The word teriyaki is derived from teri, meaning 'shine', and yaki, meaning 'to grill', however teriyaki is not completely restricted to grilling and barbecuing - the marinated foods can also authentically be pan-fried or sautéed.

You can purchase teriyaki sauce ready-made from many supermarkets, however it is also very quick and easy to make yourself providing you have the key ingredients.

Culinary Uses
Teriyaki sauce is traditionally used to marinate and accompany pieces of beef, chicken, duck, oily fish (salmon, tuna, swordfish), plus liver.

These are often cubed and skewered before being grilled or barbecued, however whole fillets and steaks can also be used, as can seafood such as prawns, scallops, octopus and squid.

Kept it a dry dark cupboard, a mass-produced bottle of teriyaki sauce will keep almost indefinitely, however it is good practise to observe the manufacturer's use-by instructions.

More about Japanese cuisine