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Home » College Meals

Easy College Meal Recipes

Eating well in college doesn’t have to be complicated. These affordable, beginner-friendly Japanese recipes come together fast with minimal tools and ingredients.

Try crowd-pleasers like Easy Oyakodon, Hayashi Rice and Mapo Tofu!

A bowl of rice topped with glazed grilled chicken pieces and scallions, this yakitori don is served with chopsticks on a wooden table. A cup and a sauce container are partially visible next to the bowl. A bowl of rice topped with glazed grilled chicken pieces and scallions, this yakitori don is served with chopsticks on a wooden table. A cup and a sauce container are partially visible next to the bowl.
Try this!
Yakitori Don (Video) 焼き鳥丼

Reader Favorites

All College Meals Recipes

  • A bowl of bok choy and tofu stir-fry with assorted mushrooms in a light brown sauce, served in a decorative dish on a wooden tray, accompanied by chopsticks and a cup of tea.
    Easy
    Bok Choy and Tofu Stir-Fry (Video)
    1
    20 minutes
  • Miso salmon in foil baked to perfection, topped with sliced mushrooms, julienned carrots, and lemon, garnished with chopped green onions. Served on a decorative plate with chopsticks beside it.
    Miso Salmon in Foil (Video) 鮭の味噌マヨホイル焼き
    4
    30 minutes
  • Glass containers filled with chopped napa cabbage, some with lids on and some open, are arranged on a white surface—ideal for Japanese hot pot meal prep. A metal pot with a glass lid is partially visible in the upper right corner.
    Japanese Hot Pot Meal Prep (Video)
    40 minutes
  • A bowl of Japanese Simmered Tofu and Egg Rice Bowl with fried tofu, egg, onions, and scallions sits on a tray next to red chopsticks, pickled ginger, a lidded bowl, and a cup of tea on a wooden table.
    Easy
    Simmered Tofu and Egg Rice Bowl (Video)
    2
    15 minutes
  • A baked casserole dish filled with cheesy, golden-brown lasagna inspired by Yaki Keema Curry, topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with chopped fresh parsley, set on a rustic wooden table.
    Yaki Keema Curry (Japanese Baked Curry with Egg & Cheese) (Video)
    4
    30 minutes
  • A bowl of steamed white rice topped with glazed, golden-brown yakitori don chicken pieces and grilled green onions, served with chopsticks on a wooden table.
    Easy
    Yakitori Don (Video) 焼き鳥丼
    122
    20 minutes
  • A bowl of tan tan udon noodle soup topped with ground meat, bok choy, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and chili oil, served on a wooden table with a soup spoon and teapot nearby.
    Easy
    Tan Tan Udon 坦々うどん
    5
    15 minutes
  • A plate of gapao rice features stir-fried ground meat with onions, red bell peppers, herbs, and a sunny-side-up egg on top, served over rice in a blue and white patterned bowl on a wooden table.
    Easy
    Gapao Rice ガパオライス
    3
    15 minutes
  • A plate of Tomato Bacon Pasta topped with tomato sauce, fresh chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, and parsley sits on a table set with drinks, a small plate of herbs, and utensils.
    Tomato Bacon Pasta (Video)
    10
    25 minutes
  • A hand holds a wooden bowl of clear soup filled with vegetables and tofu, while another hand lifts a spoonful of the soup, showing greens, tofu, and mushrooms.
    Easy
    Enoki Egg Drop Soup えのきのかきたま汁
    6
    20 minutes
  • A plate of crispy tofu topped with mixed sautéed mushrooms, julienned carrots, and green onions in a savory sauce, served on a scalloped white dish on a rustic wooden table with chopsticks and condiments nearby.
    Japanese Tofu Steak with Mushroom Ankake Sauce 豆腐ステーキ
    8
    30 minutes
  • A black bowl of miso soup with tofu cubes and green onions, with a black spoon lifting tofu from the soup. The bowl is placed on a wooden surface.
    Easy
    Tofu Egg Drop Soup 豆腐のかきたま汁
    10
    10 minutes
  • A bowl of udon noodles topped with seasoned ground meat, a poached egg with a runny yolk, sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of spices, served in a decorative bowl on a wooden table.
    Easy
    Soboro Udon そぼろうどん
    8
    15 minutes
  • Two slices of toast topped with melted cheese, ham, sliced green bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes, served on parchment paper with a small dish of red pepper flakes and a gold fork nearby.
    Easy
    Japanese Pizza Toast (Video) ピザトースト
    19
    15 minutes
  • A plate of glazed grilled chicken wings garnished with chopped green herbs and sesame seeds, served on a decorative white and blue dish on a wooden table. Chopsticks and small bowls are visible nearby.
    Honey Soy Chicken (Video) はちみつ醤油チキン
    89
    1 hour
  • A plate of glazed, pan-fried chicken pieces garnished with thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds, served on a ceramic dish with chopsticks on a wooden tray.
    Spicy Garlic Chicken (Video)
    5
    30 minutes
  • A close-up of a plate of spaghetti with slices of eggplant, bacon, and onion, garnished with chopped herbs. Two hands are twirling the pasta with a fork and spoon.
    Bacon & Eggplant Soy Sauce Butter Pasta (Video)
    5
    25 minutes
  • An oval shape plate containing Pan-Fried Curry Chicken garnished with lettuce.
    Easy
    Pan-Fried Curry Chicken (Video)
    13
    20 minutes
  • A wooden bowl containing tomato egg vermicelli soup garnished with green onion.
    Easy
    Tomato Egg Vermicelli Soup (Video)
    5
    15 minutes
  • A white scalloped plate containing stir-fried Butter Ponzu beef with komatsuna green and maitake mushrooms.
    Easy
    Butter Ponzu Beef (Video)
    11
    20 minutes
  • A white plate containing Honey Gochujang Chicken sprinkled with sesame chicken served on green salad.
    Easy
    Honey Gochujang Chicken (Video)
    14
    20 minutes
  • An oval plate with scalloped edge containing Pork and Eggplant Stir Fry served with multigrain rice and miso soup.
    Easy
    Easy Pork and Eggplant Stir-Fry (Video)
    3
    20 minutes
  • A round shallow bowl containing a bed of steamed rice and Hayashi Rice.
    Easy Hayashi Rice (Video)
    10
    40 minutes
  • An oval plate containing Chicken Stir-fry with Garlic Chives served on the table along with tea pot and small plates.
    Easy
    Chicken Stir-Fry with Garlic Chives (Video)
    4
    20 minutes
  • Wooden bowls filled with Pork Tofu Soup, served alongside steamed rice and a chicken dish on the table.
    Easy
    Pork Tofu Soup (Video)
    5
    15 minutes
  • An oval-shaped plate holds a comforting serving of Japanese cream stew, featuring tender chicken, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and broccoli in a rich, creamy white sauce. The stew is generously ladled over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
    Easy Cream Stew (Video)
    2
    40 minutes
  • A light wooden bowl containing Spicy Pork and Bean Sprout Miso Soup sprinkled with ground sesame seeds.
    Easy
    Spicy Pork and Bean Sprout Miso Soup (Video)
    5
    10 minutes
  • A Japanese black mortar containing cut tomato wedges dressed in ground sesame ponzu seasoning, garnished with mitsuba leaves on top.
    Tomato Salad with Sesame Ponzu (Video)
    4
    5 minutes
  • A round bowl containing Niku Miso, a savory Japanese ground pork dish seasoned with miso, mirin, and aromatics.
    Easy
    Easy Niku Miso (Video)
    9
    15 minutes
  • A large blue and white bowl containing udon noodle soup topped with fish cake, bok choy, fish cakes, and jammy soft boiled eggs in a savory dashi broth.
    Easy
    Easy Udon Noodle Soup (Video)
    2
    10 minutes
  • A donburi bowl containing mapo tofu over bed of steamed rice, served with a small bowl of miso soup and a glass of green tea.
    Easy
    Easy Mapo Tofu (Video)
    9
    15 minutes
  • A light-colored wooden tray containing a bowl of miso soup with soft tofu, wakame seaweed, and thinly sliced green onions, along with a bowl of steamed rice, a small plate of tamagoyaki, and a smalll side dish.
    Easy
    Easy Miso Soup (Video)
    9
    10 minutes
  • A black round plate containing metaiko pasta - Japanese spaghetti with spicy salted cod roe topped with julienned shiso and shredded nori seaweed.
    Easy
    Easy Mentaiko Pasta (Video)
    3
    13 minutes
  • A round plate containing Japanese chicken curry over steamed rice, garnished with fukujinzuke pickles.
    Easy
    Easy Japanese Curry (Video)
    7
    15 minutes
  • A Japanese ceramic bowl containing Oyakodon, a chicken and egg rice bowl dish garnish with green onion.
    Easy
    Easy Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Bowl) (Video)
    12
    15 minutes
  • An olive colored oval plate containing Yaki Udon, Japanese stir-fried udon noodles with chicken and vegetables.
    Easy
    Easy Yaki Udon (Video)
    5
    20 minutes
  • An oval plate containing Napolitan (Japanese Ketchup Spaghetti).
    Easy
    Easy Napolitan (Japanese Ketchup Spaghetti) (Video)
    2
    20 minutes
  • A white ramen bowl containing Korean ramen (ramyeon), topped with soft-cooked egg, kimchi, and green onions.
    Easy
    10 Minute Meal – Instant Ramen Recipe (Video)
    4
    8 minutes