28 Authentic Japanese Recipes You’ll Want to Make at Home

Japanese cuisine has taken the world by storm with its bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. The good news is that many delectable Japanese dishes can be easily recreated at home using standard ingredients readily available in most Western kitchens.

What’s more, these recipes are often surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring minimal time and utensils. If you’re eager to infuse your cooking with a touch of Japan, then this article is the perfect starting point.

With 28 easy-to-follow Japanese recipes covering a broad spectrum of dishes from appetizers to main courses to desserts, we’ve got you covered.

Omurice

Omurice, a harmonious blend of omelet and rice, is a beloved staple in Japanese cuisine. This delectable dish brings joy to many families’ tables and adorns the menus of numerous restaurants and cafes across the country.

The filling, cooked to perfection with a savory sauce comprising ketchup, chicken broth, and soy sauce, lends a unique yet mouthwatering flavor to the rice. Once the omelet is cooked, fold it gently around the filling to create a delightful culinary experience.

Simply put, omurice is a treat that’s easy to prepare and sure to please even the most discerning palates.

Onigiri

Japanese rice balls, also known as onigiri, are an incredibly versatile food that can be enjoyed at various times of day. Whether serving as a side dish to accompany main courses, providing a satisfying snack, or forming part of a nutritious and filling lunch, these triangular or spherical treats offer endless possibilities. With the option to keep them plain or add a variety of fillings, onigiri is a culinary delight that can be tailored to suit any taste.

The key to successfully crafting onigiri lies in using Japanese short-grain rice, which has the unique property of sticking together better than other types of rice. Once your chosen filling is securely nestled within, you can shape the onigiri by hand and then wrap it in a sheet of nori for added flavor and texture.

Oshitashi

Boiled spinach, known as Oshitashi, is elevated to a whole new level when dressed with a savory combination of soy sauce and sesame oil. This quick and easy side dish can be paired with a variety of main courses or included in a bento lunch box for a nutritious meal on-the-go. In fact, the recipe is so straightforward that it can be prepared in under 10 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy home cooks.

Simply combine spinach with sesame oil, sesame seeds, and soy sauce to create a dish that’s not only delicious but also rich in flavor.

Potato Korokke

Korokke, a delectable Japanese treat, is a masterpiece of texture and flavor. The dish consists of a crispy panko-breaded exterior giving way to a creamy potato filling, which can be enhanced by various ingredients such as curry, pumpkin, or meat. The key to achieving the perfect korokke lies in the smooth, velvety consistency of the potato filling, which should melt in your mouth with each bite.

This recipe takes inspiration from traditional Japanese flavors, combining potatoes with ground beef and onion for a savory delight. Simply shape the mixture into patties, deep-fry until golden brown, and serve to enjoy the harmonious blend of crispy and creamy textures.

Salmon Teriyaki

Teriyaki sauce is a versatile condiment that adds an instant depth of flavor to various dishes, including salmon, which has a delicate taste that can be easily overpowered by bold flavors. This sweet and savory sauce, typically made with soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), and sugar, elevates the overall flavor profile of any dish it’s used in.

While you can create your own teriyaki sauce at home, store-bought options are also widely available, although mirin might be harder to find depending on where you live.

Shoyu Ramen

Transforming to a new dimension of flavors, our second ramen recipe diverges from the traditional miso base by embracing the savory essence of shoyu, or soy sauce. This innovative broth is crafted by harmoniously blending soy sauce, dashi, mirin, and sake with a portion of your ramen water, accompanied by the warmth of ginger and pungency of garlic.

The foundation thus laid, you can then build upon it by loading your bowl with a medley of textures and flavors, including pickled bamboo, scallions, and nori sheets. As the pièce de résistance, a few ramen eggs on top provide the perfect finishing touch.

Spam Onigirazu

In Japan, Spam enjoys an unexpected cult following. This unlikely ingredient is ubiquitous, with most convenience stores stocking sandwiches featuring the iconic canned meat as their filling. Even sushi restaurants can’t resist including Spam on their menus. The reason for this affinity lies in part to Hawaii’s love affair with Spam, which involves layering it with rice and eggs to create a novel sandwich-like dish wrapped in nori seaweed.

Spicy Edamame

Edamame, a staple snack in Japanese cuisine, has likely been a familiar treat at many restaurants and bars. This particular take on edamame introduces a bold twist with its spicy topping, which can be further intensified by adding an extra kick of chili sauce and red pepper flakes for those who dare to take the heat to new heights.

Spicy Tuna Donburi Rice Bowl

A donburi is a Japanese-style rice bowl dish topped with an assortment of ingredients. Among its many variations, tuna donburi stands out for its simplicity and flavor profile. In this recipe, we’ll explore how to create a mouth-watering tuna donburi that’s sure to delight both family and friends. The heat level can be tailored to suit individual preferences through the strategic combination of chili peppers and sriracha sauce.

When selecting tuna, it’s essential to opt for sashimi-grade quality, as the fish is served raw in this dish. For a seamless transition into the recipe, click the ‘Go To Recipe’ button below.

Spicy Udon Noodles

Another beloved Japanese dish that adds a spicy kick is udon noodle recipe. Unlike ramen or somen, udon noodles boast a thicker texture, yet they’re equally satisfying to enjoy. The dish’s foundation lies in the harmonious union of chicken or turkey, bell peppers, and a medley of seasonings derived from soy sauce and hoisin sauce. To complete the culinary experience, sesame seeds and green onions are sprinkled atop the noodles.

Sticky Teriyaki Chicken Wings

This recipe revisits the classic teriyaki sauce, offering a straightforward approach to making it from scratch or using store-bought alternatives if preferred. The chicken wings, coated in flour and fried until golden brown, are then smothered in teriyaki sauce and baked for 30 to 45 minutes. To ensure optimal flavor, the wings require periodic basting with additional sauce during cooking.

Tamagoyaki

Tamagoyaki’s origins are rooted in Japanese language, with ‘tamago’ meaning egg and ‘yaki’ signifying grilled. This versatile dish is well-suited for breakfast, serving as a side dish, or even comprising a boxed lunch. Its simplicity makes it an excellent canvas for creative experimentation, as various ingredients and fillings can be incorporated to suit individual tastes. The core recipe presented here requires only four fundamental components: eggs, dashi, sugar, and vegetable oil.

After cooking and rolling the tamagoyaki, you’re free to slice off the desired portions.

Takikomi Gohan

This hearty and healthy rice dish is elevated by the incorporation of various vegetables. The combination of white rice, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, carrot, gobo, and chicken thigh makes for a nutritious and flavorful meal. One of the best aspects of this recipe is its versatility – feel free to customize it by substituting or adding your own favorite ingredients.

What’s more, the entire dish can be cooked effortlessly in a rice cooker, making it an ideal option for those seeking ease and convenience.

Teriyaki Chicken

Another delicious teriyaki recipe awaits! This one shines when using boneless and skinless chicken, whether you opt for quick-cooking breasts or tender thighs. As the chicken cooks, you can simultaneously prepare the tangy teriyaki sauce. And did you know that this flavorful dish pairs perfectly with a medley of vegetables and fluffy rice? Get ready to savor in just 15 minutes!

Vegetable Tempura

In the culinary world, tempura is a popular cooking technique that involves coating food in a light batter before frying. While tempura can be applied to a wide range of ingredients, it’s particularly well-suited for vegetables and fish. Among the most common vegetables used in tempura are eggplant, pumpkin, shiitake mushrooms, and zucchinis, which offer a delicious combination of textures and flavors.

After frying your tempura, it’s essential to allow it to drain on paper towels to effectively remove excess oil, ensuring a crispy and well-balanced final product.

Wafu Spaghetti

Japanese cuisine has a unique twist on popular international dishes, including Italian food. While Italian fare is beloved in Japan, locals have also created their own versions of spaghetti and pizza. The result is a fascinating blend of flavors and ingredients. Take wafu spaghetti, for instance. This dish offers an array of toppings and varieties reminiscent of Italian restaurants found in the US. However, it’s the unexpected additions that set it apart.

To make this recipe, you’ll need some unconventional ingredients like avocado, tuna, Asian mustard, and ketchup.

Yakimeshi

Another rice dish similar to takikomi gohan is yakimeshi, which incorporates eggs and requires cooking in a frying pan. A crucial difference between the two is the addition of eggs, which demands a slightly different preparation approach. Ensure your rice is already cooked beforehand, as it’s best suited for grains that have hardened slightly after being refrigerated or left at room temperature.

Begin by scrambling the eggs, then add them to the cooked rice, allowing them to combine effortlessly. Next, introduce any meats, such as ham, in the order of their cooking time requirements. To achieve the iconic dome shape, press the finished yakimeshi into a bowl, ensuring it maintains its neat structure when served.

Yakisoba

Yakisoba is a ubiquitous presence in Japan, where it’s a staple ready meal found in convenience stores and outdoor festivals alike. Its widespread popularity stems from its ease of preparation – the entire process takes around 15 minutes to complete. At the heart of this dish are yakisoba noodles, Chinese-style wheat flour creations that pair perfectly with the crunchy textures of vegetables like shrimp, carrot, shiitake mushrooms, and green cabbage.

The ideal yakisoba strikes a harmonious balance between the softness of the noodles and the satisfying crunch of its accompaniments.

Baked Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu, a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, is a popular dish that’s often served with shredded green cabbage and a tangy tonkatsu sauce made from a combination of vegetables, fruits, and soy sauce. While traditional methods involve deep frying, this recipe provides a healthier alternative by offering baking instructions. Additionally, tonkatsu pairs exceptionally well with Japanese-style curry, making it a versatile dish for any meal.

Egg And Shiitake Ramen

Ramen, a beloved comfort food in Japan, is enjoyed in numerous flavors throughout the country. With its widespread availability, you’ll find ramen restaurants in every city and town, making it easy to indulge during your travels. Our featured recipes showcase two distinct approaches to this popular dish, starting with this first recipe that utilizes vegetable stock and miso paste for a rich and savory broth.

This version is particularly noteworthy, as it combines the humble ingredients of shiitake mushrooms, ramen noodles, pak choi, and spring onions in perfect harmony. As an added touch, boiled and marinated eggs sit atop the steaming hot broth, adding a delightful textural contrast to this already satisfying dish.

Green Tea Ice Cream

In Japanese cuisine, green tea – or matcha – is deeply rooted in tradition. Its versatility extends beyond being a powder for brewing into an array of sweet treats. One such example is this delectable ice cream recipe, where the unique flavor profile of matcha shines. While using an ice cream maker yields the best results, a regular food processor can still produce a creamy and scrumptious dessert.

Enjoy your matcha ice cream as a refreshing accompaniment to tropical fruits or savor it on its own.

Kaki Fry

In Japan, oysters are a popular ingredient, often enjoyed breaded and fried as kaki. While oysters can be consumed year-round in many parts of the world, the Japanese have a tradition of eating them seasonally, with the peak season typically falling between mid-fall and winter. For this recipe, any type of oyster will do – whether you prefer canned, jarred, fresh, or frozen varieties. And don’t forget to serve it with a tangy dip like tartar or tonkatsu sauce for an added layer of flavor.

Kare Pan

In Japan, curry – known as kare – is a beloved staple, with many restaurants serving Indian-inspired variations. However, there’s also a more rustic, Japanese-style curry that takes center stage in this recipe. This unique take on curry is used to fill a type of bread called pan, which is then deep-fried to create a crispy, savory treat. Whether enjoyed as part of a main course or snatched as a quick snack on-the-go, these curried delights are sure to please.

Kani Salad

Indulge in the flavors of Japan with this refreshing kani salad, a perfect blend of textures and tastes. While traditional recipes often rely on crab sticks, this recipe allows for the use of fresh crab for an even more authentic experience. The real star of the show is the bold and spicy sriracha sauce-based dressing, which can be tailored to your desired level of heat. Crunchy cucumber and carrots provide a satisfying contrast in texture, while kelp noodles add a unique twist.

Treat yourself to this healthy and delectable side salad by following our easy recipe.

Miso Chicken

Miso paste is a versatile ingredient in Japanese cuisine, extending beyond its iconic role in miso soup. In this recipe, we harness its umami flavor as a marinade for skinless chicken breasts. The marinade also incorporates finely chopped ginger, pungent garlic, and a trifecta of flavors – light sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and the richness of miso paste itself.

To bring out the full potential of these ingredients, you’ll need to allow the chicken to marinate for a couple of hours before cooking. The actual cooking process will be surprisingly swift, taking just a few minutes to yield a dish that’s both savory and aromatic.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese culinary delight that transcends its description as a savory pancake. This beloved dish boasts numerous variations, each with its unique regional twist in Japan. Its origins date back to the post-war era when resourcefulness was key, and people had to create hearty meals using limited ingredients. To achieve the authentic flavor and texture, it’s essential to use Osaka-style okonomiyaki flour.

While this versatile dish can accommodate various fillings, our recipe features a classic combination of green cabbage, scallions, and bean sprouts.

Final Thoughts

Our comprehensive guide to Japanese cuisine features 28 mouth-watering recipe options that cater to various meal times – from satisfying appetizers and side dishes to scrumptious main courses and decadent desserts. This diverse collection not only highlights popular favorites like ramen, udon, and yakisoba but also introduces you to lesser-known gems.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, we’re confident that these easy-to-follow recipes will inspire you to create delectable Japanese dishes at any time of day.