Make Ahead

Browse our best make-ahead recipes. Save time in the kitchen by making a big batch for the freezer or preparing the night before your party. Try our readers’ favorites: All-Purpose Miso Sauce, Instant Pot Asian Pulled Pork, Japanese Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, and Bulgogi Onigirazu.

A fluted white plate containing two pieces of Kashiwa Mochi, a Japanese sweet red bean filled mochi wrapped in oak leaf.
A fluted white plate containing two pieces of Kashiwa Mochi, a Japanese sweet red bean filled mochi wrapped in oak leaf.

Kashiwa Mochi (Video) かしわ餅

5
(7)
Soft and chewy Kashiwa Mochi is a rice cake filled with sweet red bean...
A white oval plate containing two Hanami Dango, served with matcha green tea.

Hanami Dango 三色花見団子

4.85
(26)
Hanami Dango is enjoyed during cherry blossom viewing in Japan. Three-color rice balls (sanshoku...
A round fluted plate containing sakura mochi served with matcha tea.

Sakura Mochi (Video) 桜餅

4.94
(15)
Chewy sakura mochi with sweet anko filling is simply delectable! Add the aroma of...
A Japanese ceramic plate containing Salmon and Shio Kombu Onigiri served with daikon pickles.

Salmon and Shio Kombu Onigiri 鮭と塩昆布のおにぎり

4.73
(11)
Salmon and Shio Kombu Onigiri are savory Japanese rice balls for bento lunch with...
A ceramic bowl containing homemade Furikake Chex Mix.

Furikake Chex Mix

4.61
(113)
Make this Hawaiian favorite—Furikake Chex Mix—for a holiday gift exchange, movie/game night, or potluck. It’s...
A donabe clay pot containing Japanese fish cake stew called oden, an assortment of fish balls and fish cakes.

Oden (Japanese Fish Cake Stew) おでん

4.74
(50)
Oden is a Japanese fish cake stew simmered in a soy sauce-based dashi broth...
A white plate containing Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding).

Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding) プリン

4.76
(37)
Made with eggs, milk, and sugar, Purin is a popular Japanese dessert of custard...
A rice bowl containing steamed rice sprinkled with furikake rice seasoning.

Furikake (Japanese Rice Seasoning) ふりかけ

4.37
(213)
Furikake is a savory-sweet rice seasoning of sesame seeds, katsuobushi, and nori seaweed that's...
A chocolate chiffon cake served on a cake stand.

Chocolate Chiffon Cake チョコレートシフォンケーキ

4.74
(118)
This show-stopping Chocolate Chiffon Cake is super-moist, fluffy, airy, and bouncy all at once!...
A ceramic plate containing steamed rice, dry curry, and a fried egg.

Japanese Dry Curry ドライカレー

4.57
(30)
Dry Curry is a gravy-less Japanese curry made with ground meat and minced vegetables...
A cross section of Black Sesame Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread).

Black Sesame Milk Bread (Shokupan) 黒ごま食パン

4.52
(25)
Nutty and earthy with a pleasant aroma, Black Sesame Milk Bread is a delicious...
A white square plate containing Japchae (Korean Stir-Fried Noodles)

Japchae (Korean Stir-Fried Noodles) (Video)

4.73
(61)
Flavorful and exquisite Japchae is made of sweet potato noodles, julienne vegetables, and sliced...
Just One Cookbook Essential Japanese Recipes vol-2

Love Our Recipes?
Check out our cookbooks!

Learn More!