Who doesn’t love a cuisine you can really feel with your teeth?! Okay, weird phrase but this one is a real fun chomper. Super satisfyingly savory, with the impeccable crunch of fresh vegetables. All the best chomping!
One thing I love: the rich, savory flavor that I am still licking off my fingers as I type this. Rude. Sorry.
Japanese cooking is full of those savory, rich flavors that are so satisfying. It’s all about that “deliciousness” that makes the country’s food so special and comforting. Add in some crunchy textures and fresh vegetables and the gang’s all there.
1. Teriyaki Chicken
Can we talk about this teriyaki chicken for a minute? It’s one of my absolute favorites when it comes to Japanese food! It’s got that tender chicken and tangy sauce that makes it a total win for the whole family.
The trick is to cut the chicken into even chunks, which helps it cook up super fast. This meal comes together in just 15 minutes, which is a lifesaver!
Just pour that yummy teriyaki sauce right into the pan once the chicken is cooked. You’ll watch it thicken up and caramelize, coating every piece of chicken in a beautiful glaze. So good!
2. Japanese Curry Buns
These Japanese curry buns are such a treat! They are incredibly crispy on the outside, and the second you take a bite, they just ooze with delicious curry. It’s such a fun and satisfying meal.
Using a homemade dough makes these buns so light and fluffy, especially after you let them rise and get all puffy for about 30 minutes.
The secret to that amazing crispiness? Rolling the buns in panko breadcrumbs and frying them until they’re perfectly golden brown. Yum!
3. Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Japanese rice balls, or onigiri, are just so versatile. I love packing them in bento boxes for lunch, serving them as a side for dinner, or just grabbing one for a quick snack.
You can make your rice balls plain, or you can stuff them with all sorts of fillings. Some of the most common fillings are umeboshi (a salted plum), salted salmon, or salted cod roe.
Here’s a fun fact: the most popular shape for these isn’t actually a ball, but a triangle! The key to a perfect onigiri is to shape it just enough without packing the rice too tightly, so it stays light and fluffy.
4. Kani Salad
When it comes to kelp noodle recipes, this one might just be my all-time favorite! It’s a low-carb and paleo take on kani salad that tastes just as amazing as what you’d find in a Japanese restaurant.
This recipe uses real lump crab meat instead of imitation crab, and it makes all the difference in freshness! The noodles add so much hearty goodness to the mix.
Top it all off with a creamy, tangy, and spicy dressing, and it becomes completely irresistible.
5. Japanese Fried Rice
Japanese fried rice looks simple, but it is just bursting with flavor. This dish, also known as yakimeshi, comes together in less than 10 minutes. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
The secret here is to use cold, leftover rice. I know it might sound a little strange, but old rice gets firm in the fridge, which helps you get much crispier fried rice.
Sesame oil and soy sauce give the rice a wonderful salty flavor. You can add eggs, ham, and green onions to make it a super filling meal.
6. Udon Noodles
You only need 20 minutes to whip up these spicy udon noodles, making them an absolute lifesaver on busy nights. You can have this delicious dish on the table faster than it takes to order takeout!
Using store-bought udon noodles is the key to keeping this dish so easy. You can saute some ground chicken or leave it out for a completely vegetarian meal.
The red and yellow bell peppers add a tasty and vibrant touch. It’s a total treat for both your mouth and your eyes!
7. Potato Korokke
Even the pickiest eaters in your family will fall in love with these mashed potato cakes, known as korokke. They’re perfect as a grab-and-go snack, an appetizer, or a side dish.
Just mix mashed potatoes with beef and onion and form the mixture into little balls. Roll them in panko breadcrumbs and fry them until they’re golden brown. It’s the perfect handheld meal!
Once you try this version, you can start getting creative with other flavors like curry korokke or even pumpkin korokke. The possibilities are truly endless!
8. Miso Glazed Carrots
Are you looking for a new way to get your family excited about vegetables? These miso-glazed carrots are the perfect dish to add some nutrition and color to your dinner table. Buttery and smoky, these carrots are sure to become a family favorite.
The maple syrup brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots, making them feel like a special treat! White miso paste, garlic, and cayenne pepper also add to this super flavorful dish. I bet you can’t eat just one!
9. Baked Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu is a fried pork cutlet that you can find all over Japan. This baked version is a healthier and easier way to make it, and you still get that same amazing crispy texture.
The secret to getting baked tonkatsu as crispy as the fried version is to cook the panko crumbs before you bread your pork. This also gives it that beautiful golden-brown color.
Of course, no tonkatsu meal is complete without a side of homemade tonkatsu sauce!
10. Spicy Edamame
If you’re already a fan of regular edamame, get ready for this spicy version to completely change your life! Salty and spicy, this recipe is guaranteed to be the star of the show.
Sambal oelek is what brings this dish to life. It’s a chili paste that not only adds a kick of spice but also gives it such a mouth-watering flavor.
You can make these as an appetizer, a snack, or just gobble them down as your main meal!
11. Japanese Cheesecake
Forget everything you think you know about dense, sweet cheesecake. This Japanese cheesecake is bouncy, light, and just heavenly.
This dessert uses similar ingredients to other cheesecakes, like cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. But it’s the addition of an airy meringue that transforms this into something truly special!
Since it isn’t overly sweet, it’s often served with a generous coating of powdered sugar and fresh berries. Plus, it’s so much fun to watch it jiggle!
12. Japanese Cucumber Salad
You can make this Japanese cucumber salad as a simple side dish, or bring it to your next potluck. You might want to keep a little extra for yourself, though, because every last bite will disappear!
Just peel your cucumbers and slice them thinly before mixing them with the sauce. The sauce is made with sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil.
It’s tangy and salty, which pairs perfectly with the mild cucumber. Be careful, this salad is seriously addicting!
13. Souffle Pancakes
After you taste these light and fluffy soufflé pancakes, you’ll never want to go back to regular pancakes again. They’re so impressive to look at, and even more amazing once you take a bite.
Using cake flour instead of traditional all-purpose flour helps these fun pancakes hold their shape. Just like Japanese cheesecake, the addition of an egg white meringue is what makes them extra fluffy!
Serve them with berries, syrup, powdered sugar, or a dollop of homemade whipped cream. Your guests will be so impressed with these delicious soufflé pancakes at your next brunch.
14. Salmon Teriyaki
Salmon teriyaki feels like such a fancy meal, but it could not be any easier to make. This simple recipe only needs four ingredients!
Salmon is super healthy, so it’s a great way to get some extra nutrients into your family’s dinner. All you need is salmon, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar!
Serve it with rice and broccoli for a complete meal. It also reheats beautifully, making it a fantastic recipe for meal prep.
15. Japanese Fermented Rice Drink (Amazake)
Amazake is a fermented Japanese rice drink that’s a bit like sake but with a touch of natural sweetness. It’s especially popular during celebrations like New Year’s or Hina Matsuri.
You can serve this creamy drink either hot or chilled, and it has a ton of nutritional value. Making it is a bit time-consuming, and it’s super important to keep it at the right temperature the whole time.
This is the perfect drink to get cozy with during the winter!
16. Sushi
Japan is famous all over the world for its amazing sushi rolls. This recipe will teach you how to make sushi just like the pros.
Not only are there endless options for fillings, but Japan also has a special way of rolling sushi so that it stays together and looks absolutely gorgeous!
From making the perfect sticky sushi rice to using a bamboo mat correctly, every step is important for making incredible sushi. You could even have some friends over for a sushi-making party!
17. Wafu Spaghetti
The flavor combination in this wafu spaghetti might seem a little interesting, but you won’t believe how well everything works together to create a totally mouth-watering dish.
You’ll make the pasta sauce with tuna, mayo, ketchup, mustard, milk, and lemon juice. Cook up your favorite noodles and toss them with the sauce and some chopped onions.
Top your pasta with avocado and black pepper, and enjoy!
18. Japanese Chicken Wings
These Japanese chicken wings are so buttery, garlicky, and just melt in your mouth! You will be in heaven from the very first crispy bite.
The soy sauce gives these wings that classic Asian flavor, while the sugar and vinegar add a wonderful depth to the taste.
After frying your wings in a mix of butter and oil, toss them in the delicious sauce. Finish them off in the oven and get ready to enjoy!
19. Oshitashi
Oshitashi is another healthy dish that everyone is sure to love. I bet your family has never asked for more spinach before, but they will after trying this!
You’ll boil the spinach for just one minute before putting it in a bowl of ice-cold water. Make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach to keep it from getting soggy.
Add a little soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil. This dish is so light and delicious!
20. Easy Miso Soup (Japanese Clear Soup)
In Japan, people enjoy miso soup for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Its mild and savory flavor makes it perfect for any time of the day.
The heart of this dish is the rich broth, which is flavored with white miso paste. You can add so many different ingredients to the broth. Some of the most common additions are wakame (a type of seaweed), tofu, and green onions.
21. Teriyaki Sauce
Having a delicious and easy teriyaki sauce recipe on hand is a must for Japanese cooking. It’s most often used as a marinade for chicken, beef, or even shrimp, but it’s also fantastic for a vegetable stir-fry or just drizzled over rice.
Homemade teriyaki sauce is so much better than the store-bought kind. This recipe is super quick and easy, so there’s no excuse not to make it! The sauce is sweet from the sugar and savory from the soy sauce, and spices like garlic and ginger give it that traditional flavor.
22. Japanese Rice
It might just be white rice, but there’s a real art to making perfect Japanese rice. It’s not soggy, and you don’t want to boil it like pasta. Japanese rice should be sticky, fluffy, and just melt in your mouth.
The type of rice you use is a huge part of how it turns out. You’ll want to find short-grain or sushi rice for the best results.
Most families in Japan have a rice cooker, but you can also make it right on the stove. Once you learn how to make Japanese rice, you’ll never want it any other way!
23. Japanese Cream Soda
Japanese cream soda is a little different from the American vanilla-flavored version; it’s more like an ice cream float. It features a bright green melon-flavored soda topped with a delicious scoop of ice cream.
You can find this vibrant drink in restaurants all over Japan, but it’s super easy to make at home. All you have to do is mix melon-flavored syrup with club soda.
It’s a fun drink for both kids and adults. And don’t forget to top it with a maraschino cherry!
24. Miso Chicken
Miso is such a common flavor in Japan. You’ll find it in soups, on meats, or in ramen. This salty and tender miso chicken is the perfect meal for a weeknight.
Ginger and garlic give this chicken a subtle Asian flavor, while a touch of red pepper flakes adds a little bit of heat.
You can serve this chicken with rice or make a homemade edamame and roasted corn salad! Grilling the chicken will give it a delicious smoky flavor.
25. Japanese Rolled Omelet (Tamagoyaki)
Tamagoyaki, or a Japanese rolled omelet, is a popular choice for breakfast or in a lunch bento box. It can also be served as a side dish for dinner. It’s an omelet made with many layers of egg.
This dish is so beloved in Japan that there’s even a special rectangular tamagoyaki frying pan to help you get that signature omelet shape!
Dashi and sugar take this omelet to the next level. Some versions even include cheese or nori.