Welcome! I’m so happy you’re here and excited to start your Japanese cooking journey.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to get started.
By the end, you’ll have a well-stocked pantry, the right kitchen tools, and the confidence to make quick Japanese meals—as well as a balanced Ichiju-Sansai meal.
Let’s get started and explore the simple, delicious world of Japanese home cooking!
In This Post
🍳Step 0: Understanding Japanese Home Cooking
Before we start, let’s clear something up—Japanese home cooking is nothing like sushi or ramen.
It’s simple, even plain. Not as rich as French food or as bold as Korean dishes, but that’s what makes it special.
I love Indian curry, but every day? Probably not.
But rice, miso soup, and a few simple sides? I’d never get tired of them.
Japanese home meals aren’t meant to be exciting—they’re comforting, balanced, and effortlessly part of daily life.
One of the best things? They’re naturally well-rounded.
If you follow Ichiju-Sansai or Mago Wa Yasashii, you get protein, carbs, healthy fats, and fiber without overthinking it.
But Japanese food isn’t just about nutrition—it’s tied to seasons and tradition.
Eating soba on New Year’s Eve, fresh cucumbers in summer, or sharing a warm meal with family all make it special.
And that’s what I want to share with you—the simplicity, the balance, and the meaning behind Japanese home cooking. So let’s get started!
💡 Curious about the philosophy behind traditional Japanese meals? Check out this guide to Washoku (the Japanese diet), where I explain the main aspects of Washoku.
🛒Step 1: Learn and Stock Up Basic Japanese Ingredients
Let’s start by setting the stage—your kitchen! Specifically, your pantry and fridge. This is where your Japanese cooking journey begins.
You’ll want to begin with some essential ingredients that form the foundation of Japanese cuisine.
Some basics to start with include soy sauce, miso, and dashi stock. Check out this article to discover more minimum essentials:
Start with the ingredients and condiments listed there, and you can add more as you expand your repertoire.
Now is also the perfect time to familiarize yourself with some fundamental Japanese ingredients:
- [Ultimate Guide] What is Dashi?
- [Ultimate Guide] What is Miso?
- [Ultimate Guide] What is Soy Sauce?
- [Ultimate Guide] What is Sake?
- [Ultimate Guide] What is Mirin?
- [Ultimate Guide] What is Japanese rice?
You can usually find these ingredients at your local Asian grocery store or through online retailers like Amazon. For more options, check out:
- [Best Places to Buy Japanese Ingredients Online]
Can’t find what you need? Don’t worry! There are plenty of substitutions you can use. This guide has you covered:
🥢Step 2: Set Up Your Kitchen with Essential Japanese Cooking Tools
The next step is to gather the essential tools for Japanese cooking.
While you can prepare many Japanese dishes using everyday tools like a knife and cutting board, having a few specialized tools can make your cooking journey easier and more enjoyable as you dive deeper into Japanese cuisine.
Some great tools to start with include a rice cooker and a tamagoyaki pan.
Check out these helpful resources for more details:
- [Essential Tools for Japanese Cooking for Beginners]
- [The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Tableware]
🍣Step 3: Try Making Simple Japanese Recipes
It’s time to cook some Japanese dishes!
I’ve selected a few easy and beginner-friendly recipes to help you start your Japanese cooking journey. Try making at least one of these dishes and experience what it’s like to cook Japanese food.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect—I just want you to enjoy the process and savor the amazing feeling of eating a home-cooked Japanese meal!
- Gyudon
- Oyakodon
- Inari Sushi
- Japanese curry
If you have the energy, I highly recommend making miso soup to serve alongside these dishes for a complete meal.
🍱Step 4: Try Making an Ichiju-Sansai Meal or Bento
I hope you’ve gotten your feet wet by trying at least one easy Japanese recipe in Step 3!
Now it’s time to dive a little deeper and make either an Ichiju-Sansai meal or a bento—whichever interests you most (or try both if you’re up for the challenge🙂).
Ichiju-Sansai
Ichiju-Sansai is a traditional Japanese meal structure that ensures a balanced and satisfying menu.
💡Learn more: What is Ichiju-Sansai? The Ultimate Guide
Sample menu:
- Japanese rice
- Miso soup
- Main dish (pick one)
- Shouga Yaki (Ginger Pork)
- Teriyaki Chicken/Tofu
- Side dishes (pick two)
- Green Peas with Sesame (Ingen no Gomaae)
- Kiriboshi Daikon and Salted Kelp Salad
- Japanese potato salad
Bento
Bento, the traditional Japanese lunch box, is a fantastic way to pack a balanced and visually appealing meal for school or work.
I’ll walk you through how to pack a bento beautifully and safely in this guide, so be sure to check it out!
- A Beginner’s Guide to Bento
Sample menu:
- Main Dish: Karaage
- Side Dish: Tamagoyaki
- Vegetable
- Broccoli and Bonito Flakes
- Red/Yellow Bell Peppers Kinpira
- Rice (pick one):
- Onigiri
- Japanese Write Rice
🎉Step 5: Practice, Experiment, and Have Fun!
Congratulations! You’ve completed the beginner’s guide, and now you’re ready to continue your journey into Japanese cooking 🙂
To improve your skills, I recommend cooking Japanese meals as often as possible.
It doesn’t have to be complicated—remember, Japanese cuisine is traditionally simple, designed to highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Next Steps
Here’s how you can continue on your cooking journey:
Try More Recipes
Now that you’ve learned the basics, why not explore more Japanese recipes? Check out our collection of beginner-friendly recipes here:
- [Quick and Easy Japanese Recipes]
- [Freezer-friendly Japanese Recipes]
- [Japanese Recipes only with Pantry Items]
- [A Guide to Koji - Japanese Fermented Seasonings]
Share Your Creations
We’d love to see your homemade Japanese dishes! Tag us on Instagram with your creations and connect with our community of Japanese food lovers.
Learn More Tips and Techniques
Excited to improve your skills further? Here are some resources you can use to deepen your knowledge:
- [Best Cookbooks for Learning Japanese Cooking]
- [Japanese Cutting Techniques]
- [How to Make Meal Plans with Japanese Dishes]
- [How to Make a Shopping List for Japanese Meals]
- [How to Present Japanese Dishes]
Bookmark This Guide
Save this guide so you can revisit it anytime as you continue your Japanese cooking journey!
I hope you enjoyed this guide and gained confidence in your Japanese cooking skills!
Please feel free to reach out or leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions for topics you’d like me to cover on this blog—I’m always happy to help!
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