Since our move to NYC it is definitely harder to come up with more traditional Japanese side dishes. Here is a good example of three side dishes made with ingredients that are easy to find in any USA supermarket. Hard-boiled eggs provide for a variety from the more popular Japanese omelet (dashimaki tamagoyaki). Broccoli can be steamed and then topped with some mayonnaise. And, finally, pickling cucumbers with some salt or if you prefer sweeter, with a mixture of rice wine vinegar and sugar. Dried shiso leaves, either red or green, is easy to find, and I always keep some in our pantry. It adds a nice dimension to the pickles.
Teriyaki pork over rice. Side dishes are:
hard-boiled egg
cucumbers pickled with salted and dried purple shiso
steamed broccoli with mayonnaise
simmered hijiki, carrots, and green beans
