10+ Japanese Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Japanese cuisine offers a rich variety of flavors and dishes that are both comforting and delicious. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, Japanese recipes can help you explore unique ingredients and techniques.

From crispy tempura to savory ramen, Japanese cooking is full of opportunities to try new meals. With the right recipes, you can bring the tastes of Japan into your kitchen and impress your family and friends with traditional dishes.

1) Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken teriyaki is a popular Japanese dish known for its sweet and savory flavor. It’s simple to prepare and makes for a delicious meal any night of the week.

Start with boneless chicken thighs or breasts. Sear the chicken in a hot pan until golden brown, then add the teriyaki sauce to create a rich glaze.

Serve chicken teriyaki with steamed rice and vegetables. It’s perfect for a quick family dinner or to impress guests.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) of chicken thighs or breasts
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) mirin
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sake
• 1 tablespoon (12 grams) brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Sear the chicken for about 5-6 minutes on each side.
3. Mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a bowl.
4. Pour the sauce into the pan and simmer until thickened.
5. Serve the chicken with rice and vegetables.

2) Shiso Garlic Butter Pasta

Shiso Garlic Butter Pasta combines rich flavors and fresh ingredients. You will love the taste of shiso leaves paired with garlic and butter.

Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente. While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a pan and add minced garlic.

Sauté the garlic gently to release its aroma. Once the pasta is ready, toss it in the butter and garlic mixture.

Add chopped shiso leaves for a burst of flavor. A touch of yuzu koshō can bring some spice.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) spaghetti
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup shiso leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp yuzu koshō (optional)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente.
2. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add garlic to the pan and sauté until fragrant.
4. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan.
5. Mix in the chopped shiso leaves and yuzu koshō if using.
6. Toss together and season with salt.

3) Miso Soup

Miso soup is a comforting Japanese dish you can easily make at home. It uses miso paste, which adds deep flavor to the broth.

Tofu and seaweed enhance the taste and nutrition. Start with dashi, a Japanese soup stock, which you can prepare from scratch or use powdered dashi.

After heating the stock, add tofu and any vegetables you enjoy. Once warmed through, mix in the miso paste off the heat to preserve its flavor.

Serve hot and enjoy a bowl of this delicious soup.

Ingredients

• 4 cups dashi stock
• 1/2 cup miso paste
• 1 cup firm tofu, cubed
• 1/4 cup wakame seaweed, rehydrated
• 2 green onions, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat dashi stock in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add cubed tofu and seaweed. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in miso paste until dissolved.
4. Serve hot, topping with chopped green onions.

4) Sushi Rolls

Sushi rolls are a fun and delicious way to enjoy Japanese cuisine at home. You can create them with a variety of fillings like raw fish, vegetables, or cooked meats.

The basic components are sushi rice, nori (seaweed), and your chosen ingredients. Prepare sushi rice so it is sticky and slightly seasoned.

Lay out a sheet of nori, spread the rice on top, and add your fillings. Roll it up tightly using a bamboo mat.

Cut the rolled sushi into bite-sized pieces. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

Ingredients

• Sushi rice
• Nori (seaweed)
• Fillings (e.g., raw fish, cucumber, avocado)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook sushi rice and season it.
2. Place a sheet of nori on a bamboo mat.
3. Spread rice evenly over nori.
4. Add your desired fillings.
5. Roll tightly using the mat.
6. Slice into pieces and serve.

5) Ramen Noodles

Ramen noodles are a staple in Japanese cuisine. They have a chewy texture and come in various types.

You can find instant options or make them fresh. Using instant ramen is quick and easy.

Enhance the flavor by adding fresh vegetables or proteins. For homemade ramen, make a simple broth with savory ingredients.

For miso ramen, combine miso paste, broth, and toppings like green onions and soft-boiled eggs.

Ingredients

• Ramen noodles
• Miso paste
• Broth (chicken or vegetable)
• Green onions
• Soft-boiled eggs
• Optional toppings: spinach, corn, or tofu

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions.
2. In a pot, heat broth and stir in miso paste until dissolved.
3. Add cooked noodles to the broth.
4. Top with green onions and soft-boiled eggs before serving.

6) Udon Stir-Fry

Udon stir-fry is a delicious and quick meal. You can create it with chewy udon noodles, fresh vegetables, and your choice of protein.

Cook the udon noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set them aside.

In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli.

Stir-fry the vegetables for a few minutes until tender. Add the cooked udon noodles and your chosen protein, such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

Pour in your favorite sauce, like soy sauce or stir-fry sauce, and mix well. Heat everything through for about 2-3 minutes.

Ingredients

• Udon noodles
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Chicken, shrimp, or tofu
• Soy sauce or stir-fry sauce
• Oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook udon noodles in boiling water for 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add sliced vegetables and stir-fry for a few minutes.
4. Add cooked udon noodles and protein.
5. Pour in sauce and stir well.
6. Heat for 2-3 minutes, then serve.

7) Japanese Curry with Chicken Meatballs

Japanese curry with chicken meatballs is a comforting dish. The meatballs add a tasty twist to the classic curry flavor.

Gather your ingredients: chicken, panko breadcrumbs, and seasonings like garlic and ginger. These help create the delicious meatballs.

Prepare your curry using store-bought curry cubes for a rich taste. Add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or daikon for extra nutrition.

Once everything is cooked, serve the curry over rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups of vegetables (like potatoes and carrots)
• 1 package curry cubes
• 4 cups water or broth
• Cooked rice for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix ground chicken, panko, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape the mixture into meatballs.
4. Bake meatballs for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
5. In a pot, heat water or broth and add curry cubes.
6. Add vegetables and cook until tender.
7. Stir in the meatballs and simmer for 5 minutes.
8. Serve over rice.

8) Chawanmushi (Savory Egg Custard)

Chawanmushi is a popular Japanese dish that’s both smooth and savory. It features a delicate custard made from eggs and flavored with dashi, soy sauce, and mirin.

You can add ingredients like chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms for extra taste. Whisk the eggs with the dashi stock and seasonings, then strain the mixture to keep it smooth.

Pour the mixture into cups and steam gently until set. Serve warm as a light meal or appetizer.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups dashi stock
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• Optional: chicken, shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, dashi, soy sauce, and mirin.
2. Strain the mixture to ensure smoothness.
3. Pour the mixture into cups, adding any desired ingredients.
4. Steam over simmering water for about 15–20 minutes (around 176–212°F or 80–100°C) until set.

9) Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers)

Yakitori is a popular Japanese dish made from grilled chicken skewers. Use different parts of the chicken, like thighs and breast, for a variety of flavors.

Marinate the chicken in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, sake, and mirin. This gives it a sweet and salty taste.

Add vegetables like scallions to your skewers for extra flavor and color. Grilling gives the chicken a smoky taste.

Soak your skewers in water to prevent burning. Thread the chicken and veggies onto the skewers before grilling.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs or breast
• Soy sauce
• Sake
• Mirin
• Sugar
• Scallions
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
3. Mix soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar in a bowl.
4. Marinate chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes.
5. Thread chicken and scallions onto skewers.
6. Grill skewers over medium heat (350°F/175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Turn them often.

10) Matcha Pancakes

Matcha pancakes offer a delicious twist on the classic breakfast dish. Their light and fluffy texture, along with the vibrant green color, makes them stand out.

Matcha, a type of powdered green tea, gives these pancakes a unique taste and a boost of antioxidants. You only need simple ingredients like eggs, flour, and milk.

The matcha adds a lovely flavor and color. Serve them with whipped cream or fresh fruits for a delightful brunch.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) milk
• 24 g (3 tbsp) all-purpose flour
• 1 g (1/4 tsp) baking powder
• 2 g (1 tsp) matcha

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and milk.
2. In another bowl, mix the flour, matcha, and baking powder.
3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Stir until smooth.
4. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Set the temperature to 375°F (190°C).
5. Pour the batter into the skillet. Cook until bubbles form on the surface.
6. Flip the pancake. Cook until it turns golden brown.
7. Serve with your favorite toppings.