If you’re craving a juicy, flavorful steak with a touch of Japanese flair, my Japanese Wafu Steak is just what you need! I crafted this recipe to deliver perfectly seared steak fillets, served with a zesty wafu style ponzu sauce and garnished with fresh daikon and green onions! It’s a simple yet delicious dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Japan straight to your plate, and it’s ready in no time!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I crafted this Japanese Wafu Steak to bring a restaurant-quality Japanese-steak right to your home kitchen! In case you’re wondering, ‘wafu’ means Japanese style, so I use a similar preparation technique to my Japanese Garlic Steak and Japanese Beef Tataki. It features pan-seared steak fillets finished in the oven and served with my handcrafted Ponzu Steak Sauce, a recipe inspired by my time at previous restaurants and one of my personal favorites!
This sauce uses the same base as my Japanese Wafu Hamburger and Wafu Chicken, adding a bold citrusy twist with garlic that perfectly complements the steak. But if you’re in the mood for a steak with a bit more sweetness instead, my Sweet Japanese Steak Sauce is a fantastic alternative!
Perfect for anyone craving an incredible Japanese steak experience in just 10 minutes, this recipe turns your kitchen into a five-star restaurant. Don’t wait—treat yourself to this amazing meal tonight and experience why it’s one of my absolute favorites!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Steak Fillets – I recommend using 1-inch thick New York strip steak for this recipe, but can also use ribeye or top sirloin cuts.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Black Pepper – ground.
- Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
- Daikon – Japanese radish, grated and used for a garnish. Sold in most Asian or Japanese supermarkets.
- Green Onion – finely chopped green onion scallions.
- Ponzu – a citrus flavored soy sauce found in most Japanese supermarkets, for this recipe Mizkan brand is preferred. Used as the base for the dipping sauce.
- Rice Vinegar – Rice Vinegar distilled from rice used in Asian cuisine and gives this signature flavors in this sauce.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Garlic– freshly grated garlic.
🥢 Ponzu Note
I specifically use Mizkan ponzu to create the sauce. It’s important to note that if you opt for a different brand, adjustments to the amount of sweetener used in the sauce may be necessary.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Directions
Step 1 Season the steak with salt and black pepper, allowing it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
🥩 Seasoning Pro Tip
For even seasoning, try Sprinkling from a Higher Above. Allow the Steak to Rest for 20-30 Minutes after seasoning. This time will enable the steak to absorb the seasoning and reach an even temperature, ensuring a perfectly cooked steak.
Step 2 Prepare steak sauce by combining ponzu, rice vinegar, sweetener and grated garlic in mixing bowl.
Step 3 Add oil to a cast iron skillet and bring it to temperature. Sear the steak for 1-2 minutes per side until it’s nicely browned. Then, place the entire pan in the oven and bake the steak at 425F to your preferred doneness.
🍳 Searing Pro Tip
For the best results, Do Not Move the Stakes when searing.
⏲️ Steak Cooking Times
Steak will keep cooking once removed from the oven, so I recommend to Remove Steaks 5F Before Listed Target Temperature.
Rare – 125F / 1-1.5 Minutes
Medium-rare – 135F / 1.5-2.5 Minutes
Medium – 145F / 2.5-3.5 Minutes
Medium-well – 155F / 3.5-4.5 Minutes
Well-done – 165F / 4.5-6 Minutes
Step 4 Allow the steak to rest at room temperature for 5 minutes after baking. Slice the steak into 1/2 inch thick pieces and transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with grated daikon radish and chopped green onions, and serve with dipping sauce.
Recipe Variations
Using the same preparation technique from this recipe, you can create a variety of delicious variations! For a classic Japanese-Style Chilled Steak, simply chill the steak and serve it with my tataki sauce for a refreshing twist. If you’re after a bolder flavor, try my homemade white wine and garlic sauce to make my Japanese Garlic Steak!
For a Western style option, add a pat of garlic butter on top of the steak before finishing it in the oven, and you’ll have a delectable Garlic Butter Oven Steak. Each variation brings a unique flavor to the table while maintaining the essence of the original recipe!
Pairing Recommendations
To create a complete Japanese-style steakhouse meal, start with a refreshing green salad dressed in my homemade Japanese Wafu Dressing or a creamy Sesame Salad Dressing. Complement the steak with a bowl of steamed rice and a classic Japanese Miso Soup for a complete Japanese inspired meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of steak is best for this recipe?
I prefer using New York steaks for this recipe, but you can also use cuts like ribeye or top sirloin. These cuts cook well and provide a juicy, flavorful steak.
Why do you let the steak rest after baking?
Letting the steak rest after baking allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a more flavorful and tender result. If you cut the steak immediately after baking, the juices will run out, leaving it dry.
Can I make the Ponzu Steak Sauce ahead of time?
- Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Storage Tips
For optimal freshness, store your dish in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay fresh for 3-5 days. When you’re ready to serve again, simply use the microwave to bring it back to room temperature.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Watch How To Make It
Japanese Wafu Steak
Ingredients
Steak
- 2 New York Steak Fillets can also use ribeye, top sirloin, or cut of your choice
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tbsp Cooking Oil neutral, no flavor
- 2 tbsp Daikon Japanese radish, grated
- 1 Stalk Green Onions
Sauce
- 2 tbsp Ponzu
- 2 tsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 tsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 1 Clove Garlic
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Season steaks with salt and black pepper.
- Mix rice vinegar, sweetener, and grated garlic in a mixing bowl to prepare the dipping sauce.
- Coat a cast iron pan with cooking oil and preheat under high heat. Add the steak and sear for 1-2 minutes per side until browned. Transfer the entire pan to a preheated oven and bake to your preferred doneness using the temperature chart provided above.
- Let the steak rest for 5 minutes, then slice it into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Plate the steak and serve with grated daikon, chopped green onions, and a side of the steak dipping sauce.
Nutrition
