Cooking Japanese food at home is easier than you think! I’ve rounded up five quick and easy recipes to help you get started.

a collage of easy Japanese recipes, including miso salmon, oyakodon, sunomono, curry rice, and miso soup

If you love Japanese food but haven’t tried making it at home, now’s the perfect time to start! You might be surprised how easy and rewarding it is.

In this roundup, you’ll find five easy Japanese recipes, including two main dishes, a refreshing salad, a protein-packed rice bowl, and a nourishing soup you can enjoy any time of year.

Each of these recipes uses simple cooking techniques and wholesome ingredients to help you create delicious, satisfying meals with ease. They’re perfect for busy weekday lunches or weeknight dinners and sure to become favorites in your rotation!

Namiko Hirasawa Chen

Nami’s Helpful Tips

Looking for ingredients or curious about substitutions? These resources will help you shop smarter and cook with confidence:

5 Easy Japanese Recipes to Make at Home

1. Miso Salmon

White plates containing Broiled Miso Salmon served over ginger rice.

Let’s start with my go-to Miso Salmon recipe—a healthy, protein-packed dish that’s full of flavor. Marinate fresh salmon in a sweet-savory miso sauce, then broil to perfection for a flavorful, satisfying meal.

Main Ingredients:

  • Salmon fillets
  • Miso, sake, mirin, soy sauce, sesame oil
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Love Salmon? Try my Teriyaki Salmon and Japanese Salted Salmon recipes.

2. Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)

Small Japanese bowls containing Japanese cucumber salad called Sunomono.

With its crisp texture and sweet-tangy flavor, this Japanese Cucumber Salad is a refreshing side that pairs beautifully with any dish.

Main Ingredients:

  • Japanese or Persian cucumber
  • Wakame seaweed
  • Sesame Seeds
  • Rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce
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Love salads? Try my Japanese Kani Salad and Carrot Ginger Dressing.

3. Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)

A Japanese donburi bowl containing Oyakodon, chicken and egg rice bowl.

While there are many delicious variations of Japanese rice bowls, one of my favorites is Oyakodon—a comforting dish of tender chicken, onions, and eggs simmered in a savory dashi sauce and served over steamed rice, all ready in just 30 minutes!

Main Ingredients:

  • Chicken thighs
  • Onion
  • Eggs
  • Dashi, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, sake
  • Steamed rice
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Love rice bowl dishes? Try my 20 Most Popular Donburi Recipes!

4. Cabbage and Onsen Tamago Miso Soup

White ceramic bowls containing Cabbage and Onsen Tamago Miso Soup topped with green onions and shichimi togarashi.

This Cabbage and Onsen Tamago Miso Soup is hearty, flavorful, and ready in just 15 minutes! Packed with protein and nutrient-rich veggies, it’s perfect for quick lunch or a simple side to serve with rice.

Main Ingredients:

  • Cabbage
  • Onion
  • Eggs
  • Dashi
  • Miso
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Love miso soup? Try my classic Homemade Miso Soup with tofu and wakame or the savory Bacon Asparagus Miso Soup.

5. Japanese Chicken Curry

A ceramic bowl containing Japanese Chicken Curry along with steamed rice and fukujinzuke pickles.

The last recipe I’m sharing today is a beloved classic—Japanese Chicken Curry! With tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory curry sauce over steamed rice, it’s the ultimate comfort food in every bite!

Main Ingredients:

  • Chicken thighs
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Ginger, garlic, apple
  • Honey, soy sauce, ketchup
  • Chicken stock/broth
  • Japanese Curry Sauce (Roux) Package
  • Steamed Rice
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Got leftovers? Turn them into delicious Curry Udon and Curry Ramen for a whole new meal!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 18, 2012. It was republished with brand-new content on March 26, 2025.