as sugar, which replaced mirin in many recipes. This adaptation spread to the mainland, where variations like the inclusion of garlic and ginger became common.

Aranita notes that in Hawaii, the teriyaki sauce often acts as a marinade for different dishes, including Spam and chicken. Rie McClenny, author of “Make It Japanese,” echoes this sentiment by mentioning that creativity in adding ingredients like ginger and garlic enhances the traditional sauce.

Nakajima offers a modern spin on teriyaki with his bottled sauce comprising ginger, garlic, sesame paste, and nutritional yeast. Hawaiian versions might include scallions or pineapple, further emphasizing the sauce's adaptability. McClenny highlights that teriyaki isn't limited to chicken, suggesting yellowtail or even vegetables as alternatives.

Both Nakajima and McClenny note that teriyaki's adaptable and universally appealing flavor profile contributes to its continued popularity, whether it’s used in household recipes or fast-food chain offerings like McDonald’s Japan and Zippy’s in Hawaii.

The versatility of teriyaki sauce—used as a marinade, glaze, or even in braises and hot pots—underlines its ability to transcend cultures and culinary traditions while maintaining its core sweet-savory essence.

Get the recipe: Chicken Teriyaki