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Home » Recipes » Appetizers

Appetizer Recipes

From crispy vegetable tempura to savory gyoza, these easy Japanese appetizer recipes are perfect for parties or light meals. Enjoy cool sunomono salad, tasty edamame, or warm miso soup. Try agedashi tofu for a classic touch. These small bites are full of flavor and fun to share!

Popular Appetizers

A ceramic bowl containing Agedashi Tofu (Agedashi Dofu) topped with grated daikon, chopped scallions, and grated ginger.

Agedashi Tofu (Video) 揚げ出し豆腐

4.74 from 152 votes
A bowl containing Kakuni, Japanese braised pork belly, served with julienned white scallion, boiled egg, and karashi mustard.

Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly) (Video) 角煮

4.71 from 98 votes
A ceramic bowl containing Japanese Sake-Steamed Clams.

Japanese Sake-Steamed Clams (Video) あさりの酒蒸し

4.75 from 40 votes
A white ceramic plate containing spicy edamame.

Spicy Edamame スパイシー枝豆

4.69 from 66 votes
A glassware containing Japanese cold tofu topped with green onion and grated ginger and drizzled with soy sauce.

Japanese Cold Tofu (Hiyayakko) 冷奴

4.81 from 47 votes
Japanese Salted Chicken Wings (Teba Shio) on the Japanese plate, along with a small plate of Shichimi Togarashi.

Teba Shio (Salted Chicken Wings) 手羽先塩焼き

4.82 from 129 votes

Watch Videos on Appetizers

A round plate containing gyoza (Japanese potstickers or pan-fried dumplings) with a small plate of dipping sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and Japanese chili oil.

Gyoza (Japanese Potstickers) (Video) 餃子

4.68 from 496 votes
Beautiful Japanese plates containing karaage, Japanese fried chicken, garnished with lemon wedges and kewpie mayo dollop sprinkled with shichimi togarashi.

Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) (Video) 唐揚げ

4.77 from 408 votes
A special Japanese chawanmushi cup containing savory steamed custard filled with kamaboko fish cake, chicken, and mushroom.

Chawanmushi (Japanese Savory Steamed Egg Custard) (Video) 茶碗蒸し

4.73 from 104 votes
Watch More Videos

Latest in Appetizers

Beautiful Japanese plates containing karaage, Japanese fried chicken, garnished with lemon wedges and kewpie mayo dollop sprinkled with shichimi togarashi.

Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) (Video) 唐揚げ

4.77 from 408 votes
A rectangular plate containing Miso Glazed Eggplant garnished with yuzu kosho paste on a green maple leaf on the side.

Miso Glazed Eggplant 茄子の味噌焼き

4.70 from 119 votes
A white rectangular plate containing yakitori, Japanese grilled chicken and scallion skewers, coated with savory yakitori sauce and served with shichimi togarashi on the side.

Yakitori Recipe 焼き鳥

4.77 from 226 votes
A round plate containing gyoza (Japanese potstickers or pan-fried dumplings) with a small plate of dipping sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and Japanese chili oil.

Gyoza (Japanese Potstickers) (Video) 餃子

4.68 from 496 votes
A bamboo steamed basket containing pork shumai (steamed pork dumplings).

Pork Shumai (Steamed Pork Dumplings) シュウマイ

4.79 from 19 votes
A blue ceramic bowl containing Smoked Chicken Wings with Sweet-Salty Japanese Sauce sprinkled with scallions.

Smoked Chicken Wings (Video)

4.67 from 9 votes
A white plate containing Blistered Shishito Peppers With Ginger Soy Sauce.

Blistered Shishito Peppers with Ginger Soy Sauce

4.72 from 21 votes
A round wooden plate containing Garlic Miso Chicken Wings.

Garlic Miso Chicken Wings ガーリック味噌チキン

4.78 from 83 votes
A round plate containing Japanese pan-fried dumplings, Napa Cabbage Gyoza, served with a savory miso dumpling sauce.

Gyoza with Miso Dipping Sauce 白菜餃子

5 from 8 votes
A white plate containing two skewers of Tsukune (Japanese chicken meatball) accompanied by shichimi togarashi, Japanese seven spices.

Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatball Skewers)(Video) つくね

4.85 from 88 votes
A white bowl containing Ahi Tuna Poke.

Tuna Poke (Video) アヒポケ

4.80 from 10 votes
A round plate containing Hamachi Crudo dressed in a bright ponzu and sweet chili sauce vinaigrette, topped with a quick-pickled red onion and cucumber garnish.

Hamachi Crudo

4.78 from 18 votes
A special Japanese chawanmushi cup containing savory steamed custard filled with kamaboko fish cake, chicken, and mushroom.

Chawanmushi (Japanese Savory Steamed Egg Custard) (Video) 茶碗蒸し

4.73 from 104 votes
A white ceramic plate containing spicy edamame.

Spicy Edamame スパイシー枝豆

4.69 from 66 votes
A bamboo basket containing perfectly cooked and salted edamame.

How to Cook Edamame (Fresh and Frozen)

4.82 from 38 votes
A ceramic bowl containing Agedashi Tofu (Agedashi Dofu) topped with grated daikon, chopped scallions, and grated ginger.

Agedashi Tofu (Video) 揚げ出し豆腐

4.74 from 152 votes
A Japanese plate containing Butter Soy Sauce Scallops.

Butter Soy Sauce Scallops ホタテのバター醤油焼き

4.66 from 20 votes
A ceramic bowl containing Japanese Sake-Steamed Clams.

Japanese Sake-Steamed Clams (Video) あさりの酒蒸し

4.75 from 40 votes
A ceramic plate containing Yakitori Style Grilled Vegetables along with Nigori Sake.

Yakitori-Style Grilled Vegetables 焼き野菜盛り合わせ

4.82 from 16 votes
A white plate containing gluten free Korean veggie pancake.

Gluten-Free Korean Veggie Pancake (Video)

4.84 from 50 votes
Cranberry Brie Bites placed on a black plate garnished with thyme, candied pecans and flake salt.

Cranberry Brie Bites

4.91 from 11 votes
A white oval plate containing Vegetable Gyoza and dipping sauce.

Vegetable Gyoza (Vegan/Vegetarian) 野菜の餃子

4.62 from 122 votes
Homemade gyoza wrappers on a wooden cutting board.

How to Make Gyoza Wrappers 餃子の皮

4.67 from 222 votes
A blue and white plate containing Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings.

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings

4.91 from 20 votes
A platter of fried chicken wings garnished with lemon and green salad.

Fried Chicken Wings – Midnight Diner Season 2 手羽先の唐揚げ

4.78 from 40 votes
Japanese Salted Chicken Wings (Teba Shio) on the Japanese plate, along with a small plate of Shichimi Togarashi.

Teba Shio (Salted Chicken Wings) 手羽先塩焼き

4.82 from 129 votes
Orange teriyaki chicken wings on a blue patter.

Orange Teriyaki Chicken Wings 鶏手羽のオレンジ照り焼き

4.87 from 30 votes
Silky and savory Japanese steamed egg custard Chawanmushi in a cup.

Instant Pot Chawanmushi (Video) 茶碗蒸し (圧力鍋)

4.83 from 45 votes
Ankimo served on a blue plate.

Ankimo あん肝

4.43 from 7 votes
A plate containing chicken shiso gyoza and a small bowl of ponzu and yuzu kosho.

Chicken Shiso Gyoza with Yuzu Kosho & Ponzu Sauce しそ入り鶏餃子

4.60 from 20 votes
Teriyaki wings served on a white plate garnished with lemon, tomatoes and green lettuce.

Teriyaki Wings 手羽先の照り焼き

4.76 from 37 votes
Gyoza with Wings called Hanetsuki Gyoza (#羽根つき餃子) is a Japanese dumpling with flavorful and juicy filling and fried to crispy perfection!

Gyoza with Wings (Hanetsuki Gyoza) 羽根つき餃子

4.66 from 20 votes
Spicy Tuna served in a bowl with scallion on top.

Spicy Tuna 簡単スパイシーツナ

4.63 from 40 votes
Fresh spring rolls with yakiniku dipped in the bbq sauce.

Fresh Spring Rolls with Yakiniku 焼肉の生春巻き

4.77 from 21 votes
Dark Japanese plate containing Grilled Oysters with 3 kinds of garnish and Ponzu Sauce

Grilled Oysters with Ponzu Sauce 牡蠣のポン酢焼き

4.50 from 8 votes
A white plate containing Chicken Karaage with Sweet Chili Sauce and cilantro garnish.

Chicken Karaage with Sweet Chili Sauce スイートチリソースの唐揚げ

4.84 from 36 votes
Gluten Free Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) on a white plate.

Gluten Free Karaage グルテンフリー唐揚

4.83 from 29 votes
A white plate containing arugula and burrata cheese topped with ikura and served with baguette and yuzu kosho pepper.

Burrata Crostini with Ikura and Yuzu Pepper

4.63 from 8 votes
Various miso dengaku menus on the table.

Miso Dengaku (Tofu, Eggplant, Daikon & Konnyaku) 味噌田楽

4.91 from 33 votes
Slow Cooker Sriracha Chili Chicken Wings | Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

Slow Cooker Sriracha Chili Chicken Wings

4.86 from 21 votes
A wooden plate containing cheese tart made with crescent roll and filled with brie cheese and fruit preserves.

Cheese Tart (Video) チーズタルト

4.88 from 8 votes
Chicken Spring Rolls | Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

Chicken Spring Rolls (Video) バンバンジーの生春巻き

4.95 from 18 votes
Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps | JustOneCookbook.com

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap (Video)

5 from 5 votes
Coconut shrimp with sauce on a white plate.

Coconut Shrimp (Video)

4.78 from 9 votes
Tuna Tataki | Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

Tuna Tataki (Video) キハダ鮪のたたき

4.77 from 60 votes
Scallop Sushi | Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

Scallop Sushi ほたての握り寿司

5 from 7 votes
Salmon roe and shiso leaf stuffed inside the kamaboko fish cake.

Kamaboko Fish Cake with Salmon Roe 蒲鉾いくらのせ

4.75 from 4 votes
Shio Koji Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) | Easy Japanese Recipes at JustOneCookbook.com

Shio Koji Karaage 塩麹唐揚げ

4.85 from 26 votes
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