Tako Su or Octopus Salad is a refreshing and tangy appetizer served in izakaya (Japanese tapas or gastropub) restaurants. If you enjoy octopus sashimi, here‘s another fun way to prepare octopus.
Popular Japanese appetizer recipes for your next gatherings! From gyoza, karaage, to yakitori, these appetizers will sure wow the crowd.
While Japanese food is often associated with sushi, kobe beef, and milky pork based ramen, the cuisine also offers plenty of vegan options for those
This Japanese-Style Tofu Steak is inspired by teppanyaki that I love whenever I eat at Japanese restaurants. This tofu steak is seasoned with a sweet and savoury sauce with mirin, soy sauce and vegetarian oyster sauce.You get that ‘meaty’ bite from the pan-fried tofu that’s coated in the sauce that thickens as the sugars cook down and beautifully coats each piece. This tofu is also cooked with shiitake mushrooms for added texture and umami along with aromatics. This is best paired with a bowl of steamed rice or chahan (Japanese fried rice).
This recipe was adapted from Kansha by Elizabeth Andoh, a fabulous vegan Japanese cookbook. In her recipe she calls for kinako, toasted soy bean flour. I left it out because I didn't have any yet. You may add 1 tbsp to this recipe if you have it. Look for kinako and anko/adzuki red bean paste at your local Japanese grocery store or online. These pancakes are also commonly filled with chunky red bean ice cream or fruit marmalades.
You'll never look at cabbage the same way again once you've tasted this Japanese Izakaya style "yamitsuki" cabbage! Crunchy pieces of fresh cabbage tossed in sesame seeds and seasonings to create the ultimate umami bomb. Even if you don't like cabbage, I guarantee this dish will change your mind!
These miso butter mushrooms in foil packets are so easy to make with a medley of Japanese mushrooms. They are creamy, savory, and rich in flavor. Serve it as a side or a main dish.
One of the staple sauces I always have in my fridge is a bottle of homemade teriyaki sauce. Authentic teriyaki sauce actually only requires 4 basic ingredients but I love to add some garlic and ginger in mine for extra flavour.I also shared two recipe options below--the first is a more authentic teriyaki sauce while the second is an alternative teriyaki sauce recipe that don’t use any mirin or sake.
These Spanish spinach croquettes are a typical tapa in bars all around Spain. They’re simple to make, packed with flavour and make a great vegan party finger food or appetizer!
Miso glazed aubergine or nasu dengaku is a naturally vegan and gluten-free Japanese-inspired meal. It pairs up nicely with rice and stir-fried greens.
This miso eggplant or nasu dengaku is something really special. Baking the eggplant makes it velvety soft and melt in the mouth while the miso sauce is a very simple mixture of ingredients that you brush over and then grill! This is a pushy recipe Dear Reader!
If you're looking for a hearty vegan main dish, look no further! These delicious Vegan Japanese Eggplant No-Meatballs are plant based but savory, satisfying, and covered in a homemade teriyaki sauce.
This Ratatouille recipe comes together quickly for a fresh weeknight dinner. Plus, it's suitable for gluten free, paleo and vegan diets!
Learn how to make light and crispy mushroom tempura! It makes a great appetizer served with spicy soy sauce or a garlicky tahini sauce!
Experience the best of both worlds with this unique recipe that combines the traditional Italian gnocchi with the umami flavors of Japanese miso. The result is a harmonious fusion of cultures and tastes that will leave you craving for more.
Crispy-fried tofu wrapped in sheets of nori cooked in a spicy szechuan-inspired sauce. The nori here gives that extra umami flavour and texture. This one’s one of those really saucy and satisfying dishes that’s perfect enjoy with some rice. I had more than 4 pieces of these in one go and my family loves them as well!
Soft and tender vegan meatballs glazed with a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce! A crowd-pleaser!
This spicy beet seitan blends herbs and spices that one would find in cured products such as pepperoni to create a smoky hearty flavour. Deep red beets add color but also healthy nutrients like B vitamins. You can fry it up and brush it with maple syrup for a smokey salty chewy and crisp addition to a breakfast sandwich or stir fry with onions and sweet BBQ sauce to top noodles or rice. The possibilities are endless.
Onigiri, aka Japanese stuffed rice balls make a tasty and healthy snack or a quick lunch. Learn how to make 5 vegan versions.
Otsumami, often served as finger food or nibbles in Japanese izakayas, are varied snacks ranging from pickles to fried chicken, like tapas. These 30 delicious and addictive otsumami recipes allow you to recreate the izakaya experience at home, offering a blend of socializing and snacking.
A nutty and savory snack of edamame pods lightly fried in toasted sesame oil and tossed in soy sauce.
These Miso Glazed Melting Sweet Potatoes are deliciously tender and caramelized with a sweet and salty maple miso glaze. Simple, easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
As in all of my recipes, 1 cup equals 250 ml.
Homemade Shiso Pesto takes just 10 minutes to make and is one of the best ways to enjoy a bounty of fresh green shiso (perilla) leaves. Just like traditional basil pesto, this vegetarian-friendly recipe uses pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan or Romano cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.
Senbei - Japanese Rice Crackers with Furikake
Homemade dumpling wrappers packed with a tofu and veggie filling! These vegetable dumplings are pan-fried to get that really nice golden brown crust before being cooked with a little water to steam and evenly cook the wrappers.
Negi Miso (Leek and Miso Sauce) is an excellent all-purpose condiment. Use it to marinate meat, dip vegetables and egg rolls, and enjoy on steamed rice! Its bright, aromatic, and savory flavors work wonders in any recipe, especially Japanese or Asian dishes.
This eggplant unagi (or rather, “unagi”) is indeed reminiscent of a Japanese eel, with a similar sweet, savory sauce. But instead of eel, the main event is eggplant!
Incredibly meaty, store-quality plant-based hamburger patties made with a few simple ingredients. Served alone with sauce as with classic Japanese Hamburger Steak (Hambagu ハンバーグ). Equally delicious…
Japanese Zucchini is sauteed with onion in soy sauce and teriyaki sauce plus a few red pepper flakes for spice. Makes a great side dish for any Asian meal or grilled seafood, chicken, or steak.
This recipe is a staple in my arsenal. It’s super quick and easy to make and (so far) the best vegetarian meatloaf I’ve had. Even my meat & potatoes loving father tried it reluctant…
Wrapping up Vietnamese fresh spring rolls in rice paper is easier than you think! This easily customizable recipe is cool & refreshing - perfect for summer.
This crunchy and nutty Gobo Salad (Japanese Burdock Salad) is a popular side dish in Japan. Tossed in a creamy dressing of ground sesame and Kewpie mayonnaise, it‘s a salad that goes well with any Japanese meal and even in your bento lunchbox.
Stuffed with sweet kabocha squash and miso-glazed eggplant, these Oyaki Japanese dumplings are a popular snack in Nagano Prefecture in central Japan.
