Satisfy Your Cravings with These 25 Delicious Japanese Recipes

As explained by BBC Good Food, Japanese dishes are packed with health-boosting minerals, but it doesn’t stop there. The meals are also the perfect source of comfort. Filled with ingredients such as ramen, tofu and sesame oil, these recipes are sure to speak something to your soul. As we approach a colder season, you may find yourself craving foods that are able to satisfy all your taste buds while keeping you warm. 

There are simply so many creative ways to bring Japanese recipes to life. Whether you’re after a meal for a special occasion, a cozy evening spent at home, or just something fresh that you’ve never tried before, you can try these Japanese Recipes yourself and amend them as you see fit. We have everything from delicious soups and udons, to chicken, sweet tofu and creamy salads!

 1. Shoyu Chicken 

Although popular in Hawaii, this traditionally Japanese dish mixes sweet with savory, so it’s perfect if you’d like to have a balance of both. Once you’ve glazed your chicken thighs with soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and more seasonings, you want to make sure it’s fried until it has a juicy, tender texture before serving it with rice. 

2. Soba Noodle Soup 

Fancy noodles for dinner? This soup brings together a beautiful blend of tender buckwheat noodles, savory broth and a number of tasty toppings like shrimp tempura and komatsuna. You want to add lots of sake and soy sauce to increase the broth’s flavor before adding it to your freshly-boiled noodles. And there you have it! A quick and easy Japanese classic that will make you savor its warmth even long after you’ve eaten it. 

3. Yaki Udon 

This rich stir-fry dish is ideal for a weeknight meal with your partner or family. It combines vegetables with a delicious soy sauce mixture. If you have a Wok in hand, make sure to use it, as stir-fry udon noodles are the crispiest when cooked with it. After mixing your noodles with the sauce and vegetables, add sesame seeds to the dish (if desired), grab your bowl, and you’re ready to dig in! 

4. Gomae 

In case you’re looking for a side dish that is full of fresh flavors, Gomae is the perfect solution. Mix in your spinach leaves with a creamy sesame sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, a hint of mirin and tahini. The result? A vibrant, nutty and slightly sweet salad that pairs excellently with any Japanese meal at the table. 

5. Tamagoyaki 

Get ready to taste an omelette like you never have before. This japanese rolled omelette dish requires you whisk your eggs together with sugar, soy sauce and mirin. While frying part of the omelette, carefully roll it up and push it to one side of your pan before adding in more egg mixture to create a second layer, then a third, and maybe a fourth, until you’ve created a nicely layered omelette that is both tasty and appealing to the eye. 

6. Kenchinjiru 

Looking for something steamy that will keep you warm when it’s cold outside? Try making and enjoying this Japanese clear soup made of green onion, tofu, umami and enoki mushrooms which will be sure to add lots of taste and texture. Make sure you serve it while it’s hot. 

7. Curry Udon 

For those who have a flare for spicy flavors, you can prepare this udon dish. While boiling the udon noodles according (and making sure that you’re following the instructions laid out on their package), you can start sautéing your onion and garlic and carrots, all essential ingredients for your curry sauce. Sprinkle your bowl with tempura and green onion, and you’re all set! 

8. Ochazuke 

If you’ve been wondering if you can mix green tea with rice before, the answer is simply yes. Those two ingredients, along with, pickles and seaweed form Ochazuke, a warm and tasty soup that you can garnish with soy sauce for extra flavor. Feel free to swap seaweed with grilled fish for a more textureful soup. 

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9. Agedashi Tofu 

Imagine tofu, but well-drained, dried and soaked in cornstarch and an enriching sauce of dashi, soy sauce, mirin and sugar. Deep fried to sweet crispiness, this tofu dish comes complete when you top it with daikon radish, bonito flakes and ginger. Just try it once and see how it satisfies your sweet tooth. 

10. Vegan Nabe 

Searching for something quick yet filling to last you the whole day? Be sure to try this delicious hot-pot dish. To make it, you’ll want to prepare by mixing in vegetable broth with miso using in your hot pot. Add mushroom, 

11. Miso Glazed Aubergine

If you’re seeking a meal that comes with a sweet and savory glaze, these grilled aubergines soaked in a caramely miso are sure to meet that craving. By the time you’ve finished eating them, you’ll be licking your fingers!

12. Vegan Potato Salad 

For this refreshing side salad, mix the tangy Japanese-style vegan mayonnaise with sliced up Japanese cucumbers, and carrots. Add in the mashed potatoes and you have a comforting potato salad that you can eat at any hour throughout the day. Simple, quick, and perfect for those following a vegan diet. Enjoy! 

13. Japanese Cream Stew 

This warm, rich stew dish is made of a tasty mix of sautéed chicken, onions, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms. Blend in some béchamel which contributes to the thick, creamy texture that you need. All in all, the stew takes less than an hour to make and will leave you wanting more than a single serving.  

14. Okonomiyaki 

Also known as Japanase cabbage pancakes, this dish can be tailored to suit your exact taste. To complement it, you can add to it shrimp or chicken, sesame seeds or bonito flakes, vegetables and so on. For its dipping sauce, it can be soy-based or something that is more akin to mayonnaise, depending on what you prefer more. 

15. Teriyaki Mushroom Bowl 

If you’d like to add more vegan recipes to your list, this savory teriyaki mushroom bowl is pure goodness. Filled with umami, white miso and Japanese rice vinegar, this bowl offers a deep, meaty texture, and they are sure to please everyone seeking a delicious, meatless meal. For extra heat, you can top it off with red chilli flakes. 

16. Oyakodon 

This is a one-pan and one-bowl dish that is suitable for an easy meal on any weekday, especially on days when you’re very busy and can’t set much time for cooking. Tender chicken meets soft cooked egg over a bowl of warm rice, making this the perfect comfort meal to indulge in!

17. Cucumber Wrapped Sushi 

If you’re seeking a fun, fancy, and traditional appetizer dish for a family get together or party, cucumber wrapped sushi is your go-to option! Warm, freshly cooked rice is wrapped by nori seaweed and can be topped with either salmon roe, sea urchin, or broiled eel. For those who don’t eat raw fish, you can swap those with smoked salmon or any other cooked fish. 

18. Tofu Avocado Salad 

Maybe you don’t want to cook something warm, but would like to eat something delicious and filling tonight. Have a try at a tofu avocado salad which is full of protein and healthy fats. To add a bit of tanginess to it, choose from Chinese black vinegar to or rice vinegar, and top the salad with sesame seeds, crusted peanuts, roasted seaweed, chili oil or pork sung – whichever your taste bud craves most! 

19. Shiozake 

A savory, sake-marinated salmon dish, this broiled dish is perfect for a family dinner and can be served along with white rice, miso soup or pickles. You should aim to cook the salmon fillets until they are colored and their fat is sipping out. Be sure to serve them as soon as they’re done. 

20. Japanese Stuffed Cabbage Rolls 

Popular in not just Japan but also the Balkans and some European countries, this stuffed cabbage dish promises to keep you warm even amidst the coldest of weathers. Combine a mix of sautéd onions with ground beef and pork meat, and stuff them into cooked cabbage leaves before soaking them in a soup base of your choice – it can be a tomato based, consomé, or Japanese-style wafu with dashi broth. 

21. Vegan Katsu Curry

Think of a Wagamama-style, breaded, deep-fried vegetable dish served with a rich curry sauce, rice and any greens you might prefer to add. Some of the most suitable vegetables for this meal include sweet potato, eggplant and cauliflower. The batter is made using plant-based milk, making this delicious dish completely free of animal products!

22. Hot Sesame Oil Tofu 

Another dish that’s well known to residents in Hawaii, this is an affordable dish that takes little effort but a lot of enthusiasm. All you need is cut up tofu pieces that are soaked in a tasty and hot sesame oil, rice, and sprinkled green onions. 

23. Nasu Dengaku 

Savory, sweet and smoky, these baked, crispy eggplants dipped in a bubbly miso sauce and topped with sesame seeds are an ideal option in your lunch or dinner menu. While they’re tasty as they are, you can add various other toppings to it to enhance their flavor even more, including but limited to chopped chives, shredded shiso leaves, and fresh basil or cilantro. 

24. Oden (Fish Cake Stew) 

This flavorful stew is a staple Japanese comfort meal, combining fish cakes, boiled eggs, raikon radish and konnyaku noodles soaked in a tasty, bubbly broth made of mirin, dashi and soy sauce. If you’re craving a shot of extra heat on a cold day, you can add hot mustard or a citrusy ponzu sauce. 

25. Dashi Scrambled Eggs 

Last but not least, this list ends with the perfect way to begin your day, and that is dashi scrambled eggs. This recipe features rice that is topped with smooth, umami-rich eggs soaked in an appetizing chicken dashi broth. Top your bowl of egg and rice with salmon flakes and aonori flakes, and you’re all ready!