20 Easy Japanese Recipes to Try at Home

Miso Ramen

This Spicy Miso Ramen is a comforting and vibrant bowl of noodles infused with the deep umami of ground pork and savory chicken broth. Topped with a delicious medley of ramen eggs, melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork, sweet corn, and fresh green onions, this dish balances flavor and texture in every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s the perfect homemade alternative to your favorite ramen shop experience.
Get the Recipe: Miso Ramen

Teriyaki Chicken Marinade

Bowl of teriyaki chicken over rice. — Teriyaki Chicken Marinade. Photo credit: Peters Food Adventures.

Transform your everyday chicken into a flavorful masterpiece with this Authentic Teriyaki Chicken Marinade. Easy to prepare with just a few basic ingredients, this marinade delivers a delicious, mouth-watering taste that’s perfect for any meal. Whether you're grilling, baking, or stir-frying, it adds a rich, savory-sweet flavor that will make your chicken truly unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Chicken Marinade

Easy Homemade Hibachi Steak (Benihana Copycat)

Cooked hibachi steak served in a bowl with hibachi fried rice. — Easy Homemade Hibachi Steak (Benihana Copycat). Photo credit: The Sassy Foodie.

Bring the flavors of your favorite Japanese steakhouse home with this easy homemade hibachi steak recipe—a delicious Benihana copycat. Made with simple pantry staples and no special equipment required, this recipe transforms an ordinary night into a special occasion with minimal effort. Perfect for satisfying takeout cravings right from your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Hibachi Steak (Benihana Copycat)

Homemade Sushi

Create a fun and delicious experience by preparing homemade sushi right in your own kitchen. Whether you're crafting rolls to impress guests or hosting a lively make-your-own-sushi party, this customizable recipe allows you to choose your favorite fillings and enjoy sushi tailored to your taste. Perfect for gatherings or a unique dinner night!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sushi

Beef Yaki Udon (Japanese Stir-Fried Udon)

Beef yaki udon noodles in a white bowl. — Beef Yaki Udon (Japanese Stir-Fried Udon). Photo credit: Sift & Simmer.

Beef Yaki Udon is a delicious and quick Japanese stir-fried noodle dish made with marinated beef, crisp vegetables, and chewy udon noodles tossed in a savory sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, this easy one-pan meal delivers bold flavors with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Beef Yaki Udon (Japanese Stir-Fried Udon)

Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin

This quick and flavorful pork tenderloin is marinated in a simple homemade teriyaki sauce—store-bought works too—and cooked to tender perfection. A perfect lean protein option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin

Slow Cooker Japanese Chicken Curry

This comforting Japanese Chicken Curry is a slow-cooked delight that brings together tender pieces of chicken, hearty potatoes, sweet carrots, and onions, all infused with the rich, savory flavors of traditional Japanese curry spices. Simmered to perfection in a slow cooker, this dish is both effortless to prepare and incredibly satisfying. Serve it over a bed of warm rice for a wholesome and flavorful dinner that the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Japanese Chicken Curry

Easy Japanese Cold Noodle Salad

Cold noodle salad being lifted up with chopsticks, over a black round plate, with a black serving tray of more salad in background. — Easy Japanese Cold Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Food Meanderings.

This Easy Japanese Cold Noodle Salad offers a refreshing twist on a classic summer dish. Inspired by North American Chef’s Salad but based on the traditional Hiyashi Chuka, it combines crisp fresh vegetables with cold noodles for a light, healthy, and satisfying meal. It’s a great way to enjoy seasonal produce while making good use of leftover ham — simple to prepare and perfect for warm days.
Get the Recipe: Easy Japanese Cold Noodle Salad

Hamachi (Yellowtail) Sashimi

This coriander-flavored yellowtail sashimi is a refined yet simple appetizer that blends the buttery richness of fresh yellowtail with the citrusy brightness of yuzu and the herbal freshness of coriander. Quick to prepare but bold in flavor, it's a dish that leaves a lasting impression on the palate.
Get the Recipe: Hamachi (Yellowtail) Sashimi

Mushroom Gyoza with Cabbage

These flavorful mushroom gyoza are Japanese dumplings filled with a savory mixture of mushrooms, cabbage, ginger, garlic, and spring onions. Easy to make and bursting with umami, they’re perfect for a delicious appetizer or snack!
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Gyoza with Cabbage

Easy Ajitama Recipe (Ramen Marinated Egg)

Ajitsuka tamago or ramen eggs cut in halves on bamboo tray. — Easy Ajitama Recipe (Ramen Marinated Egg). Photo credit: Butter Joy Kitchen.

Learn how to make the perfect Ajitama (ramen egg) with this easy, foolproof recipe. Featuring a creamy, golden yolk and a rich savory-sweet flavor, this dish uses just a few simple ingredients to elevate any bowl of ramen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ajitama Recipe (Ramen Marinated Egg)

Miso Glazed Salmon

This quick and easy Miso Glazed Salmon features a savory-sweet marinade that infuses the fish with rich umami flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is ready in just 8 minutes, offering a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon

Yasai Itame (Japanese stir-fry vegetables)

A bowl of yasai itame served with chopsticks with rice, sesame seeds, and another bowl of veggie beside. — Yasai Itame (Japanese stir-fry vegetables). Photo credit: My Plantiful Cooking.

Yasai Itame, or Japanese stir-fried vegetables, is a quick and healthy dish bursting with flavor. This light stir-fry is perfect when served alongside steamed rice or noodles. With minimal preparation and a total cook time of just 20 minutes, it's an ideal choice for a fast, satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Yasai Itame (Japanese stir-fry vegetables)

Easy Japanese Salmon Tataki With Homemade Ponzu Sauce

5 thin slices of salmon tataki on a white plate with scattered edamame and white radish on the left and a pair of chopsticks picking up a piece. — Easy Japanese Salmon Tataki With Homemade Ponzu Sauce. Photo credit: West Coast Kitchen Garden.

This Japanese Salmon Tataki with Homemade Ponzu Sauce is a light, elegant dish inspired by sushi restaurant favorites. Featuring thin slices of premium fresh salmon, it’s gently seared to perfection and paired with a delicate, citrusy soy-based ponzu sauce. Simple, healthy, and affordable—about a quarter the cost of dining out—this dish is a beautiful way to showcase high-quality fish with traditional Japanese flavors.
Get the Recipe: Easy Japanese Salmon Tataki With Homemade Ponzu Sauce

Spicy Crab Kani Salad

Close up of a kani salad in a bowl. — Spicy Crab Kani Salad. Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

Spicy Crab Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish popular among sushi enthusiasts and fans of Japanese cuisine. This easy-to-make Kani salad features a delicious combination of tender crab meat, sweet mango, and crisp vegetables. Light yet satisfying, it's perfect as a side dish or a standalone light meal.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Crab Kani Salad

Fluffy Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bread

A piece of milk bun teared from the rest. — Fluffy Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bread. Photo credit: Cooking Gorgeous.

Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bread, also known as Shokupan, is a soft and delicate white bread with a cloud-like texture that melts in your mouth. Made with simple pantry staples, this bread is easy to prepare and perfect for crafting delicious sandwiches or serving as fluffy dinner rolls.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bread

Mochi Ice Cream

Discover how easy it is to make mochi ice cream at home! Despite its reputation as a delicacy best found in Japan, this sweet treat is surprisingly simple to prepare with just a handful of ingredients and basic kitchen tools. Perfect for beginners and dessert lovers alike, this recipe brings the chewy, creamy delight of mochi ice cream into your own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Mochi Ice Cream

Shiratama Dango

Shiratama dango are traditional Japanese rice flour dumplings made from glutinous rice flour. Soft and chewy in texture, these unsweetened mochi balls are typically enjoyed with a variety of toppings or sides such as sweet red bean paste (anko), nutty kinako (roasted soybean flour), or a scoop of creamy ice cream. Perfect for lovers of Japanese confections, shiratama dango offer a delightful blend of subtle flavors and satisfying textures.
Get the Recipe: Shiratama Dango

Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts (Japanese-Style)

A hokkaido cheese tart, cut in half, being picked up by a hand. — Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts (Japanese-Style). Photo credit: Somebody Feed Seb.

Experience the perfect harmony of two beloved desserts—cheesecake and custard tart—with Baked Cheese Tarts, a specialty hailing from Hokkaido, Japan. These delightful treats feature a flaky, buttery pastry shell filled with a mildly sweet, creamy cheese filling. Each tart is finished with a beautifully caramelized top, lightly torched to achieve a golden, glossy finish. Perfectly balanced in texture and flavor, Baked Cheese Tarts are a must-try for any dessert lover.
Get the Recipe: Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts (Japanese-Style)

Chicken Katsu

Chicken katsu is a beloved Japanese comfort dish featuring juicy chicken cutlets coated in a light, ultra-crispy panko breadcrumb crust. These cutlets are pan-fried to golden perfection and typically served with a rich, sweet-savory tonkatsu sauce. Often found in bento boxes or Japanese restaurants, chicken katsu is surprisingly simple to recreate at home and offers a satisfying blend of crunch and flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Katsu