Japadogs (Japanese-Inspired Hot Dogs)
These hot dogs are inspired by the Japadog Terimayo from Vancouver. I’ve never had the real thing, but after seeing them all over TikTok, I had to try making my own. They were so good (and so easy). If you want something fun and delicious with minimal effort, this is it.
Notes
No time for homemade fried onions? Use store-bought crispy onions.
Scoring hot dogs makes them cook faster and gives you better flavor and crispy edges.
Use store-bought fries to keep dinner quick and easy.
Extra toppings? Try pickled ginger, spicy mustard, or a dash of furikake for a fun twist.
Sauce swap: You can use teriyaki sauce if that’s what you have on hand—I used Japanese BBQ sauce (Bachan’s) because it was easier to find and already in my fridge.
Make your own shredded nori: Just stack a few sheets of roasted seaweed and slice them into thin strips with kitchen scissors or a sharp knife.
Japadogs Recipe
Servings: 4
(Makes 8 Japadogs)
Ingredients
Hot Dogs & Assembly
8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns, find recipe here
Kewpie mayo (to taste)
¼ cup Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce (or teriyaki sauce)
Shredded nori (for garnish)
4 Tbsp butter (for toasting buns)
1 Tbsp canola oil (for grilling hot dogs)
Fried Onions
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup buttermilk
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt & pepper to taste
Canola oil, for frying
Directions
1. Fry the Onions
In a bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
In another bowl, add the buttermilk and soak the sliced onions for about 3 minutes.
Coat the onions in the flour mixture. Add a few teaspoons of buttermilk into the flour if needed to help the coating stick.
Heat 1–2 inches of oil in a small pan over medium-high heat.
Fry onions for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Grill the Hot Dogs
Optional: Lightly score the hot dogs diagonally. This helps them cook faster and adds crispy edges.
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook hot dogs for 1–2 minutes per side. In the last minute, brush them with Japanese BBQ sauce to glaze.
3. Toast the Buns
Butter the inside of each bun.
In a clean pan over medium heat, melt 1 Tbsp butter.
Toast buns, cut-side down, until golden and crisp. Work in batches if needed.
4. Assemble the Japadogs
Place hot dogs in the toasted buns.
Drizzle with more Japanese BBQ sauce and Kewpie mayo.
Top with fried onions and shredded nori.
Optional Bento-Style Dinner Add-ons
Serve with frozen fries topped with leftover Gochujang Chili.
Add a veggie side like cucumber kimchi.
Dip fries or veggies in extra Kewpie mayo.
