Japan: Recipes and Cuisine

Japanese ramen shop
Image by Beyond Neon

Japanese cuisine is known for the direct simplicity of its dishes, as well as the striking beauty of their final presentation. Freshness is key, and light, healthy meals with a bold punch of flavor are the norm.

Typical Japanese Dishes

A list of typical Japanese dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Japanese-style meal, party or festival.

Appetizers

  • Edamame (Steamed soybean pods)
  • Gyoza (Steamed meat dumplings))
  • Harumaki (Spring rolls)

Shirumono (Soups and Stews)

  • Dashi (Basic stock)
  • Shabu Shabu (Beef and vegetable hotpot)
  • Misoshiru (Miso soup)
  • Oden (Seafood and vegetable stew)
  • Sukiyaki (Simmered beef soup)
  • Su Udon (Noodles with broth)

Aemono (Salads)

  • Goma-ae (Spinach salad with sesame dressing)
  • Goma Wakame (Seaweed salad)
  • Harusame (Glass noodle salad)
  • Sunomono (Vinegared salad)

Eggs and Dairy

  • Chawan Mushi (Savory egg custard)

Menrui (Noodles)

  • Ramen (Thin soup noodles)
  • Soba (Buckwheat noodles)
  • Udon (Wheat soup noodles)

Tori (Poultry)

  • Chikuzen-ni (Chicken simmered with vegetables)
  • Kara-age (Deep-fried chicken in ginger sauce)
  • Tori Dango (Chicken meatballs)
  • Yakitori (Grilled, skewered chicken)

Niku (Meat)

  • Gyuniku Misoyaki (Beef broiled with miso glaze)
  • Nikujaga (Simmered beef and potatoes)
  • Tonkatsu (Breaded pork cutlet)
  • Teppanyaki (Griddled-cooked meat and vegetables)
  • Teriyaki (Meat, fish or seafood with soy glaze)

Fish and Seafood

  • Fugu-sashi (Thinly sliced raw blowfish)
  • Nizakana (Sake-poached fish)
  • Saba Shioyaki (Grilled mackerel)
  • Sashimi (Raw fish and seafood)
  • Tempura (Batter-fried shrimp and vegetables)
  • Teriyaki (Meat, fish or seafood with soy glaze)

Vegetables and Beans

  • Agedashi-Dofu (Deep-fried tofu)
  • Daikon to Age no Itameni (Braised daikon and tofu)
  • Dengaku (Grilled tofu with miso glaze)
  • Ganmodoki (Fried tofu and vegetable patties)
  • Hōrenso Ohitashi (Simmered spinach)
  • Kabocha Nimono (Simmered pumpkin)
  • Nasu (Steamed sliced eggplant)
  • Satoimo Nikorogashi (Simmered taro)
  • Satsumaimo (Sweet potato cakes)
  • Shigiyaki (Broiled eggplant with miso glaze)
  • Shiitake no Fukumeni (Simmered mushrooms)
  • Tempura (Batter-fried shrimp and vegetables)

Rice and Grains

  • Donburi (Rice bowl with toppings)
  • Gohan (Steamed rice)
  • Maki Zushi (Rolled seasoned rice)
  • Sushi Gohan Seasoned rice)

Sauces

  • Nihaizu Dressing (Simple vinaigrette)
  • Nitsume (Sushi soy glaze)
  • Ponzu (Citrus-soy dipping sauce)
  • Tosa Joyu (Soy dipping sauce for sashimi)
  • Wasabi (Japanese horseradish paste)

Tsukemono (Pickles and Preserves)

  • Gari (Pickled ginger)
  • Hakusaizuke (Cabbage pickle)
  • Harihari Zuke (Daikon pickle)
  • Misozuke (Miso pickle)

Desserts

  • Mochi (Sweet rice cake)
  • Zenai (Sweetened red beans)

Nomimono (Beverages)

  • Biru (Beer)
  • Cha (Green tea)
  • Sake (Rice wine)
  • Soy milk
  • Ume-shu (Plum wine)

Japanese Recipes

Try these recipes from Japan.



Whats4eats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.