18 Best Japanese Side Dishes With Easy Recipes (2024)

Discover a collection of the 18 Best Japanese Side Dishes, each with an easy recipe. Try them out today and savor the delicious flavors of Japan at your table!

I’m going to show you 18 delicious Japanese side dishes that you can make at home! From traditional favorites to my personal recommendations, this collection offers a variety of dishes to choose from. Plus, they are all easy to prepare, so go ahead and give them a try!

This recipe is for you if:
• You love Japanese food.
• You are looking for Japanese side dishes.
• You want to know how to prepare Japanese side dishes.

Traditional Japanese Meal

When dining at Japanese restaurants, you’ll notice that the meal is served with different dishes for each part, such as the main dish, white rice, miso soup, and various side dishes. Japanese side dishes are essential in creating a balanced and harmonious meal, offering a variety of options like pickled vegetables (tsukemono), tofu dishes, steamed veggies, salads, and more.

Below, you’ll find a collection of 18 delicious Japanese side dishes, each with easy recipes using common ingredients. These dishes feature light and flavorful options, focusing on vegetables, tofu, and eggs. Enjoy the variety!

1. Sunomono Salad (Japanese Cucumber Salad)

This refreshing Sunomono Salad, seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce, is a popular side dish, particularly enjoyed during the hot summer months. Its invigorating flavor and crisp texture make it a perfect accompaniment to any meal.

2. Goma-ae Recipe 4 Ways (Japanese Sesame Salad)

Goma-ae is a classic and popular dish in Japanese cuisine, known for its delightful flavor derived from ground sesame seeds.

Although spinach goma ae, also known as Japanese spinach salad, is the most popular version, goma ae can be made with different kinds of vegetables. This recipe includes – spinach, green beans, broccoli, and asparagus – to give you a variety of options to try out!

3. Kinpira Gobo (Japanese Burdock Stir Fry)

Kinpira Gobo is a simple side dish made by stir-frying burdock roots and carrots seasoned with mirin and soy sauce. With its satisfying crunch and delicious flavor, Kinpira gobo is a healthy and satisfying addition to any meal!

4. Simmered Kabocha (Kabocha Nimono)

Simmered Kabocha is a traditional Japanese dish that offers a sweet and delicious flavor. If you’re a fan of Japanese kabocha squash, I have more kabocha squash recipes for you to explore!

5. Hijiki Seaweed Salad

This Hijiki Seaweed Salad is an easy side dish and perfect for anyone looking to explore Japan’s flavors while enjoying this nutritious ingredient’s many health benefits.

6. Pickled Daikon Radish

Pickled Daikon Radish is a must-have for our family dinner, offering a refreshing taste that serves as an excellent palate cleanser after any meal. If you appreciate the flavors of Japanese daikon radish, I have more daikon radish recipes for you to explore!

7. Quick Japanese Pickled Cucumbers

Japanese Pickled Cucumbers is a simple dish that requires only cucumbers and shio kombu (flavorful kombu seaweed). This delightful side dish is a refreshing accompaniment, adding a burst of flavor to your meal!

8. Japanese Pickled Napa Cabbage

Another simple Japanese pickle dish! This Pickled Napa Cabbage is a great side dish, offering a delightful crunch and umami flavor that complements a variety of meals.

9. Japanese Daikon Salad with Sesame Dressing

This tasty and easy Daikon Salad with Sesame Dressing is a great option, with crunchy and juicy raw daikon paired with a creamy sesame dressing.

10. Wakame Salad (Japanese Seaweed Salad)

Wakame seaweed is a common ingredient in Japanese cooking. This popular Wakame Salad, which you may have already tasted at your favorite Japanese restaurants, boasts a delicate texture and mild flavor that will surely be a hit.

11. Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms

This simple Sauteed Shiitake Mushroom recipe can be served as a delightful side dish or used as a topping for rice or noodles. It’s a versatile addition to any meal and provides a fantastic opportunity to savor the delicious flavor of shiitake mushrooms!

12. Eggplant Teriyaki Recipe

The homemade teriyaki sauce offers a delectable blend of sweetness and saltiness that complements eggplant perfectly! Give this Eggplant Teriyaki Recipe a try!

13. Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu Recipe)

If you’re looking for a quick and light dish, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu Recipe). All you need is to prepare chilled tofu and topped with your choice of ingredients. Try this simple recipe ready in 5 minutes!

14. Tofu Misozuke (Miso Tofu Cheese)

Enjoy the delightful flavor of this Tofu Misozuke as an appetizing start to your meal. The tofu is marinated with miso paste, making it a creamy texture and deliciously salty taste that will leave you craving more!

15. Tofu Salad with Seaweed

With its delicious homemade ginger dressing and nutritious ingredients, this Tofu Salad with Seaweed is ideal for satisfying your cravings while keeping you feeling great!

16. Teriyaki Tofu with Mushrooms

If you’re a fan of teriyaki tofu and mushrooms, you’re sure to love this Teriyaki Tofu with Mushrooms recipe! The combination of the savory and sweet teriyaki sauce coating the crispy tofu and stir-fried mushrooms is a perfect match.

17. Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelet)

Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelet), a beloved Japanese home-cooking dish, is a soft and fluffy rolled omelet that is perfect for breakfast or lunch. While this is a plain tamagoyaki recipe, you have the option to add various fillings, such as nori tamagoyaki, tuan and scallions tamagoyaki, and tofu and hijiki tamagoyaki.

18. Natto Omelet

If you enjoy eating natto, you can try this Natto Omelet. Mixing natto with eggs will make it fluffier and more fun to eat. If you have never heard of natto, see “What is Natto?”,“How to eat natto”for more details.

Looking For More?

If you’re looking for more variations, check out these collections of healthy and simple Japanese side dishes below!

• Vegetable Dishes
• Tofu Dishes
• Egg Dishes

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