Japanese cuisine offers so much more than just sushi rolls and ramen bowls. The culture is famous for an incredible variety of side dishes that complete any bento box or dinner table.
You can find everything from umami-rich soups to sweet salads and tofu creations. I have gathered 15 of the most scrumptious recipes to take your meal from average to spectacular.
They are all easy to make and bursting with flavor.
1. Japanese Grilled Eggplant
Dengaku involves coating grilled eggplant in a sweet glaze. This traditional dish packs so much flavor that I would welcome it at dinner anytime.
The grilling process imparts a delightful smoky taste that pairs perfectly with the sweet miso sauce. You often see it served as an appetizer.
I honestly wouldn’t mind eating it as a main course with some rice.
2. Japanese Chicken Wings
Skip the usual buffalo wings and give your fried chicken some Asian flair. These wings ooze with a sweet and savory glaze featuring ginger and garlic plus pepper.
The skin gets insanely crisp. You coat the chicken in potato starch rather than flour to achieve that maximum crunch.
3. Japanese Potato Salad
This recipe loads mashed potatoes with cucumbers and carrots plus eggs. It offers a lip-smacking combination of tastes and textures.
You should give this version a try if you are bored with standard mashed potatoes. Roughly mashed spuds mix with crunchy veggies for a wonderful contrast.
Mayo and rice vinegar make it rich and downright delicious.
4. Kani Salad
I can definitely get on board with this salad. It features shredded cucumber with sweet corn and imitation crab meat resting on lettuce.
A dressing of mayo and ponzu sauce ties it all together. The combination of corn and crab makes it hard to resist.
This dish is sweet and creamy while also being colorful and crunchy.
5. Cold Tofu
Hiyayakko is a recipe that will surely wow you. It consists of chilled soft tofu garnished with fresh ginger and scallions.
Bonito flakes go on top as the best garnish ever. These dried fish flakes provide a wonderful salty flavor and melt right in your mouth.
6. Japanese Cabbage Pancakes
Okonomiyaki pancakes are made from shredded cabbage mixed with flour and eggs. Bacon joins the party too.
They might not sound as amazing as fluffy breakfast hotcakes but they are definitely worth trying. They come out perfectly crisp and savory since they do not use sweet batter.
You really cannot go wrong with bacon.
7. Pickled Daikon Radish
Takua is a sweet and crunchy side that tickles the taste buds. You sun-dry the radish before pickling it in a mixture of rice wine vinegar and sugar.
Turmeric and water aid the process over several months. This gives it a distinct savory flavor that works perfectly as a palate cleanser.
8. Japanese Simmered Squash
Kabocha is the flavorful Japanese counterpart to butternut squash. It has tougher skin but the flesh inside is softer and sweeter.
This classic side elevates the vegetable by cooking it in a mild broth called dashi. The liquid brings out the sweet flavor of the squash beautifully.
9. Teriyaki Tofu
People who say tofu is bland have never tried this recipe. This teriyaki tofu packs in so much flavor that you won’t miss the meat.
It involves pan-frying the tofu in a sweet and savory sauce. You only need four ingredients to make it happen.
10. Japanese Spinach Salad
Gomae is a basic side dish that bursts with flavor. Do not let the simplicity of spinach fool you here.
A rich dressing made with sake and mirin makes it stand out. Soy sauce and sugar plus roasted sesame seeds create an umami-packed flavor that makes veggies exciting.
11. Japanese Fried Rice
Yakimeshi loads up fried rice with eggs and meat. You season it with soy sauce and salt plus pepper and sesame oil.
Scallions add a wonderful combination of colors to make it special. You just stir all the ingredients together in a giant frying pan for an easy dinner.
12. Japanese Green Beans
This recipe mixes green beans with silky crumbled tofu. You flavor the dish with miso and sesame seeds.
The ground seeds add nuttiness while the miso brings sweet and salty notes. The aroma of this dish smells spectacular.
13. Japanese Coleslaw
This bright and refreshing side dish makes any meal feel special. You simply drizzle mounds of shredded cabbage with dressing.
A mixture of soy sauce and lemon juice provides all the flavor you need. It is surprisingly addictive for something so simple.
14. Spicy Bean Sprout Salad
Bean sprouts are a staple soup topping in many Asian cultures. This Japanese version flavors the crisp sprouts with a spicy sauce made from sesame oil.
The taste is spot on. It provides a nice kick when served alongside ramen or rice dishes.
15. Japanese Turnips with Miso
These small turnips are sweet and crunchy. You mix them with greens and cook everything in miso butter and mirin.
The rich butter contrasts with the light veggies and sweet wine. The flavors complement each other so well that you won’t notice you are eating healthy food.
