10+ Easy Japanese Recipes to Try at Home

If you want to explore new flavors and cooking techniques, easy Japanese recipes are a fantastic choice. These dishes are not only simple to make but also bring the taste of Japan right to your kitchen.

From savory meals to delightful desserts, you can enjoy a variety of options that are perfect for any occasion.

Many Japanese recipes use common ingredients you might already have at home, making them accessible for everyone.

Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, these easy recipes will impress and satisfy.

Get ready to embark on a delicious culinary journey with your new favorite meals.

1) Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki chicken is a simple and delicious dish you can make at home. It features tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce. The sauce is made from soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar.

You can prepare this dish in about 20 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a tasty meal without too much effort.

To start, you’ll need to gather a few ingredients and follow some straightforward steps to cook your chicken perfectly.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) chicken thighs or breasts
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) sake
• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) mirin
• 2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 mL) vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/180°C).
2. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides.
3. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar.
4. Pour sauce over the chicken and simmer until cooked through.
5. Serve with rice or vegetables.

2) Miso Ramen

Miso ramen is a flavorful and comforting dish that’s easy to prepare. With its savory broth and delicious toppings, it’s a perfect choice for a quick meal.

To make miso ramen, you’ll need miso paste for a rich flavor. You can also add ingredients like green onions, mushrooms, or corn for extra taste and texture.

This dish is quick to cook, often ready in under 30 minutes. You can even use instant ramen noodles to save time.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (950 ml) water
• 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 pack of ramen noodles
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup sweet corn
• 2 green onions, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a pot.
2. Add miso paste and soy sauce; stir until dissolved.
3. Add ramen noodles and cook according to package instructions.
4. In the last minute, toss in mushrooms and sweet corn.
5. Serve hot, topped with green onions.

3) Japanese Curry

Japanese curry is a comforting and delicious dish you can easily make at home. It features tender pieces of meat, potatoes, and carrots, all simmered in a rich curry sauce.

You can find instant curry roux at most grocery stores. It makes the cooking process quick and simple. Many people enjoy making it on busy weeknights.

To make a tasty version, you can also use chicken or vegetables for a vegetarian option. Customize it to your taste by adding your favorite ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken or vegetables
• 2 cups (300 g) potatoes, chopped
• 2 cups (300 g) carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 cups (480-720 ml) water
• 1 package instant curry roux

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat oil over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
2. Add onion and sauté until soft.
3. Add chicken or vegetables and cook until browned.
4. Stir in potatoes and carrots.
5. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
7. Stir in the curry roux until dissolved.
8. Cook for an additional 5 minutes and serve.

4) Yakisoba

Yakisoba is a popular Japanese stir-fried noodle dish that is both tasty and easy to make. It usually features savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, making it a favorite among many. You can prepare it with just a few simple ingredients.

The noodles used are similar to ramen. They cook quickly, and you can enjoy them with various vegetables and proteins like chicken or pork. A classic yakisoba sauce often combines Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce for delicious flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 packets of yakisoba noodles (or ramen)
• 1 cup chopped cabbage
• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 cup sliced meat (chicken, pork, or tofu)
• 3 tablespoons yakisoba sauce
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat (350°F / 180°C).
2. Add onions and meat. Cook until browned.
3. Stir in cabbage and beansprouts. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add noodles and sauce. Toss everything together.
5. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Enjoy!

5) Oyakodon

Oyakodon is a comforting Japanese dish that combines chicken and eggs served over rice. It’s quick to make and perfect for busy nights. You can enjoy its savory flavor and creamy texture in just a short time.

To make Oyakodon, start by sautéing chicken pieces in a sweet and salty broth. Then, add beaten eggs to the pan and let them cook until soft. Finally, serve it all over a bowl of steaming rice for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 chicken thighs, diced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup dashi broth (or chicken stock)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Green onions for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pan, heat the dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar over medium heat.
2. Add the sliced onion and diced chicken. Cook until chicken is done, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Pour in the beaten eggs and cover. Cook until eggs are just set.
4. Serve the mixture over cooked rice.
5. Garnish with green onions if desired.

6) Onigiri

Onigiri are delicious Japanese rice balls that are easy to make and fun to eat. They’re perfect for snacks or packed lunches. You only need a few ingredients to get started.

For basic onigiri, you’ll need steamed rice and nori seaweed. You can add fillings like tuna, umeboshi, or salmon to make them more flavorful. Form the rice into a triangle or ball shape with your hands.

To wrap them, place a strip of nori around the rice. This keeps them fresh and adds a nice taste. Onigiri are great on their own or served with dipping sauces.

Ingredients

• 2 cups steamed rice
• Nori seaweed sheets
• Fillings of your choice (e.g., tuna, umeboshi, salmon)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook 2 cups of rice following package instructions.
2. Once cooked, let the rice cool slightly.
3. Wet your hands to prevent sticking.
4. Take a handful of rice and shape it into a triangle or ball.
5. Place your chosen filling in the center if desired.
6. Wrap a strip of nori around the rice ball.
7. Enjoy your onigiri fresh!

7) Udon Noodles

Udon noodles are thick Japanese noodles made from wheat flour. They have a chewy texture and are great for stir-fries or soups. Yaki udon is a simple stir-fry dish that cooks quickly and is full of flavor.

You can load your yaki udon with a variety of vegetables like bell peppers and carrots. Add your choice of protein, such as chicken, beef, or tofu. The key is in the savory sauce, which makes the dish really tasty.

You can find recipes online that show you how to make yaki udon in about 20 minutes. This means you can enjoy a delicious homemade meal in no time!

Ingredients

• Udon noodles
• Mixed vegetables (like bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli)
• Protein (chicken, beef, or tofu)
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook udon noodles according to package instructions.
2. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes.
4. Add protein and cook until done.
5. Pour in soy sauce and stir well.
6. Combine with cooked udon noodles and serve hot.

8) Inari Sushi

Inari sushi is a simple and delicious Japanese dish. It features sushi rice stuffed into seasoned tofu pouches, known as aburaage. This dish is sweet and savory, making it a great snack or meal option.

To make inari sushi, you first prepare your sushi rice. Once it’s cooked, mix it with a bit of vinegar for flavor. Then, stuff the seasoned rice into the tofu pouches.

This dish is easy to customize. You can add vegetables or other ingredients to the rice if you like. Inari sushi is perfect for lunchboxes or picnics.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 2 ½ cups water (600 ml)
• 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 8 aburaage squares (tofu pouches)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Combine with 2 ½ cups water in a rice cooker and cook.
3. While the rice cooks, prepare the seasoned aburaage by simmering with soy sauce and sugar for a few minutes.
4. Once the rice is done, mix in rice vinegar.
5. Carefully stuff the seasoned rice into each aburaage pouch.
6. Serve and enjoy!

9) Tamagoyaki

Tamagoyaki is a delicious and fluffy Japanese rolled omelet. It has a slightly sweet taste and can be enjoyed for breakfast or as part of a bento lunch. Making tamagoyaki at home is simpler than you might think.

To make it, you’ll need eggs, a little sugar, soy sauce, and optional dashi for extra flavor. You can customize it with ingredients like green onions or seaweed.

This dish is typically cooked in a special rectangular pan called a tataki, allowing you to create the classic rolled shape. The cooking process is fun and rewarding!

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• Optional: dashi (Japanese soup stock)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, and soy sauce together.
3. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat.
5. Pour a small amount of the egg mixture into the pan.
7. Cook until slightly set, then roll the egg to one side.
9. Add more egg mixture to the pan and lift the rolled egg to let it flow underneath.
11. Repeat until all the mixture is cooked and rolled.
13. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before slicing.

10) Soy Butter Salmon with Mushrooms

Soy butter salmon with mushrooms is a simple and delicious dish that brings together rich flavors. This meal is quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

You’ll start with fresh salmon fillets and a mix of Asian mushrooms. Cooking them in soy butter adds a creamy, savory taste. This dish pairs nicely with rice or a simple salad.

The combination of flavors is both comforting and satisfying. It’s a great way to enjoy salmon while introducing you to Japanese cooking.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 cup Asian mushrooms (like shiitake, shimeji, or enoki)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon mirin (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add butter and let it melt.
3. Place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin side down.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip the fillets.
6. Add the mushrooms to the skillet and pour in the soy sauce and mirin.
7. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and the mushrooms are tender.