How to Make Easy Japanese Food: Quick & Flavorful Recipes!
Japanese cuisine is renowned for its delicious flavors, beautiful presentation, and emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at making Japanese food at home, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll explore some easy and beginner-friendly Japanese recipes that you can recreate in your own kitchen. So, let’s get started!
1. Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki chicken is a classic Japanese dish that is loved by many. To make this flavorful dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1/4 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
To prepare the teriyaki chicken, follow these simple steps:
- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade for later.
- Cook the chicken in the skillet for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Slice the cooked chicken and serve with the teriyaki sauce drizzled on top.
2. Vegetable Tempura
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish consisting of lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables or seafood. Here’s what you’ll need to make vegetable tempura:
- Assorted vegetables (such as bell peppers, sweet potatoes, zucchini, and broccoli)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup ice-cold water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Salt, to taste
Follow these steps to make delicious vegetable tempura:
- Wash and cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, ice-cold water, and baking powder until smooth.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot to about 350°F (175°C).
- Dip the vegetables into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Carefully place the battered vegetables into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the tempura from the oil and place it on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.

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3. Sushi Rolls
Sushi rolls, also known as maki rolls, are a staple of Japanese cuisine. Making your own sushi rolls at home is easier than you might think. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Nori sheets (seaweed)
- Sushi rice (cooked and seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt)
- Assorted fillings (such as cucumber, avocado, cooked shrimp, or crab sticks)
- Soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for serving
Follow these steps to roll your own sushi:
- Place a sheet of nori on a bamboo sushi mat or a clean kitchen towel.
- Spread a thin layer of sushi rice evenly over the nori, leaving a small border at the top.
- Arrange your chosen fillings in a line across the center of the rice.
- Using the bamboo mat or towel, tightly roll the sushi away from you, applying gentle pressure to ensure a compact roll.
- Moisten the top border of the nori sheet with a little water to seal the roll.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into bite-sized pieces.
- Serve the sushi rolls with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
4. Miso Soup
Miso soup is a comforting and nutritious traditional Japanese soup. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 cups dashi (Japanese soup stock)
- 3 tablespoons miso paste
- 1/2 cup cubed tofu
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 sheet nori, cut into thin strips
To make miso soup, follow these simple steps:
- In a saucepan, bring the dashi to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the tofu and green onions.
- In a small bowl, dissolve the miso paste in a few tablespoons of hot dashi, then add it to the soup.
- Gently simmer the soup for a few minutes, but do not let it boil.
- Remove the soup from the heat and ladle it into bowls.
- Garnish with nori strips and serve hot.
5. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake that is both delicious and versatile. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup cooked chopped bacon or shrimp (optional)
- 1/4 cup okonomiyaki sauce
- Japanese mayonnaise
- Bonito flakes (dried fish flakes)
- Aonori (seaweed flakes)
Follow these steps to make delicious okonomiyaki:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, water, and eggs until smooth.
- Add the shredded cabbage, chopped green onions, and cooked bacon or shrimp (if using) to the batter and mix well.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan or griddle over medium heat.
- Pour the batter onto the pan to form a round pancake shape, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cook the okonomiyaki for a few minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Brush the top of the okonomiyaki with okonomiyaki sauce and drizzle with Japanese mayonnaise.
- Sprinkle with bonito flakes and aonori.
- Cut the okonomiyaki into wedges and serve hot.
These are just a few examples of easy Japanese dishes you can make at home. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of cooking Japanese food – with a little practice and the right ingredients, you’ll be able to recreate the flavors of Japan in your own kitchen. So, put on your apron, grab your chopsticks, and start exploring the delicious world of Japanese cuisine!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Make Sushi Rice?
Sushi rice can be made by combining rice vinegar, sugar, and salt and adding it to cooked sushi rice.
What Are The Essential Ingredients For Japanese Cooking?
Some essential ingredients for Japanese cooking are soy sauce, mirin, sake, dashi, miso, and rice vinegar.
What Is The Difference Between Sushi And Sashimi?
Sushi is typically made with vinegared rice and a variety of ingredients, while sashimi is thinly sliced raw fish served without rice.
How Do I Make Miso Soup?
Miso soup can be made by combining dashi, miso paste, and additional ingredients like tofu, seaweed, and green onions.