15 Gluten-Free Japanese Recipes

From main dishes, snacks to desserts, you can now enjoy your favorite dishes at home with these delicious gluten-free Japanese recipes and ideas

I have to admit that I had little knowledge about gluten free eating until I started receiving requests from readers who either had gluten intolerance themselves, or were cooking for a family member on a gluten-free diet.

Since rice is the staple of Japanese cuisine, it may seem relatively easy to swap out certain ingredients like soy sauce and still enjoy the majority of the foods. But, wheat protein is still prevalent in a large proportion of Japanese foods. Popular Japanese dishes like soba and udon noodles, tempura, karaage, katsu, Japanese curry and so on often contain wheat.

Hearing how much you missed some of these foods, I started to tinker with gluten-free recipes in the hope to give you the opportunity to enjoy them again. To my delight, some of these gluten-free recipes turned out to be so good that I decided to use the same preparations in the future.

Here I’ve compiled a list of 15 delicious gluten-free Japanese recipes that I hope will come in handy when your cravings hit. Let me know in the comments below if you wish to see more gluten-free recipes on Just One Cookbook!

15 Delicious Gluten-Free Japanese Recipes 

1. Gluten Free Karaage グルテンフリー唐揚げ

This is probably one of the most craved Japanese dishes for those on a gluten-free diet! Using rice flour and gluten-free soy sauce, you can now recreate one of the best Japanese Gluten Free Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) at home. My recipe will show you how to make them just as crunchy and juicy as the original recipe.

2. Easy Wafu Pasta with Shrimp and Asparagus 海老とアスパラガスの簡単和風パスタ

There was a time when you have to say goodbye to comfort bowls of pasta if you were on a gluten-free diet. Well, not anymore! Paired with succulent shrimp and asparagus, this Japanese-style wafu pasta uses gluten-free pasta and soy sauce for a satisfying dinner. It’s an easy yet lovely dinner you want to serve up on a Friday night with a bottle of wine.

3. Takikomi Gohan (Japanese Mixed Rice) 炊き込みご飯

Made with seasonal ingredients, Takikomi Gohan is a rustic yet comforting Japanese mixed rice recipe. You’d want to add this to your meal prep rotation.

4. Steak Salad with Shoyu Dressing ステーキサラダと醤油ドレッシング

This Japanese-inspired Steak Salad with Shoyu Dressing is hands-down my favorite salad when I need a little extra protein and iron in a bowl of greens. The gluten-free shoyu dressing is so good and versatile that it can be used to dress up just about every protein imagine.

5. Poke Bowl

Speaking of a well-composed rice bowl, try this delicious Tuna and Salmon Poke Bowl recipe at home. There is plenty of ideas on how to build a fantastic poke bowl for your DIY Poke Party.

6. Gluten Free Baked Chicken Katsu グルテンフリー揚げないチキンカツ

100% gluten free, I was most surprised how well this Baked Chicken Katsu turned out! The extra crunchy breading around the juicy chicken cutlet makes it a real treat for someone who’s been craving for fried foods. Enjoy with homemade ponzu and grated daikon.

7. Gluten Free Tempura グルテンフリーの天ぷら

Yes to Gluten Free Tempura with crispy batter! The batter is made with just three simple ingredients: rice flour, egg, and water. Not sure about deep frying at home? Not to worry, I’ve shared a few tips that will help you nail down the frying process and make incredibly crunchy tempura.

8. Salmon in Foil 鮭のホイル焼き

Looking for a simple yet wholesome dish you can enjoy regularly? Try this flavorful Salmon in Foil recipe. You get omega 3 from the salmon and plenty of nutrients and fibre from the vegetables in a package, literally!

9. Honey Sesame Shirataki Noodles

Cold and refreshing, this Shirataki Noodles with Honey Sesame Dressing is a perfect guilt-free summer noodle to enjoy. Not only it’s gluten-free, it’s also low in calories. The delicious toppings make a difference.

10. Eggplant Agebitashi 茄子の揚げ浸し

Do you adore eggplant? This Eggplant Agebitashi could be your new favorite for eggplant recipes. The long, slender Japanese eggplant is first deep-fried until crispy browned, then soaked in a flavorful dashi and soy sauce based broth.

11. Sanpeijiru 三平汁

A well-rounded bowl of soup can often save the day, especially the ones loaded with nutrients like this salmon and vegetable soup – Sanpeijiru. This popular soup from Hokkaido features salted salmon and a variety of root vegetables and cooked in kombu dashi broth. It’s so delicious with steamed rice.

12. Corn Potage コーンポタージュ

This creamy and smooth Japanese-style corn potage (or corn soup) makes use of the in-season sweet corn. The ingredients are simple, and it’s packed with natural sweetness. Enjoy hot or chilled.

13. Tofu Pudding (Blancmange) 豆腐プリン

Sometimes it can be tricky to prepare desserts for someone who is gluten-sensitive. For something simple yet impressive, try this Soft silken Tofu Pudding (Blancmange) dessert made with tofu, honey, gelatin, and soy milk. Topped with a sweet-tart strawberry sauce, this pudding makes a healthy and elegant dessert choice to serve. Did I say it’s low-calorie too?

14. Rice Cracker かき餅

If you prefer savory snack, homemade Japanese rice crackers are a fun one to make. You can choose to flavor it with salt, gluten-free soy sauce or your choice of seasonings.

15. Yatsuhashi 八ツ橋

Made with a mixture of glutinous rice flour, regular rice flour and soy bean flour with a red bean paste filling, Yatsuhashi is the most popular Japanese sweet from Kyoto. I highly recommend this one if you wish to venture to something more unique and traditional.

More Gluten-Free Recipes?

I hope you enjoy making these delicious gluten-free recipes at home. If you are looking for more recipe ideas, click here to get inspiration! Thank you so much for reading and till next time!

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