Let’s cook some Japanese Chinese food recipes today! In this roundup, you’ll find a scrumptious selection of chuka ryori, including our most popular gyoza, nikuman, tan-men, mapo dishes, and more.
Chuka ryori (中華料理) refers to Japanese Chinese cuisine, which has a long history and an important position in Japanese food culture. Whether it’s ramen, gyoza, or mapo tofu, these dishes were introduced from China to Japan but have been adapted over the years to suit Japanese tastes.
Following our article on the history and background of chuka ryori, we’ve put together a selection of our best Japanese-Chinese food recipes that you can make at home. They are our readers’ favorites, and we know you’re going to enjoy them too!
18 Best Japanese-Chinese Food Recipes To Make At Home
1. Gyoza (Pan-Fried Dumplings)
Possibly one of the most popular chuka ryori dishes, gyoza needs no introduction. The key difference between the Japanese dumplings and their Chinese counterparts is the cooking method. Gyoza are first pan-fried until crispy brown on the bottom, then steamed until the top is tender and the inside is juicy. The unique technique gives gyoza the ‘best-of-both-world’ texture.
Vegetarian? Don’t miss out on Vegetable Gyoza.
♥ “I have to thank you once again for your wonderful website. I make gyoza for the first time and am happy to report 100% success rate! I’ve always felt unsure about the seemingly complicated wrapping method but your photographic instructions were very helpful.“ — Kitty
2. Mapo Tofu
The Japanese adapted the famous Sichuan mapo tofu by cutting down on the spices while keeping the flavors savory and bold. It comes together in 30 minutes and is a must-keep for your weeknight meal.
♥ “I just made the Mapo Tofu today. SO simple and fast, and more importantly, very delicious!” – Leo
3. Mapo Eggplants (Mabo Nasu)
Another popular adaptation of a Sichuan dish commonly known as Fish Fragrant Eggplant (魚香茄子), Mapo Eggplant is amazing when served over hot steamed rice. Here, eggplants are stir-fried with ground pork and seasoned with a bold, savory sauce.
♥ “I made this recipe for a reluctant family and they loved it! It will be a good one for our regular rotation.” — Rita A
4. Stir-Fry Vegetables (Yasai Itame)
Who doesn’t like a good simple stir fry? This Stir fry Vegetables is loaded with plenty of vegetables and your choice of protein. Swap out the meat with tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian meal. You can learn the best tips on stir frying in the blog post too!
♥ “Once everything was chopped, it only took 15 minutes. This recipe will definitely be added to the rotation of weeknight dinners!” — Stephanie
5. Beef & Green Pepper Stir Fry
Beef and Green Pepper Stir Fry (Chinjao Rosu) is a staple in Japanese households. What makes it Japanese is the addition of bamboo shoots, which can be easily found at Asian or Japanese grocery stores.
♥ “I made this recipe tonight for dinner and it was perfect for a cold evening served with rice and a side dish of bok choy. I am fairly new to this website but I can say that all of the recipes I have tried so far have been very successful and have increased my confidence in cooking.” — Kris H
6. Sara Udon (Crispy Noodles with Seafood)
Sara Udon is the Japanese version of the classic Chinese dish Crispy Noodles with Seafood (海鮮炒麵), featuring stir-fried seafood, sliced pork, and vegetables atop a bed of pan-fried egg noodles. You can make this recipe at home, rivaling the ones served at restaurants.
♥ “I tried this yesterday & it came out so wonderfully!” — Tene
7. Harusame Salad (Japanese Glass Noodle Salad)
Glass noodles came to Japan from China during Kamakura period (1185-1333) as a vegan food for monks, and it’s been used in the Japanese kitchen for almost 800 years. In this salad recipe, you have tangles of slippery chewy noodles, crisp vegetables, and salty ham, all tossed in a tangy sesame soy vinaigrette. So refreshing and tasty!
♥ “I made this for a party and it was great because it was make-ahead. This is like Korean chap chae but easier! I added mushrooms and tomatoes too 🙂 So delicious.” — Cynthia C
8. Tan-Men
Don’t underestimate the simplicity of this ramen soup noodle! There are plenty of flavors from the broth and the mixture of stir-fried vegetables and pork that topped the noodles. It also happens to be one of the quickest ramen recipes you can make at home!
♥ “I cooked this soup in huge amount and whole family loves it. However, I totally failed to find chuka dashi. So, I substitute it with regular granulated chicken broth + regular dashi (1:1) and it tastes just great.” — Asa
9. Pork Shumai (Steamed Pork Dumplings)
A popular dim sum item at Chinese restaurants, shumai has also gained popularity in Yokohama, Japan, since 1928! How can you distinguish Japanese shumai from the Chinese version? Look for the green pea that crowns the open steamed dumplings.
♥ “This was a hit with my hubby! I added some finely diced water chestnut for some crunch. Thank you Nami!” — Roren
10. Nikuman (Steamed Pork Buns)
Another favorite of dim sum, Nikuman is the Japanese name for the Chinese baozi, also known as chūka man. In western Japan (西日本), they are called buta man (豚まん). These savory buns are usually steamed inside a bamboo steamer and taste best when you enjoy hot and fluffy right after cooking.
♥ “These are now in our regular rotation–so good!!! I make a big batch of filling, freeze half, then defrost and make the dough. The best part–leftovers!” — Ilonka
11. Ebi Chili (Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry)
These succulent shrimp glazed in a sweet and spicy sauce are derived from Szechuan-style Kan Shao Shrimp (乾焼蝦仁) but adapted to a less-spicy and sweet flavor suited for Japanese taste.
♥ “I cooked your Ebi shrimp this morning for my husband’s bento and—as always—ate the leftover right away with cold rice for my breakfast! It tastes was wonderful and now definitely in my list of “quick delicious food.“ — Poca
12. Harumaki (Spring Rolls)
Crispy spring rolls are one of the tastiest handheld foods. Here, you have savory filling wrapped in pastry sheets and deep-fried till golden brown. Make more because they will be gone in seconds!
♥ “I have celiac disease and used Vietnamese rice wrappers for these. Yum. Thank you so very much for your recipes! My family is grateful.” — Aimee
13. Chashu (Braised Pork Belly)
No one can resist the melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork belly that tops the bowl of ramen! Now you can make it at home with this easy recipe. Unlike the Chinese version, the Japanese chashu is prepared by rolling it into a log and then braising it over low heat in a soy-based sauce. The succulent and fork-tender texture is what you’re after.
♥ “I lived in Japan for two years a couple years ago and I was starting to crave chashu and this was delicious. My wife who doesn’t usually like beef or pork loved it and I wished I would have made more.” — Matt
14. Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen)
Hiyachi chuka literally means “chilled Chinese.” Despite the unimaginative translation, this chilled ramen noodle dish is anything but ordinary. Its refreshing taste and colorful toppings make it a favorite during the warmer months. Plus, you can certainly be creative with your toppings. Keep it vegetarian by using your favorite veggies.
Here’s another delicious version: Hiyashi Chuka with Sesame Miso Sauce.
♥ “My relative recently recommended that I eat hiyashi chuka since it’s been so hot. I found your recipe and tried it out. The husband and I love it! I know that I could buy bottled sauce but the recipe that you provide is so tasty.” — Kathy
15. Black Sesame Dan Dan Noodles
Black sesame tan tan men is a Japanese take on dan dan noodles, the classic Sichuan dish. The broth becomes creamier and nuttier with the addition of soy milk, highlighting the black sesame flavor. When served with chili oil and garlic chips, the noodle dish is absolutely sensational.
♥ “This dish is amazing! Thanks for the photos of different ingredients to make finding them easier. All the parts of this recipe come together into something sublime.”— Karen
16. Ootoya’s Sweet and Sour Chicken
Similar to many Chinese sweet and sour chicken recipes, the Japanese use black rice vinegar in the sauce to create a deep, malty savory flavor. The Japanese version also includes many other vegetables, such as potatoes, eggplants, and lotus root.
♥ “Just cooked this tonight for dinner (sans lotus root). Was skeptical about the apple cider vinegar at first (been using ketchup for this type of dish)…. But lo and behold, I loved the combination of flavors 🙂 No leftovers again tonight.” — Gladys SY
17. Easy Fried Rice
Fried rice is the most genius meal created by the Chinese in honor of leftovers! In comparison, Japanese-style fried rice uses short-grain rice, giving it a stickier texture. When it comes to the ingredients, simplicity is always best.
♥ “I made this fried rice tonight and was amazed at how good the end result was! I’ve attempted fried rice many times, and ran into the same problems you highlighted in the recipe (mushy, too many additions, etc.). This recipe was so wonderfully simple and delicious.” — Emi
18. Twice Cooked Pork (Hoi Ko Ro)
The Japanese style of twice-cooked pork is less spicy and uses bell peppers, yet makes a flavorful stir-fry to enjoy at home.
♥ “This recipe is such a great weeknight meal – so quick and easy to make! Definitely adding it to our rotation!” — Lindsay
Learn More About Chuka Ryori
READ: Chuka Ryori: Japanese Adaptation of Chinese Cuisine
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