5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (2024)

5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes

May 28, 2020August 17, 2023Author by Chef JoannaPosted in Uncategorized

5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (1)
5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (2)

Thank you Mimi and Minal for another wonderful Wellness Wednesday with your team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Today, I’m sharing the recipe we did together from the Blue Zone Okinawa, Japan! It’s called the Three-Minute Okinawan Bowl so maybe you already like it 😄 it also requires only 5 ingredients.

This recipe is adapted from The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100. Hope you enjoy this simple, cold noodle salad as the weather warms up. Add your favorite vegetable if you want- here’s the base!

_________

FIVE INGREDIENT OKINAWAN BOWL

Ingredients (4 Servings):

—1 lb. somen noodles or soba noodles
—2 Tbsp. Sesame oil, divided
—1 cup firm tofu, cut into 1 inch chunks, pat dry
—¼ cup chopped green onions or chives
—Soy sauce to taste

—Fresh mint and basil or shiso leaves (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook noodles 2-3 minutes, according to package directions. Drain and toss with 1 Tbsp. Sesame oil to prevent from sticking.

2. In a sauté pan heat remaining sesame oil and fry dry tofu chunks a few minutes until golden brown. Then, toss tofu with noodles and green onions. Add some soy sauce to taste (about 1 Tbsp.) I added sesame seeds for garnish as well as fresh herbs.

3. Thank you Bambi @culinarysnap for giving me the idea of shiso leaves- I used a combo of fresh mint and basil to stand in for my shiso leaves and it was just what the salad needed- a bright fresh touch. .

Enjoy this recipe and the Japanese way to eat for longevity- “hara hachi bu” eat just until 80% full. .
Can’t wait to travel to Costa Rica for the recipe next week!

For more Blue Zones recipes like these, check out the book below!

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5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (3)

_________

UPDATE: I checked back with the students to see if they made the recipe. A few of them did and had great suggestions. I want to share them with you here:

  • add hot sesame oil for spice
  • add green beans for more veggies

Three Minute Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) Thank you Mimi and Minal @tmimi95 @minal_tolani for another wonderful Wellness Wednesday with your team! #childrenshospitalofphiladelphia . Today, I’m sharing the recipe we did together from the Blue Zone Okinawa, Japan! It’s called the Three-Minute Okinawan Bowl so maybe you already like it 😄 it also requires only 5 ingredients. . This recipe is taken from The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100. Hope you enjoy this simple, cold noodle salad as the weather warms up. Add your favorite vegetable if you want- here’s the base! . THREE MINUTE OKINAWAN BOWL . —1 lb. somen noodles —2 Tbsp. Sesame oil, divided —1 c firm tofu, cut into 1 inch chunks, pat dry —¼ cup chopped green onions or chives —Soy sauce to taste . Cook noodles 2-3 minutes, according to package directions. Drain and toss with 1 Tbsp. Sesame oil to prevent from sticking. . In a sauté pan heat remaining sesame oil and fry dry tofu chunks a few minutes until golden brown. Then, toss tofu with noodles and green onions. Add some soy sauce to taste (about 1 Tbsp.) I added sesame seeds for garnish as well as fresh herbs. . Thank you Bambi @culinarysnap for giving me the idea of shiso leaves- I used a combo of fresh mint and basil to stand in for my shiso leaves and it was just what the salad needed- a bright fresh touch. . Enjoy this recipe and the Japanese way to eat for longevity- “hara hachi bu” eat just until 80% full. . Can’t wait to travel to Costa Rica for the recipe next week! . #bluezoneskitchen #bluezones #bluezoneskitchen #longevity #japan #bluezonesdiet #vegan #plantbased #tofu #instarecipe #somennoodles #childrenshospitalofphiladelphia #wellness #corporatewellness #corporatewellnessprogram #wellnesswednesday @bluezones #wellnesschef #healthychef #harahachibuA post shared by Chef Joanna’s Kitchen (@chefjoannas) on

5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (4)

FIVE INGREDIENT OKINAWAN BOWL

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. somen noodles or soba noodles
  • 2 Tbsp. Sesame oil divided
  • 1 cup firm tofu cut into 1 inch chunks, pat dry
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions or chives
  • Soy sauce to taste

Instructions

Directions:

  • Cook noodles 2-3 minutes, according to package directions. Drain and toss with 1 Tbsp. Sesame oil to prevent from sticking.

  • In a sauté pan heat remaining sesame oil and fry dry tofu chunks a few minutes until golden brown. Then, toss tofu with noodles and green onions. Add some soy sauce to taste (about 1 Tbsp.) I added sesame seeds for garnish as well as fresh herbs.

  • Thank you Bambi @culinarysnap for giving me the idea of shiso leaves- I used a combo of fresh mint and basil to stand in for my shiso leaves and it was just what the salad needed- a bright fresh touch. .

Notes

Enjoy this recipe and the Japanese way to eat for longevity- “hara hachi bu” eat just until 80% full. .
Can’t wait to travel to Costa Rica for the recipe next week!

For more Blue Zones recipes like these, check out the book below!

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5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (5)

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5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? (2024)

FAQs

5 Ingredient Okinawan Bowl 🇯🇵🌱 (vegan) | Blue Zones Recipes - What's in the fridge? ›

Blue Zones are regions of the world where people regularly live longer than average. Okinawa, Japan is a Blue Zone and home to the longest-lived women in the world. People form tight-knit friendship groups in childhood that support them into old age.

What is the purpose of the Blue Zones in Okinawa? ›

Blue Zones are regions of the world where people regularly live longer than average. Okinawa, Japan is a Blue Zone and home to the longest-lived women in the world. People form tight-knit friendship groups in childhood that support them into old age.

What is the life expectancy in Okinawa? ›

In Okinawa, residents are less likely to develop cancer, heart disease, and dementia than Americans, and the women of Okinawa have an average life expectancy of 87.44 years, nearly 10 years longer than the average American woman.

What do Okinawans eat for lunch? ›

Traditional Okinawan Lunch and Dinner

Stir-fries of bitter melon, cabbage and bamboo would often be served alongside small amounts of fish, pork, tofu or the occasional egg.

What do Okinawans eat for breakfast? ›

Miso soup with rice is high in protein and low in saturated fat. Buettner said that people in the Okinawa Blue Zone usually eat a miso soup for breakfast with root vegetables and tofu.

What are three most important secrets of the Okinawan longevity? ›

That comes down to three main factors—diet, social practices, and genetics—explains Craig Willcox, a professor of public health and gerontology at Okinawa International University and a co-principal investigator of the Okinawa Centenarian Study, which has been investigating Okinawan longevity since 1975.

Do Okinawans eat eggs? ›

The Okinawa diet is very low in red meat, eggs, and poultry, but you may still be able to get enough protein from soy, fish, and the occasional pork. You may also be able to get enough nutrition without whole grains and dairy, but it can be difficult to follow a diet that's this restrictive for the long term.

Do Okinawans eat sugar? ›

Research suggests that diets associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases are similar to the traditional Okinawan diet, that is, vegetable and fruit heavy (therefore phytonutrient and antioxidant rich) but reduced in meat, refined grains, saturated fat, sugar, salt, and full-fat dairy products.

What is the super fruit in Okinawa? ›

Shikuwasa, or shekwasha, is an Okinawan citrus fruit that is rich in citric acid and polyphenols. It is believed to have antioxidant properties, and in addition to food, it is sometimes used in skincare products. Sugarcane, or uji, is the largest crop of Okinawa Prefecture.

Is $5000 enough for a week in Japan? ›

A 7-day trip can range from $1,000 to $2,500, covering accommodation, meals, transportation, and activities. Is $5,000 enough to travel to Japan? Yes, $5,000 is generally sufficient for a comfortable trip, including airfare, accommodation, meals, and activities.

What is the 80% rule of the Okinawans? ›

For example, Okinawans repeat a 2,500-year-old mantra "Hara hachi bu” before meals, which reminds them to eat mindfully and stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full. That's called the 80% Rule, which can help reduce calories, prevent weight gain, and avoid chronic diseases.

Do Okinawans eat rice? ›

As proportions of total caloric intake, foods in the traditional Okinawa diet included sweet potato (69%), rice (12%), other grains (7%), legumes including soy (6%), green and yellow vegetables (3%), refined oils (2%), fish (1%) and seaweed, meat (mostly pork), refined sugars, potato, egg, nuts and seeds, dairy and ...

What do Okinawans say before eating? ›

If you've ever been lucky enough to eat with an Okinawan elder, you've invariably heard them intone this Confucian-inspired adage before beginning the meal: hara hachi bu — a reminder to stop eating when their stomachs are 80 percent full.

What oil does Okinawa use? ›

When Okinawans fry fish, their oil of choice is canola, which is said to be even healthier than olive oil. The plentiful consumption of fish explains why the elders have unusually strong bones.

Do Okinawans eat oatmeal? ›

It is based on whole intact grains – including oat, barley, rye, wheat and millet – plenty of vegetables in all colours, root fruits, beans and legumes, some fish and poultry, vegetable oils, fruits, berries, nuts and seeds. It is limited in sugar, salt, red meat, processed meats and fatty dairy products.

What is the goal of Blue Zones? ›

The blue zones areas of the world share and benefit from a set of habits that we call the Power 9: practices that—together—increase longevity, health, and happiness. Our research has shown that these sets of behaviors and outlooks benefit people in these ways: Longer, healthier life.

What is the overall point of the Blue Zones project? ›

Blue Zones Project® is helping transform communities across North America into areas where the healthy choice is easy and people live longer with a higher quality of life.

What was the purpose of attacking Okinawa? ›

Taking Okinawa would provide Allied forces an airbase from which bombers could strike Japan and an advanced anchorage for Allied fleets. From Okinawa, US forces could increase air strikes against Japan and blockade important logistical routes, denying the home islands of vital commodities.

Why are people in Okinawa so healthy? ›

Although not entirely plant-based, a traditional Okinawan diet consists of around 90% whole-plant foods such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, and grains. In addition, Okinawan people tend to only consume a small amount of fish, meat, dairy, and eggs throughout the year.

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