https://oishee.london/blog/ Japanese home cooking, meal prep and private chefs in London. en-gb Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://oishee.london/blog/what-to-expect-private-chef-at-home/ https://oishee.london/blog/what-to-expect-private-chef-at-home/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 The chef arrives at the start time you picked, cooks two or three dishes in three or four hours, portions and labels everything, and leaves your kitchen clean. You need to let them in, leave out some containers and be around when they go. private chefs how it works https://oishee.london/blog/what-is-dashi/ https://oishee.london/blog/what-is-dashi/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Dashi is the light, savoury stock at the base of Japanese cooking. It is usually made from kombu seaweed and dried bonito flakes. Kombu or shiitake alone make a vegetarian version. Japanese food ingredients https://oishee.london/blog/best-japanese-dishes-for-meal-prep/ https://oishee.london/blog/best-japanese-dishes-for-meal-prep/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Simmered dishes like Japanese curry and gyudon are the best Japanese food for meal prep, because they reheat well and freeze well. Sushi, tempura and ramen are the ones to skip. meal prep Japanese food dishes https://oishee.london/blog/private-chef-allergies-dietary-requirements/ https://oishee.london/blog/private-chef-allergies-dietary-requirements/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Tell the chef about every allergy and dietary need when you book, not on the day. Ask which dishes contain your allergens, and expect honesty about traces, because food cooked in a home kitchen can never be guaranteed allergen-free. food safety private chefs https://oishee.london/blog/private-chef-vs-personal-chef/ https://oishee.london/blog/private-chef-vs-personal-chef/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 A private chef usually works for one household full time. A personal chef visits regularly, cooks a batch of meals and leaves them in your fridge. Many people searching for a "private chef" in London actually want the second. private chefs London https://oishee.london/blog/meal-prep-for-new-parents-london/ https://oishee.london/blog/meal-prep-for-new-parents-london/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Book a visit before the birth to stock the freezer, then a pack of visits you book as you need them once the baby arrives. Choose dishes that reheat in the microwave and can be eaten with one hand free, like curry, gyudon and teriyaki. meal prep families London https://oishee.london/blog/meal-prep-delivery-vs-personal-chef/ https://oishee.london/blog/meal-prep-delivery-vs-personal-chef/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Delivery boxes are convenient but cooked days earlier in a central kitchen. Meal kits still leave you cooking. A personal chef cooks in your kitchen on the day, to your choice of dishes, and costs less per portion than many people expect. meal prep London https://oishee.london/blog/katsu-curry-vs-chicken-katsu/ https://oishee.london/blog/katsu-curry-vs-chicken-katsu/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Katsu is the breaded, fried cutlet. Katsu curry is that cutlet served with Japanese curry sauce and rice. In the UK "katsu" is often used to mean the curry sauce itself, which is not how it is used in Japan. dishes Japanese food https://oishee.london/blog/japanese-home-cooking-vs-restaurant-food/ https://oishee.london/blog/japanese-home-cooking-vs-restaurant-food/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Japanese families rarely make sushi or ramen at home. Everyday home cooking is curry, teriyaki, katsu, gyudon, grilled fish and simmered dishes, served with rice, and it is almost impossible to find in London restaurants. Japanese food London https://oishee.london/blog/japanese-food-for-kids/ https://oishee.london/blog/japanese-food-for-kids/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Japanese home cooking is naturally child-friendly. Japanese curry is mild enough for children, and teriyaki, katsu and gyudon are savoury, gently sweet and easy to like. families Japanese food https://oishee.london/blog/japanese-curry-vs-indian-curry/ https://oishee.london/blog/japanese-curry-vs-indian-curry/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Japanese curry is built on a roux, so it is thick, mild and a little sweet, closer to a stew than to an Indian curry. It reached Japan through the British in the Meiji era, which is why it tastes so different. dishes Japanese food https://oishee.london/blog/is-a-personal-chef-worth-it/ https://oishee.london/blog/is-a-personal-chef-worth-it/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 For many busy households, yes. A meal prep visit costs £9.58 to £18.13 a portion and gives you back the shopping, cooking and washing up for the week. It is not worth it if you love cooking or rarely eat at home. private chefs pricing https://oishee.london/blog/vegetarian-japanese-food/ https://oishee.london/blog/vegetarian-japanese-food/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Often not, even when it looks it. Many Japanese broths and sauces are made with dashi, which is usually flavoured with dried bonito fish. A kombu dashi, made with seaweed, is the vegetarian alternative. Japanese food vegetarian https://oishee.london/blog/is-japanese-food-healthy/ https://oishee.london/blog/is-japanese-food-healthy/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Japanese home cooking tends to be balanced, built on rice, a protein and vegetables, with a lot of simmering and grilling. It is not automatically light: some classics are fried, and soy sauce brings salt. Knowing the dish matters more than the cuisine. Japanese food health https://oishee.london/blog/how-to-store-and-freeze-meal-prep/ https://oishee.london/blog/how-to-store-and-freeze-meal-prep/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Cool food quickly, keep your fridge at 5°C or below, eat leftovers within two days and freeze the rest. Rice needs extra care. Eat it within a day, and reheat it only once, until steaming hot. meal prep food safety https://oishee.london/blog/how-to-reheat-katsu/ https://oishee.london/blog/how-to-reheat-katsu/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Use an air fryer, a hot dry pan or a hot oven, and heat until steaming hot all the way through. Avoid the microwave, which steams the panko and leaves the crust soft. dishes meal prep https://oishee.london/blog/how-to-hire-a-private-chef-in-london/ https://oishee.london/blog/how-to-hire-a-private-chef-in-london/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Check that the chef holds a food hygiene certificate, has been vetted in person and can tell you exactly what a visit includes: ingredients, travel, containers, clean-up and cancellation terms. private chefs London https://oishee.london/blog/weekly-meal-prep-how-often-to-book/ https://oishee.london/blog/weekly-meal-prep-how-often-to-book/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Weekly suits people who want most dinners covered, fortnightly suits lighter eaters or a well-used freezer, and monthly works as a reset. If you'll book more than once, a pack of 4 visits saves 5% and a pack of 8 saves 10%, and you book each visit whenever suits you. meal prep pricing London https://oishee.london/blog/how-much-does-a-private-chef-cost-in-london/ https://oishee.london/blog/how-much-does-a-private-chef-cost-in-london/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 It depends on the kind of chef. A weekly meal prep visit is the most affordable way to have one: ours costs £100 to £170 a visit for 8 to 12 portions, with travel included anywhere we cook in London. private chefs pricing London https://oishee.london/blog/high-protein-japanese-meal-prep/ https://oishee.london/blog/high-protein-japanese-meal-prep/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Chicken teriyaki gives the most protein per calorie on our menu, at 50g a portion. Tonkatsu, chicken katsu and gyudon all give 40g or more. The two tofu dishes are the lightest option. meal prep health