27. Rika's TOKYO CUISINE: Deep-fried Oysters with Panko

Oysters are one of the culinary highlights of winter. Japan's oysters are known for their size and creamy flavor, and in this recipe we'll be using them for two different dishes. Our first is deep-fried oysters, breaded with Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs to make them crunchy outside yet tender inside. We'll also be making oyster rice, letting the rich flavor of the oysters soak into the rice for a delicious finished dish. We'll round things out with a light cabbage salad — the perfect match for a fried main dish — to complete our "oyster festival."