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Cook Do®: Transforming Everyday Meals

On March 18, 2026, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. held a media event to celebrate the completion of the initiative titled "Cook Do®: This is also OK! 99 Recipes." With a focus on stir-frying using common ingredients, this event showcased 99 unique recipes aimed at making home cooking more accessible and fun. Over the past few years, many families have shifted towards homemade meals due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising costs, leading to a growing frequency of stir-fried dishes making their way to dining tables.

A survey revealed that around 70% of respondents view stir-fry as a central part of their daily meals. However, they expressed that achieving the right flavor can often be challenging, with a lack of memorable dish names leading to a feeling of accomplishment. This feedback prompted Ajinomoto to leverage the versatility of its Cook Do® brand, encouraging a broader approach to recipe creation. Instead of limiting options to specific ingredients, the brand allows for creative freedom in utilizing whatever food items are on hand. To this end, the 99 new recipes were accompanied by catchy names that invite families to experiment and enjoy their mealtime experience.

The event featured popular duo Rainbow’s Jumbo Takao and Ikeda Naoto, who shared their top picks for must-try recipes from the new selection. An exciting highlight was the debut of a special "phantom 100th dish" created by Jumbo Takao, which was voted on for a fun, live taste test.

"Our aim is to make stir-frying with everyday ingredients not just a necessity but an enjoyable activity for everyone involved," stated Hiroshi Asao, in charge of consumer foods at Ajinomoto. His insights underscored the motivation behind the initiative, especially in a time when many face dilemmas of flavor and complexity in cooking.

The inspiration for these recipes stemmed from at-home experiences shared by fellow cooks and reinforced with feedback collected on common pain points in cooking, such as the struggle for achieving consistent flavors. The success comes from Ajinomoto’s commitment to flavor—developed over 48 years—and a desire to ensure that every meal made with Cook Do® tastes exceptional, whatever the ingredients might be.

Among the recipes featured was "Mapo Natto Eggplant," created with the Mapo Eggplant sauce, made notably by Ikeda Naoto, who remarked on how delightful the dish was, stating, "I never thought I could enjoy natto this much!" This sentiment echoed in the other recipes as well, with Jumbo Takao’s rendition of a cold stir-fry with pork showcasing the ease of creating restaurant-quality meals at home. Speaking of the cooking process, he reflected on how effortlessly flavors melded together.

As the event progressed, guests sampled over 20 different dishes, and both Jumbo and Ikeda expressed excitement at the variety and flavors presented, noting that they felt inspired to try making these recipes themselves. They shared experiences of successful meals made more enjoyable through the use of Cook Do® sauces, emphasizing the importance of approachable cooking based on what one already has on hand.

Finally, participants were invited to engage in the upcoming "Cook Do®: This is also OK! 99 Recipes" awards, where fans of the brand can vote for their favorite recipe and potentially win prizes. Starting March 19, 2026, these engaging initiatives reinforce Ajinomoto’s ongoing commitment to enriching family meals with ease, creativity, and flavor.

The successful launch of the new recipe line has encouraged many to look forward to future collaborations between their favorite ingredients and Cook Do®. As the culinary landscape shifts toward more inclusive and joyful cooking experiences, Ajinomoto continues to stand at the forefront, ensuring that every dining experience is a reason to cheer—and enjoy.

With Cook Do®, meal times become less about routine and more about innovation, excitement, and family bonding.