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Dive into these delicious Japanese recipes, including some of our own favorites and some incredible creations from renowned Japanese recipe developers. From sushi to ramen, explore the flavors of Japan and bring them to your kitchen!
Craving Japanese flavors? Alex and I are passionate about Japanese cuisine, especially after traveling to the country and exploring the deliciousness of this cuisine. Here we’re excited to share a collection of some of our favorite essential Japanese recipes to try at home!
We’ve featured a few from our website, along with some truly exceptional dishes from our friends at Just One Cookbook, a website of authentic Japanese recipes written by Nami (who we were fortunate to meet in person!). From comforting classics like ramen and tempura to delicate sushi rolls and savory okonomiyaki, there’s something for everyone in this list.
Essential Japanese recipes (recipe list)
Maki sushi is simply a sushi roll! It’s rolled sushi with seaweed on the outside and rice and fillings on the inside. Maki sushi can be filled with raw fish, cooked fish, or other vegetables and sauces. Try this recipe or this tasty vegan sushi.
Soba noodles are thin Japanese buckwheat noodles, often served cold with dipping sauce. This simple soba noodles recipe is fast and full of flavor: perfect as a style side dish or easy dinner.
Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup with broth, toppings like pork, egg, and vegetables. This easy tofu ramen recipe features crispy pan-fried tofu and a slurpable miso broth! It makes a delicious plant based Japanese dinner recipe.
Edamame is often served as a Japanese appetizer or side dish recipe. The soybeans in their pods are boiled or steamed, then served with a generous spinkle of salt.
Need an easy Japanese dinner recipe? This teriyaki salmon is a weeknight go-to! The pan seared fillet is glazed with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.
Try Japanese chicken curry recipe for a weeknight dinner! This Japanese version of curry stars tender pieces of chicken, carrots, and potatoes are cooked in a rich, savory sauce.
This roasted Japanese eggplant is a tasty way to prepare the traditional vegetable. Roasting eggplant makes it lusciously tender, and with a sauce of garlic, ginger, and Sriracha, it’s irresistible.
It‘s easy to make authentic and homemade Japanese Miso Soup! Here's how to make quick and easy soup stock (dashi) from scratch, then create classic miso soup with tofu and wakame seaweed.
Learn how to make tender and juicy Chicken Teriyaki at home in less than 20 minutes using the traditional Japanese cooking method. You‘ll love the succulent and pan-seared boneless chicken thighs glazed in an easy, four-ingredient homemade sauce.
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese cabbage pancake “grilled as you like it“ with your choice of protein and tasty condiments and toppings. This recipe for the popular Osaka street food includes key ingredients that give it a truly authentic taste.
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this homemade Tonkatsu recipe (Japanese Pork Cutlet) has a light, airy crust. Serve it with tangy sesame tonkatsu sauce for an extra savory touch. We fell in love with tonkatsu when visiting Japan.
This homemade recipe makes those famous Japanese pan-fried dumplings that are crisp and golden on the bottom and juicy inside. Dipped in a savory sauce, they’re a mouthwatering treat. We order gyoza as an appetizer almost every time we get sushi!
Udon are the thick and chewy wheat flour noodles served hot or cold. They're nestled in a delicate broth in this udon noodle soup recipe, all about simplicity and comfort. This is another favorite Japanese recipe from when we visited the country!
Onigiri are Japanese Rice Balls, often wrapped in seaweed and with various fillings. These make an ideal quick snack and a fun alternative to sandwiches for lunch.
Yakisoba is a classic Japanese recipe of stir-fried noodles with meat, vegetables, and a sweet savory sauce. Use any proteins you like—pork, chicken, shrimp, or calamari. For vegetarian, swap in tofu.
A classic Japanese recipe is a rice omelette called Omurice. It’s a home-cooking staple in Japan adored by people of all ages.
Japanese Milk Bread (Shokupan) is a classic Japanese recipe: it's got a soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. It's great for breakfast toast and sandwiches.
Smothered with sweet-savory homemade teriyaki sauce, this Teriyaki Tofu Bowl is easy and delicious! It’s also a great way to incorporate tofu into your weeknight dinner rotation.
The classic Japanese Fried Rice (Yakimeshi) with ham, egg, and green onion is a delicious one-pan meal that you can whip up in under 20 minutes. It’s a great Japanese recipe for a weeknight meal.
Last up in our essential Japanese recipes: Yosenabe! It's a basic Japanese hot pot where you can cook ingredients—chicken, seafood, tofu, and all kinds of vegetables—in a dashi-based broth.
