I absolutely adore Japanese cuisine and those incredible umami flavors that make every bite delicious. From sushi to tempura, these dishes are always a hit, but you need the perfect starter to complete the meal.
Today I am sharing 17 recipes including everything from traditional onigiri to westernized salads to get your tastebuds ready for a culinary trip to Japan.
1. Harumaki (Japanese Spring Rolls with Pork)
Harumaki features a golden shell that is incredibly crisp on the outside. Inside you will find a mixture of mushrooms, pork, and vegetables.
It combines Chinese and Japanese cooking styles into one delightful bite. The filling gets amazing flavor from sesame oil, mirin, soy sauce, and ginger.
2. Japanese Miso Eggplant
Eggplant takes center stage in this flavorful vegetable dish. Miso gives the appetizer a salty and sweet profile that feels super refreshing.
You can enjoy this soybean condiment based recipe warm or hot. Just make sure you eat it immediately so the texture does not become soggy.
3. Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatballs)
Most meatballs usually contain beef or pork, but these chicken versions are truly impressive. They stay incredibly juicy and tender.
A soy sauce based glaze provides rich umami flavor along with sweet and salty notes. I love the extra crunch from the toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
4. Sweet and Spicy Soy Glazed Edamame
Japanese restaurants often serve this crunchy green vegetable to start your meal. While simple salt is common, this recipe adds way more flavor.
The secret glaze uses ginger, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. You can make this addictive snack in under ten minutes.
5. Japanese Chicken Salad
This salad might not be fully authentic, but it certainly highlights Japanese flavors. It features almonds, chicken, onions, and chopped cabbage.
The thin wavy strands you see are actually ramen noodles. That seasoning packet adds wonderful flavor to the dressing and the noodles provide a unique crunch.
6. Japanese Watercress Salad
Watercress is a leafy vegetable that provides plenty of vitamins and crunchy stems. This recipe keeps things simple by using only the greens without other ingredients.
The dressing stands out with a blend of salt, rice vinegar, honey, peanut butter, and soy sauce. Every bite is savory and tangy.
7. Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
These rice balls are absolutely my favorite appetizer from Japan. They typically come in triangular or oval shapes wrapped in nori seaweed.
While usually filled with pickled plums or salmon, this version uses no filling. You brush them with soy sauce and grill them for a crisp exterior.
8. Salted Edamame
You cannot go wrong with such a simple and flavorful appetizer. Edamame tastes delicious on its own without fancy dressings.
Just add a little salt and these soybeans are ready to eat. Get your biggest pot ready because you will want to cook a large batch.
9. Japanese Pickled Cucumbers with Soy Sauce
Pickled cucumbers act as a staple item for many Japanese meals. You can eat them as an afternoon snack or dip them in hummus.
I love cooking them in a marinade of ginger and soy sauce. The result offers a crunchy and tangy bite with a little kick.
10. Japanese Izakaya Style Salted Cabbage
Izakaya refers to a Japanese pub rather than a specific dish. People in Japan often pair their sake with cabbage instead of typical bar food.
This salty and crunchy appetizer is incredibly addictive. You can easily make this pub favorite right in your own kitchen.
11. Japanese Coleslaw
This crunchy and bright appetizer is the perfect way to begin a meal. Japanese style slaw uses lemon and soy sauce instead of mayonnaise.
This creates a refreshing and ultra light dish. I recommend adding bonito flakes to boost the fantastic umami flavor.
12. Simmered Daikon
This simple recipe features white radish simmered in a broth with soy sauce. A dash of wasabi transforms the daikon into something phenomenal.
It uses the fukumeni method which cooks the vegetable in a light broth. This technique allows the authentic color and taste to shine through.
13. Vegetable Gyoza
We start our list with these delicious dumplings. Gyoza are usually fried in a pan and filled with meat like beef or pork.
This recipe switches things up to be vegetarian friendly. The filling includes cabbage, carrots, shitake mushrooms, and tofu for a savory and earthy bite.
14. Gyoza Sauce
No serving of gyoza is complete without a great dipping sauce. This recipe uses four ingredients including chili flakes, sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar.
It tastes fantastic on its own but is also easy to customize. Feel free to add ginger or garlic for extra flavor.
15. Japanese Rice Paper Roll
This dish mashes up Japanese and Vietnamese cuisines beautifully. Glutinous rice paper wraps around lettuce, avocado, carrot sticks, bean sprouts, and prawns.
The dipping sauce brings spicy and sweet notes to the table. These rolls are truly sensational and refreshing.
16. Japanese Chilled Tofu
This dish is called hiyayakko and it might surprise you with how delicious it is. Silken tofu gets topped with grated ginger, green onions, and dried bonito flakes.
The tofu melts in your mouth with an insanely creamy texture. It makes for a delightful appetizer during summer.
17. Japanese Cucumber Salad
Sunomono is a salad known for delectable Asian flavors and a refreshing crunch. The cucumbers soak in a marinade of sugar, garlic, sesame oil, vinegar, and soy sauce.
Roasted peanuts add umami crunch while red chili flakes bring a touch of heat. It works great as a side dish for burgers.