Recipe Highlights
These Japanese Corn Canines are Japan’s tackle traditional American corn canines. After I noticed them on Netflix’s “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Tales” sequence, I used to be struck by the straightforward recipe. I grew up consuming these on the conbini (comfort retailer), however by no means knew I may make them at residence. They’re a go-to after-school snack and a crowd-pleaser at events.
Right here’s why I maintain coming again to this recipe:
- Crisp exterior, mild and cakey inside
- Easy batter—no cornmeal wanted
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead snacking
In the event you love traditional Japanese snacks, attempt my Yakisoba Pan, Japanese Croquettes, and Japanese Egg Sandwich subsequent!
What’s a Japanese Corn Canine?
Within the US, a corn canine is a scorching canine coated in cornmeal batter. Japan’s model—known as an American Canine (アメリカンドッグ)—swaps in gentle fish sausage and a lighter, airier hotcake-mix batter as a substitute of cornmeal.
You’ll discover Japanese corn canines offered as avenue meals at summer season festivals and in comfort shops year-round.
Elements for Japanese Corn Canines
For the Batter
Additionally, you will want disposable wood chopsticks or wood skewers
Discover the printable recipe with measurements beneath.
Find out how to Make Japanese Corn Canines
- Prep the new canines and sticks. Lower every scorching canine crosswise to about two-thirds its size. Cut up and shorten your chopsticks, then push one into every scorching canine, leaving a deal with.
- Make the batter. In a bowl, mix the egg and milk. Add the hotcake combine, whisking till clean and thick.
- Warmth the oil. Fill a pot with 3 cups of oil, about 3–4 inches. Warmth to 320–340°F (160–170°C).
- Coat every scorching canine. Pour the batter right into a tall glass. Dip and switch every scorching canine till coated. Let the surplus batter drip off earlier than flipping proper aspect up.
- Fry and serve. Fry two at a time within the scorching oil, rotating as they float, till golden. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Serve with ketchup and mustard.
Make Forward Suggestions
- Prep early – Lower the new canines and insert the skewers earlier within the day. Hold them chilled within the fridge till able to fry.
Storage and Reheating Suggestions
To retailer: Hold leftovers in an hermetic container. Refrigerate for as much as 3–4 days, or freeze for as much as 1 month.
To reheat: Place on a baking sheet in an oven or toaster oven. Warmth for about 10–12 minutes at 375°F (190°C), till warmed by means of. This retains the corn canines crispy—I don’t suggest reheating within the microwave.
Variations
This recipe is versatile—listed below are some concepts to get you began.
- Strive fish sausage. In Japan, “American canines” use fish sausage (魚肉ソーセージ). Give it a attempt if you could find it in your Japanese grocery store. It tastes gentle, not fishy.
- Swap the protein. Use rooster, pork, or beef franks rather than the standard scorching canines.
- Make mini corn canines. Lower the new canines smaller and use toothpicks or popsicle sticks as handles for enjoyable, snackable bites.
What to Serve with Japanese Corn Canines
This recipe is nice served as a primary dish for events and get-togethers. Listed here are my solutions:
FAQ
Can I make this corn canine recipe with out cornmeal?
Sure, Japanese corn canine recipes sometimes use hotcake combine as a substitute of cornmeal, for a barely candy, mild, and cakey coating.
What kind of sausage ought to I take advantage of?
Decide a thicker scorching canine so the batter has one thing to grip. In Japan, fish sausage (魚肉ソーセージ) is the traditional selection.
Are these corn canines candy?
Sure, a bit of. The pancake-mix coating consists of some sugar, so it tastes sweeter than a cornmeal-based corn canine however not overly so.
How is a Japanese corn canine completely different from a Korean corn canine?
Korean corn canines have a doughier coating and a wide range of fillings—like fish desserts, rice desserts, spam, and mozzarella cheese. They’re typically rolled in potato cubes, french fries, or panko breadcrumbs earlier than frying, then completed with a sprinkle of sugar. Japanese corn canines maintain a lighter, cakey texture with out the toppings.
I’d love to listen to how yours turned out! 💛 Please go away a star ranking and remark beneath to share your expertise. Your suggestions not solely helps Simply One Cookbook but in addition helps different residence cooks uncover recipes they’ll belief.
Japanese Corn Canines
To Put together the Sizzling Canines and Sticks
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Lower the 4 scorching canines/sausages crosswise to about two-thirds of their size (roughly 4 inches/10 cm)—this can fluctuate relying in your scorching canine measurement.Cut up the disposable chopsticks aside, then measure in opposition to a scorching canine: you will insert them about three-quarters deep, leaving a 2½-inch (6.5 cm) deal with uncovered. Trim any extra from the blunt ends with kitchen shears (I minimize about 3 inches/7.5 cm).Nami’s Tip: In case your scorching canines are lengthy, minimize them in half. Save the leftover scorching canine items to make mini corn canines.
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Push a chopstick into the new canine’s sliced finish, about three-quarters of the way in which up. Go away about 2½ inches (6.5 cm) of stick uncovered for the deal with.Nami’s Tip: Use popsicle sticks or bamboo skewers for the smaller scorching canines/sausages.
To Fry the Corn Canines
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Add 3–4 inches impartial oil to a big heavy pot, Dutch oven, or deep fryer—about 3 cups, or sufficient to submerge the new canines. Preheat the oil to 320–340ºF (160–170ºC) over medium-high warmth.When the oil is preheated, pour the batter right into a tall glass (the key to a good coating!). Dip one scorching canine into the batter, turning till it is fully coated. Elevate and let the surplus batter drip off the tip, then flip it upright earlier than frying.Nami’s Tip: I take advantage of an immediate learn thermometer or a deep-fry thermometer for accuracy. You may also dip a chopstick tip into the oil—if bubbles rise, the oil is prepared.
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Add the primary corn canine to the oil. Then, shortly dip the second and add it in. Do not crowd the pot, and do not let the oil temperature get too low, or the batter will take in an excessive amount of oil.Nami’s Tip: Maintain the new canines in place with tongs in the event that they rotate on their very own, to brown them evenly. Study extra in Find out how to Deep-Fry Meals at Dwelling.
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Once they float to the floor, rotate them with tongs or cooking chopsticks to brown the opposite aspect. Cook dinner till deep golden brown, about 3 minutes whole. Switch to a wire rack or a tray lined with a paper towel. Fry the remaining corn canines.
- Sizzling canines: For this recipe, I used American Wagyu Connoisseur Sizzling Canines from Snake River Farms (bought from my native Japanese grocery retailer Nijiya). In Japan, we use fish sausage (魚肉ソーセージ) for American canines. You might be stunned that they don’t have a fishy style—it’s a lighter model of scorching canine, with out the sturdy meaty style or scent.
Variations
- Swap the protein. Use rooster, pork, veggie or beef franks rather than the standard scorching canine.
- Make mini corn canines. Lower the new canines smaller and use toothpicks or popsicle sticks as handles for enjoyable, snackable bites.
- Change up the condiments. Strive them with my Selfmade Okonomiyaki Sauce and Japanese Mayonnaise.
Energy: 346kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 10g, Fats: 25g, Saturated Fats: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 6g, Trans Fats: 1g, Ldl cholesterol: 96mg, Sodium: 527mg, Potassium: 195mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 207IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 131mg, Iron: 2mg
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Editor’s Be aware: This submit was initially printed on Might 24, 2017, and republished with extra useful data on July 4, 2026.
