There are a wealth of classic Japanese recipes you can quickly master at home. With the help of your favourite Japanese online store, you’ll find plenty in the following list that are quick and easy to make. There are also a few that take a little more patience but are undoubtedly worth the effort.
From sushi to ramen, Japanese dishes offer a unique dining experience that is both delicious and satisfying. In this post, we will introduce some of the best Japanese foods that you can try making at home. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned cook, these recipes are sure to impress your family and friends. So, put on your apron, sharpen your knives, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey to Japan!
Sushi
There are a wide variety of sushi types from maki rolls filled with vegetables to fish-topped nigiri. You can make many of them at home without any special equipment.
There are infinite flavour combinations for sushi rolls, with the base ingredients consisting of sushi rice, nori (dried seaweed), and fresh or pickled vegetables.
One sushi roll you can make with an American twist is Philly maki. You make it with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and cucumber.
Tsukemen
Tsukemen is also known as dipping ramen. The dish consists of cold noodles served alongside a bowl of warm stock for dipping.
Make this dish at home by cooking premade ramen noodles, chilling them, and then topping them with pork, spinach, a poached egg, corn, scallions, and sesame seeds.
Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu is a juicy, crispy pork cutlet that couldn’t be easier to make at home. Start by dredging a pork cutlet in egg batter and panko breadcrumbs. Then fry it in oil. It should take more than 30 minutes to make from start to finish.
Onigiri
Onigiri are rice balls and a staple lunch box item in Japan. You can fill these rice balls with almost anything you want, but traditional fillings include salted salmon, bonito flakes, pickled plum, and kombu seaweed.
Miso Soup
Miso soup is traditionally served as an appetiser and not the most obvious choice of something to make at home.
The unique combination of ingredients includes miso paste (made from fermented soybeans) and dashi (made from dried bonito flakes and kelp), fresh tofu, green onion, and seaweed.
Yakisoba
This is a popular noodle dish in Japan and the feature that makes it stand out is the chewy noodles. Accompanying the noodles you’ll have a tangy sauce and vegetables.
It’s a great lunchtime meal you can prepare in advance and pack in a bento box. It’s also a dish that’s highly customisable depending on your preferences.
Ramen
Making Ramen from scratch takes the best part of a day. The noodles are handmade, the broth is stewed, and the meat slow-roasted. In a Japanese home preparing ramen is a labor of love.
You’ll thoroughly enjoy this dish on a cold day and you can also pick and choose which elements you want to spend the most time on.
Japanese Milk Bread
This is another dish that takes all day to make, but the effort is well worth it because you’ll end up with soft, pillowy bread. Cut it into slices and use it for sandwich bread or make it into a dessert-like bread pudding.
Edamame
Enjoy these boiled and lightly salted. Edamame are quick to prepare and only need to be seasoned with a pinch of salt.
Alternatively, turn them into spice edamame using red pepper flakes and garlic.
Japanese Curry
Curry dishes are popular with many different cultures, so it should come as no surprise that Japan has its own. A traditional Japanese curry includes pieces of beef, potato, carrot, and onion. It is served with steamed rice.
You could choose to make your curry from scratch by making the curry roux. However, if you want a quick result, look for bricks of Japanese curry you simply add water to.
Japanese Pancakes
Japanese pancakes are a mix of soufflé and pancake. What sets them apart is their height and custard-like flavour.
To make these pancakes, you use eggs, sugar, flour, and baking soda. The most important step is whipping the egg whites.
Soba Noodles
There are many different noodles you can try in Japan. Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour. They cook quickly and are easy to turn into a healthy lunch or dinner.
Enjoy soba noodles chilled with a dipping sauce, with wasabi and green onion, or prepare them with vegetables and a protein of your choice.
Mochi Ice Cream
This is a popular dessert in Japan and it’s made with sweet rice dough wrapped around ice cream.
To make your mochi ice cream, pick your favourite ice cream flavour, maybe strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla. Take small scoops, wrap them in mochi dough, and then wait for them to freeze.
Omurice
The final dish on this list is an American-inspired comfort food. You make it from a silky egg omelet and serve it with rice and ketchup.
The omurice is soft and silky because you must cook it on low heat. Once you’ve mastered the silky omelet, make the rice however you like it. Add onion, peas, or ham, or pour on more ketchup for more flavour.
Japanese Foods You Can Try at Home; in Conclusion
Thank you for joining us on this delicious journey through some of the best Japanese foods that you can try making at home! From sushi and ramen to mochi and soba noodles, there are so many mouth-watering dishes to choose from.
By trying these recipes at home, not only will you be able to satisfy your cravings for Japanese cuisine, but you’ll also get to experience the joy of cooking and exploring new flavours. So why not gather some ingredients and give it a try? Who knows, you may even discover a new favourite dish!
Remember, the key to making delicious Japanese food at home is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and to follow the recipes closely. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own personal touches to make the dishes your own.
Once again, thank you for reading and I hope that you enjoy making and savouring these tasty Japanese dishes at home!
