Ready to up your sandwich game this summer? Here, you’ll find some of the best Japanese sandwiches that are as amazing as they look. Each one is packable, portable, and delicious!
While rice and noodles are long-time staples, Japanese sandwiches (or sando) are now making their mark on the international culinary scene. From the convenience store’s egg sandwich to the epic wanpaku sandwich to the nori-wrapped rice sandwich, these sandwiches are undoubtedly among the best foods out there!
Any sandwich expert would agree that they are more than just grab-and-go food; they are an art form in themselves. We think this owes a lot to the Japanese sensibility and creativity with food. Some of the key strategies? The magical juxtaposition of ingredients, visual aesthetics, and precise cutting of the sandwich.
Here are some of the best Japanese sandwiches you can make for your road trips, bento lunch box, picnic, potluck, or snack on the go. Each recipe also comes with extra tips. We hope you’re inspired!”
10 Spectacular Japanese Sandwiches To Make
1. Japanese Egg Sandwich (Tamago Sando)
Some people argue that the Japanese Egg Sandwich (or Tamago Sando) is the best egg sandwich they have ever tasted! While we try to stay neutral on this claim, we think its standout quality lies in its simplicity. There are no extra ingredients, just mashed boiled eggs tucked between soft, pillowy white bread. Other secrets? Japanese mayo and quality eggs.
2. Japanese Fruit Sandwich (Fruit Sando)
This slightly unconventional, vibrantly colored Fruit Sandwich, or Fruit Sando, is very popular in Japan. You get juicy seasonal fresh fruits embedded in chilled whipped cream between two slices of pillowy Japanese milk bread. The sandwich itself is light-tasting yet bursting with juicy sweetness. Have little ones at home? You’ll want to make this fruit sandwich now!
3. Katsu Sando
Crispy, juicy pork cutlets sandwiched between milk bread, this Japanese Katsu Sando is a homey kind of sandwich but downright satisfying! Instead of deep-frying the cutlets, you can bake them in the oven and still achieve a crispy texture with panko breadcrumbs.
4. Wanpaku Sandwich
Stuffed with colorful vegetables and layered ingredients, these solid Wanpaku Sandwiches present endless possibilities! Since they require some artistic assembly, half of the fun is making the sandwich itself. You’ll love that you can use up any leftovers from the refrigerator. The sandwich is guaranteed to fill you up.
5. Chicken Katsu Sandwich
This Baked Chicken Katsu Sandwich will rival anything you can get in a fast food place! Load it up with some garlic tonkatsu sauce, tomato, cucumber, and crisp lettuce for perfection. Throw out your picnic blanket or set up a camping tent in your backyard, and enjoy the sandwich with some iced lemonade for a perfect summer day.
6. Menchi Katsu Sandwich
There’s something about deep-fried foods in sandwich form that makes them a favorite patio food. Menchi Katsu Sandwich is built with a crunchy ground meat cutlet, thinly shredded cabbage, and tartar sauce sandwiched in brioche buns. Make the cutlet the night before and reheat it in the oven or toaster oven for a breezy Sunday beer party.
7. Spam Onigirazu
A popular Hawaiian creation, Spam Onigirazu is perfect for a quick meal or snack on the go. The winning combination of fried eggs, sweet sushi rice, and classic spam wrapped up in crunchy nori. You want to sink your teeth into this yummy treat!
8. Teriyaki Salmon Onigirazu
One of the greatest ideas for turning your leftovers into something truly delicious? Use them in a Japanese rice sandwich known as onigirazu. Double batch your weeknight dinners, like teriyaki salmon and grilled asparagus, then keep the leftovers for this Teriyaki Salmon Onigirazu!
9. Bulgogi Onigirazu
Packed with savory Korean grilled meat, eggs, vegetables & nori, this ultimate Bulgogi Onigirazu is another leftover remake genius. The easy homemade gochujang sauce makes everything taste even better!
10. Mixed Sando
Pack these popular fillings—tuna salad, tamago (egg salad), ham, and cheese with lettuce— as a combo for your picnic or bento box lunch.
Have you tried any of these Japanese sandwiches? Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Living in Japan for many years, I still couldn’t get enough of these fabulously delicious sandwiches.
Now having returned to Australia I really miss being able to go to my local store and buy them whenever I want.
I love to make them at home now, but really miss the lovely fluffy Japanese bread, they are not the same without it.
Hi Jill! Thank you for reading Nami’s post.
If you are interested in making Japanese bread (Shokupan), here is the recipe. We hope you enjoy it! 🤗
https://www.justonecookbook.com/japanese-milk-bread-shokupan/
Onigirazu has become my daughter’s favourite option for packed lunches and school trips. So easy to get creative with, and great to have a healthy, substantial snack you can eat on the go.
Hi Allie, We are so happy to hear your daughter loves Onigirazu!
Thank you very much for trying Nami’s recipe and for your kind feedback.😊
Uma grande ideia para um sábado a noite, sem contar que o visual dá vontade só de ficar olhando. Muito obrigado Namiko.
Obrigado pelas suas palavras gentis!
Hi Namiko! My boyfriend and I love your recipes. He’s is Japanese and I am Australian and he tells me your recipes are the most authentic. Every time we make something from your site it is always successful. Thank you so much! I was wondering if you had a secret to the 711 ham and cucumber sandwiches? We have tried to recreate them at home but there just seems to be something missing. Seems so simple but we can’t do it. Let me know! Thanks again for all your fabulous recipes, we also love reading the backstory behind each one.
Hi Izzy! Thank you very much for reading Nami’s post and trying her recipes!
We are so happy to hear you and your boyfriend enjoyed many recipes from our site.
Regarding the 711 sandwiches, Have you tried adding a pinch of sugar into Japanese mayo? It could be the missing ingredient.😉 We hope this helps!
Hi Nami:
The tamago sandwhich is the best. I’ll never make egg salad any other way from now on.
Thanks for all your great tips, including the Japanese Mayo. It just hits the spot.
Thanks Again
Susan
Hi Susan! Thank you very much for trying Nami’s recipe and for your kind feedback!
Nami and JOC team are glad to hear you enjoyed the Tamago Sand!☺️
Hello! Big fan here and made several of your recipes. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put int! I grew up in Japan (I’m half Japanese) and so many of your recipe satisfies my cravings for all the food I miss. One item I love is the simple Yasaisando you can pick up almost anywhere. I tried to recreate it but it never tastes the same even when using Kewpie mayo. Help!!!
Hi Corinne! Thank you very much for trying many of Nami’s recipes and for your kind feedback!
We are glad to hear many of Nami’s recipe satisfies your cravings!
The Simple Yasaisand is typically made with Japanese Mayo, butter, vegetables, and a Shoku-Pan. However, to create the same flavor, because it’s so simple taste, you need good quality vegetables and a Shoku-Pan (Japanese white bread) and butter. Good luck!
You have the most amazing blog. I’m so appreciative of your recipes, food knowledge and fabulous blogging. I’ve been following you for over a year, and this sandwich issue (my husband is a huge fan of sandwiches but not me), well, I want to try every one of these. So insightful, so marvelously Japanese with the flair for all things I love and respect about the culture. Thank you so very much. My only problem is that I can’t keep up with your voluminous awesomeness!!! And happy holidays to you and your fam! Oh, and also what Bev wrote below!!!
Hi Donna,
Thank you very much for your sweet comment!
Nami was very happy to read your comment.♥️
Thank you for trying many recipes from our website.
I would like to thank you for your great website. I have made many of your recipes and they always turn out really well. Your website is my go to site for Japanese recipes and information. Having just returned from our 3rd visit to Japan I find your travel blogs so helpful. Thank you from NZ
Today I made your recipe for your short cut Japanese Mayo to use in your recipe for egg salad. I had no idea what a huge difference the Mayo would make. I did add 1/4 tsp Dashi to it since you had included that in the longer recipe. (And I love Dashi) So smooth and creamy!! The Mayo and salad were absolutely delicious! Thank you for posting about the Mayo. Soooo delicious!! This will be my go-to recipe for mayo! So very much better than my “American ” egg salad.:-) I always look forward to reading your posts!! Thanks again
Hi Dell! Thank you so much for trying my quick mayo recipe and Tamago Sando! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your sweet feedback. It made me happy!
Hi Bev! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so happy to hear you enjoy my recipes and think my blog is helpful! 🙂 Hope you had a great trip to Japan!