Looking for reliable side dishes to round out your weeknight dinner? From teriyaki tofu to tamagoyaki to mushrooms in foil, we’ve put together a collection of easy Japanese side dishes that your family will love and that work well for many occasions.
Growing up in Japan, colorful side dishes (okazu) were always at the center of our family table. My mother never served a meal without at least two or three small plates alongside the main dish, each chosen to balance color, texture, and flavor. That instinct stuck with me, and it’s how I still cook today. Here, I’m sharing my favorite easy Japanese side dishes: the ones I actually make on weeknights, pack into bento boxes, and reach for when I need something that pulls a whole meal together.
What do you look for when choosing a side dish? I follow these simple rules:
Consider varying colors, textures, flavors, and nutrients that round out a meal.
Here, you’ll find easy Japanese side dishes that pair well with a wide variety of Japanese meals. From tried-and-true classics to Western-inspired dishes, each one is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed on its own. You can even use the leftovers for your bento lunch the next day!
Steeped in a savory dashi broth, Japanese Spinach Salad uses a simple method called ohitashi to infuse the greens with subtle umami flavor. It‘s one of the classic Japanese cooking techniques used to prepare vegetable side dishes. {Vegan Adaptable}
Learn to make classic Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette) with my step-by-step tutorial and video. This 3-ingredient recipe needs no dashi and comes together in just 15 minutes—perfect for breakfast or bento lunch.
Crispy on the outside yet soft inside, this easy pan-fried Teriyaki Tofu recipe with savory homemade sauce is so flavorful! Serve this versatile Japanese protein as an appetizer or main dish with steamed rice and your favorite sides. {Vegan and gluten-free adaptable}
Baked and broiled in the oven, this Miso-Glazed Eggplant is easily the dream dish of any eggplant lover! The eggplant pieces are nicely caramelized on the edges yet so creamy in the middle. It‘s a satisfying vegan dish that you can make in 30 minutes.
The best way to keep your broccoli fresh and tasty is to blanch it with salt and sesame oil. It‘s easy, healthy and so versatile. The blanched broccoli keeps well for up to 3-4 days in the fridge and is ready to enjoy any time!
Ramen Eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago) are soft-boiled, marinated, and packed with umami flavor. Jammy yolks and a salty-sweet soy marinade come together with just 4 simple ingredients. They're a classic ramen topping you can make ahead and enjoy all week long on everything!
Hiyayakko or Japanese Cold Tofu is a perfect appetizer or side dish that you can whip up instantly! You‘ll love how smooth and silky it tastes. For many fun variations, feel free to switch up the toppings. Serve the tofu on a hot summer day and enjoy it with a cold beer. {Vegan/Vegetarian Adaptable}
Celebrate your favorite summer produce with this quick Zucchini Corn Stir-Fry! Here, I flavor the vegetables with umami-rich miso, savory soy sauce, and creamy butter to accentuate their sweetness and vibrancy. It‘s simple, speedy, and enjoyable!
Juicy and crispy Salted Chicken Wings (Teba Shio) are a popular dish at Japanese izakaya restaurants. With my unbelievably easy recipe and a few ingredients, you can oven-broil these delicious wings at home for your next party, game-day spread, or lazy Sunday dinner.
Looking for a quick and delicious way to enjoy kabocha squash? Try this Japanese-style Roasted Kabocha Squash that's thinly sliced and oven-baked until slightly charred and fork-tender. I'll show you how to flavor it with either shichimi togarashi spice blend or sweetened soy sauce. These classic Japanese seasonings enhance the natural sweetness and beautiful flavor of the kabocha.
With crispy panko breading on the outside and delicious Black Forest ham on the inside, Ham Katsu is the simplest cutlet you can make with easy-to-get ingredients. Inspired by the Japanese drama Midnight Diner.
Dressed in sesame oil and Japanese seven spice, this Spicy Bean Sprout Salad is delicious as an appetizer or topping for your ramen noodle soup. My recipe is so quick and easy—ready in less than 10 minutes!
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.
Cooked in savory dashi broth seasoned with soy sauce and sake, this classic Japanese Simmered Kabocha Squash makes a satisfying and healthy side dish that is chock-full of nutrients. {vegan/vegetarian adaptable}
This light, refreshing, and colorful Japanese Kani Salad recipe is so easy and quick to whip up with imitation or real crab, corn kernels, and cucumbers. Tossed in a creamy citrus-soy dressing, it‘s guaranteed to be a hit with your entire family!
This easy Miso Meat Sauce (Niku Miso) is a tasty, savory-sweet side dish of ground meat seasoned with fermented soybean paste, mirin, and aromatics. Try it on steamed rice and noodles or in a lettuce wrap. As a bonus, it‘s meal-prep friendly!{vegan/vegetarian adaptable}
We hope you and your family enjoy these Japanese side dishes!
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