What Is Vermicular?

Vermicular is a Japanese brand of enameled cast iron cookware created by Aichi Dobby, a casting manufacturer founded in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, in 1936. Aichi Dobby has long specialized in casting, a process in which molten iron is poured into molds to create specific shapes, as well as precision machining to achieve highly accurate finishes. Vermicular was born by applying this manufacturing expertise to cookware for the home.

One of the defining features of Vermicular cookware is the precision fit between the pot and its lid. The lid and body are machined to a precision of 0.01 mm, creating an exceptionally tight seal.

This tight seal helps retain the moisture naturally released from ingredients, making Vermicular particularly well suited for waterless cooking, a method that requires no added water. Waterless cooking works especially well with ingredients such as vegetables and meat that naturally contain sufficient moisture. Depending on the dish, however, an appropriate amount of water or broth may still need to be added.

Vermicular Oven Pots and Frying Pans feature the brand's proprietary "Instant Evaporation Enamel." By quickly evaporating excess moisture released from ingredients, this technology helps concentrate their natural flavors while providing excellent results when stir-frying or searing meat. When stir-frying vegetables, for example, the moisture released during cooking is less likely to remain in the pot or pan, helping the vegetables retain a pleasantly crisp texture.

Oven Pot

The Oven Pot is Vermicular's signature enameled cast iron pot. It is designed for a wide range of cooking methods, including waterless cooking, braising, soups, steaming, rice cooking, and oven cooking. It particularly excels at dishes that make the most of the natural moisture released from ingredients such as vegetables and meat.

While cast iron pots are often associated with slow-cooked dishes, the Oven Pot is also well‐suited for frying, and is suitable for searing and stir-frying. The shallow version, in particular, is designed for cooking methods such as waterless baking, stir searing, and larger cuts of meat.

This versatility allows you to prepare a wide variety of dishes using just one pot, including:

• Waterless Curry
• Nikujaga (Japanese Meat and Potato Stew)
• Pot-au-Feu
• Soups
• Rice Cooking
• Steamed and Roasted Vegetables
• Seared Meat
• Gratin
• Bread and Other Baked Dishes

Another distinctive appeal of enameled cast iron cookware is that it can go straight from the kitchen to the table after cooking. There is no need to transfer the food to a separate serving dish, as the pot itself makes an attractive centerpiece for the table.

The Oven Pot is available in both deep and shallow versions. The deep version is well‐suited for soups, stews, and other dishes with plenty of liquid. The shallow version, on the other hand, provides more room to spread out ingredients, making it particularly convenient for stir-frying, searing, and waterless baking. Rather than thinking of the Oven Pot as cookware primarily for stews and braised dishes, consider the types of meals you prepare most often when choosing between the deep and shallow versions. This will help you find the option that best suits your everyday cooking style.

Self-Standing Lid

Some Oven Pot models feature a Self-Standing Lid, designed to stand upright on its own when removed from the pot. This allows you to place the lid beside the pot without setting it directly on the countertop, helping keep your cooking area cleaner.

This feature is especially convenient when preparing stews or other dishes that require you to open and close the lid frequently, such as when skimming the surface or checking the ingredients. Since there is no need to find a separate place to set the lid down, cooking feels more convenient and efficient. This seemingly small detail can make a noticeable difference, particularly in kitchens where counter space is limited.

A 26 cm Oven Pot with the Self-Standing Lid is also available. Understated colors such as Matte Black blend naturally into a variety of table settings, making the pot equally suitable for serving directly at the table after cooking.

Keep in mind that although the lid is designed to stand upright, it can become extremely hot during cooking. Always use care when lifting or handling the lid, and use appropriate heat protection, such as oven mitts or pot holders, when necessary.

Basic Knob (Round Knob)

In addition to the Self-Standing Lid, the Oven Pot is also available with a Basic Knob. Its classic knob design gives the pot a timeless, understated appearance, particularly with the shallow version, allowing it to blend elegantly into the table setting when served directly from the pot.

For example, the 26 cm shallow model in Matte Linen Beige offers a generous cooking surface that makes it well-suited for stir-frying, searing meat, and waterless cooking.

Unlike the Self-Standing Lid, however, the Basic Knob lid is not designed to stand upright on its own. If you would like to keep the lid upright when removed from the pot, a dedicated Lid Stand is available separately.

Frying Pans

Vermicular's frying pan series combines cast iron with the brand's proprietary Instant Evaporation Enamel, designed specifically for searing and stir-frying. The lineup includes two product lines: the Oven-Safe Skillet and the EGG & TOAST PAN. Like a conventional frying pan, they can be used for searing meat and fish or stir-frying vegetables, but what sets them apart is the combination of cast iron's excellent heat retention and the enamel's ability to rapidly evaporate excess moisture. By quickly releasing moisture from ingredients during cooking, the pans help keep stir-fried vegetables from becoming watery while making it easier to achieve a flavorful sear on meat.

Vermicular frying pans are designed to work well with cooking oil and help minimize sticking, but one aspect that may take some getting used to at first is preheating. Because cast iron retains heat exceptionally well, adding ingredients once the pan has reached the proper temperature makes it easier to achieve a good sear.

On the other hand, preheating the pan over high heat for too long before adding oil and then the ingredients can cause the temperature to rise excessively, which may lead to sticking or burning. If you continue heating over high heat because the pan does not seem hot enough yet, it can become much hotter than expected before you realize it.

For foods that cook quickly, such as fried eggs or Japanese-style rolled omelets, the pan is generally easier to work with when brought up to temperature gradually over an appropriate heat level rather than heated rapidly over high heat.

Frying Pan & Skillet

One of the key features of the Oven-Safe Skillet is its metal handle. Since the entire skillet, including the handle, can be placed in the oven, it is ideal for dishes that are first seared on the stovetop and then finished in the oven

The body and handle are heat-resistant up to 300°C (572°F). Designed for oven use, the handle is also engineered to resist excessive heat during normal stovetop cooking. This makes the skillet suitable for cooking methods such as searing meat on the stovetop before transferring it directly to the oven, or cooking vegetables and then finishing them in the oven as a gratin-style dish. It can also be used over charcoal and wood fires as well as high-powered commercial burners, making it a practical choice for outdoor cooking.

However, the handle will become hot when used in the oven or exposed directly to high heat. Do not assume that the metal handle is always safe to touch with bare hands. Always use oven mitts or pot holders when handling the skillet immediately after removing it from the oven.

Although the skillet is heat-resistant up to 300°C (572°F), this does not mean it can be used under all heat conditions without restriction. When using it on a stovetop, in an oven, or in an outdoor cooking environment, be sure to check and follow the operating conditions and safety instructions for the equipment being used.

Two types of lids are available separately: a Glass Lid and a Stainless Steel Lid. You can choose the one that best suits your cooking style—the Glass Lid lets you monitor food as it cooks, while the Stainless Steel Lid is suitable for oven cooking.

Egg & Toast Pan

Combining the heat retention of cast iron with Vermicular's Instant Evaporation Enamel, the EGG & TOAST PAN makes it easy to prepare light, fluffy egg dishes while making the most of their natural moisture. Dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelette with dashi) develops a rich flavor and soft, fluffy texture. The pan is also ideal for making buttered toast with a beautifully browned, crisp surface.

With the traditional rectangular shape of a Japanese omelette pan, it is sized to accommodate a single slice of bread. The cooking surface also makes it easy to arrange ingredients such as bacon, sausages, and vegetables. This versatility makes it convenient not only for preparing breakfast but also for making side dishes for bento lunches.

As with other cast iron cookware, however, the EGG & TOAST PAN has a more substantial weight than a conventional Japanese omelette pan. It therefore feels noticeably different to handle compared with lightweight aluminum or nonstick-coated omelette pans.

Cast iron also retains heat well, so the pan remains hot even after the heat is turned off. With egg dishes, waiting until they look completely done before turning off the heat can result in overcooking as the residual heat continues to cook the eggs. For better control, try turning off the heat slightly earlier and allowing the residual heat of the pan to finish the cooking process.

A Stainless Steel Lid is available separately for the EGG & TOAST PAN. Designed specifically for the pan, it can cover food while cooking and stands upright on its own when removed, making it easy to place beside the pan without taking up much space.

Conclusion

Vermicular offers two main cookware series that make the most of its enameled cast iron technology: the Oven Pot and Frying Pan series. Both are designed to handle a variety of cooking methods, including stir-frying and searing, while bringing out the natural moisture and flavor of ingredients.

The Oven Pot is particularly well suited for simmering, rice cooking, and steaming, while the Frying Pan series excels at searing and stir-frying. Combining the cookware with dedicated accessories such as lids and lid stands can make it even more convenient and enjoyable to use while cooking.

Vermicular frying pans are versatile enough for everyday stir-frying and searing. At the same time, their cast iron construction means they differ from conventional aluminum or nonstick-coated frying pans in several ways, including their weight, preheating and temperature control, and the care required to protect the enamel surface.

Once you understand these characteristics, Vermicular cookware can be used for an impressive range of dishes, from everyday stir-fries to leisurely weekend stews. For those who value both excellent cooking results and the enjoyment of using thoughtfully crafted cookware, Vermicular is designed to be a lasting addition to the kitchen.