For Beginners Living Alone Who Are Total Cooking Novices! Essential Cooking Tools to Get First

April is almost here.
It's a time when many people start a new life!
Perhaps some of you are taking on the challenge of "living alone for the first time" due to starting school, a new job, or a solo transfer.

“I’ve hardly ever cooked before…”
“I’ve always left the cooking to my parents or spouse…”

For those total cooking novices, I, who have lived alone for over 10 years, will introduce“the cooking tools you should get first”!

The first thing you should buy is a frying pan!

Cute pots, one-of-a-kind pots made by artisans, pots produced by famous chefs… there are many attractive cooking utensils in the world, but the first thing you should buy is a
frying pan.

Recommended frying pan criteria
• Deep type with a diameter of 24–28 cm(This size is versatile if you live alone!)
• Teflon coating(non-stick)
• With a lid(It changes the finish of frozen gyoza and fried eggs!)

Wait, isn't it an iron frying pan?

“Doesn't Teflon wear out quickly?”
“Iron is a lifelong item, right?”

I can hear those voices… and that’s true!

Teflon-coated frying pans need to be replaced every 1–2 years.
Iron frying pans are durable and can be used for a long time, and with proper care, they can last a lifetime.

However, the target of this article is“cooking beginners”. Iron frying pans are difficult to master and require care before and after use, so the hurdle is high.

Therefore, it is best to start with a Teflon frying pan and try iron once you get used to it!

Reasons to recommend a Teflon-coated frying pan

① It doesn't stick, so cooking is easy!
With Teflon coating, egg dishes, fish, gyoza, etc., are less likely to burn, reducing failures.

② It's healthy with less oil!
You can cook with almost no oil, so you can make low-calorie dishes.

③ One frying pan can also replace a “pot”!
Stews and soups are also fine. You don't need to add more pots, so you won't have trouble with storage even in a small kitchen.

④ Easy to wash and clean up!
Because ingredients don't stick easily, you can wash off dirt just by giving it a quick rinse. Cooking is “more of a hassle to clean up than to make,” so this is a super important point.

⑤ A versatile item that can make anything!
Stir-fries, grilled dishes, stews, hot pot dishes, pasta, fried eggs… You can do almost everything with just one Teflon-coated frying pan.

Points to Note About Teflon Frying Pans

Teflon is convenient, but if you use it incorrectly, it will be ruined quickly.

① Not suitable for high-heat cooking
Dry heating and high heat are no-gos! They shorten the lifespan of the Teflon.

② Do not leave food in the pan
If you make too much, transfer it to a storage container.

Recommended storage containers are here!
▶ Iwaki Heat-Resistant Glass Containers
(Microwave-safe and can be served directly on the table!)

③ Do not use metal spatulas
They scratch easily, so use silicone or wooden spatulas.

Recommended items
▶ MUJI Silicone Spoon
(A versatile item that can stir and scoop with just one tool!)
▶ MUJI Spatula
(Can also be used as a turner!)

The next thing to get is a "kettle"

You can make most dishes with a frying pan, but you should prepare a separate tool just for boiling water.

No matter how easy a frying pan is to wash, it is difficult to remove all the oil...
You wouldn't want water with oil floating in it when drinking tea or coffee, right?

Your options are a kettle, a saucepan, or an electric kettle.

My personal recommendation is the "Noda Horo Kettle"!
▶ Noda Horo Kettle
• The shape is cute and lifts your spirits
• Available in a wide range of colors to accent your kitchen

However, the handle is also made of enamel, so it gets hot!
Use oven mitts.

Summary

These are the two cooking tools that beginners living alone should get first!

• Teflon-coated frying pan (+ lid)
• Kettle or electric kettle for boiling water

Recently, eating out has become more expensive, so developing the habit of cooking for yourself is good for both your health and your wallet.

That said, it's hard to make everything from scratch at first, so let's take it easy while also utilizing frozen foods and retort pouches!

Wishing you a fulfilling new life!