Step 1

Combine the sake, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, ginger and sesame oil in a dish that you can steep the chicken in, (I use a 23cm square dish, but anything of similar dimensions would do).

Step 2

Add the prepared chicken pieces and leave for 15 minutes.

Step 3

Heat the peanut oil in a large shallow frying pan or casserole (that has a lid) over medium heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken pieces from the marinade to the pan. Saute them until they look cooked on the outside.

Step 4

Add the marinade to the chicken pieces and bring to a bubble, then turn down the heat to a gentle simmer, put the lid on and cook for about 5 minutes. Cut into a piece of chicken to make sure it's cooked through.

Step 5

Remove the cooked pieces with a slotted spoon (you could keep them in a bowl covered in aluminum foil to keep them warm) and turn the heat up under the pan to let the liquid boil down to a thick dark syrup.

Step 6

Return the chicken pieces back to the pan, stir well so that all the chicken pieces are coated in the sticky savory syrup. Serve with a comforting pile of sushi rice and perhaps some steamed baby bok choy or other veggies of your choice.