Want to make a delicious Japanese side but don't know where to begin? Explore our favorite easy Japanese side dishes that pair perfectly with both Japanese and non-Japanese main courses. These dishes include umami-flavored veggies, musubi, tofu, sushi, tempura, and more.
Japanese side dishes are part of our weekly dinner rotation. Usually, we make them with a Japanese main course like chicken katsu, furikake salmon, or udon. However, these sides also pair seamlessly with so many other non-Japanese dishes, from fish to chicken, to BBQ.
Japanese recipes often have umami flavor, which makes it easy to pair with other savory dishes. Most of our recipes have minimal prep, simple instructions, a short cook time, and easy cleanup.
Below we've rounded up 22 of our favorite Japanese sides so you know exactly what to make for your next meal.
1. Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers
Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers
Furikake and Lemon Shishito Peppers are spicy, sweet, and a nice kick to any dinner. The peppers are spicy while the adds a tasty aroma, the furikake adds savory ocean flavor, and the lemon brightens everything. The best part is that these uniquely flavored peppers only take 15 minutes to make!
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2. Miso Glazed Eggplant
Miso Glazed Eggplant
Miso Glazed Japanese Eggplant is an umami-rich side that comes together in just 20 minutes with a handful of ingredients. It features tender Japanese eggplant and a flavor-packed caramelized miso glaze. Make this zesty dish while you make your main course.
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3. Spicy Ahi Poke
Spicy Ahi Poke (Spicy Tuna Bowl)
Spicy Ahi Poke is a light and refreshing recipe made with chunks of fresh sashimi grade tuna and spicy mayo sauce. Garnish with furikake and scallions then serve on its own or on a bed of cooled Japanese rice.
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4. Elotes Style Corn with Furikake
Elotes Style Corn with Furikake
Elotes Style Corn with Furikake is inspired by Mexican street corn and flavored with Japanese ingredients. Enjoy it on the cob, cut into smaller servings, or cut off the cob and served as a salad with your favorite Japanese main course. Regardless of how you prepare it, it will add a delicious umami crunch to your dinner.
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5. Spam Musubi
Teriyaki Spam Musubi
Teriyaki Spam Musubi is a Hawaii local favorite. It is filled with fried teriyaki Spam, short-grain white rice, and furikake wrapped in nori. It's the perfect low-effort snack or side for a beach day, potluck, or picnic.
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6. Sautéed French Green Beans with Furikake
Sautéed French Green Beans with Furikake
Sautéed French Green Beans with Furikake robustly flavored side that goes well with so many meals! The lemon juice brightens the fresh green beans while the furikake adds umami flavor.
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7. Japanese White Rice
Japanese White Rice
Steamed Japanese white rice is the quintessential Japanese side. It has a light flavor and firmness that compliments almost any protein or veggies. You can make white rice with a rice cooker or on the stovetop while you cook your main course.
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8. How to Make Spicy Kani Salad
Spicy Kani Salad
Spicy Kani Salad is a richly flavored salad featuring imitation crab, crunchy cucumbers, crispy panko, and spicy Kewpie mayo. Enjoy this 10-minute, flavor-packed salad as an appetizer or side for any Japanese meal.
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9. Unagi Hand Roll
Unagi Hand Roll
Unagi Hand Roll features Japanese eel cooked in a rich unagi sauce, then rolled in sushi rice and nori. This simple hand roll comes together in less than 10 minutes and is perfect for beginner sushi makers. Enjoy it as a hearty side for your favorite Japanese meal.
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10. Miso Mashed Potatoes
Miso Mashed Potatoes
Miso Mashed Potatoes are a decadent and creamy side. They feature flavorful homemade miso butter, garlic, and sage and go perfectly with gravy or au jus. The miso adds a uniquely savory and warm flavor. Add these crowd-pleaser potatoes to your weeknight dinner rotation or enjoy them for the holidays.
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11. Ajitama (Soft-Boiled Ramen Eggs)
Ajitama (Soft-Boiled Ramen Eggs)
Ajitama, also known as ramen eggs or ajitsuke tamago, are soft-boiled eggs marinated overnight in a soy sauce mixture. Ramen eggs have a rich umami flavor and are a quintessential ramen topping. They are also delicious as a side!
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12. Crunchy California Roll
Crunchy Spicy California Roll
Crunchy Spicy California Roll is a crispy upgrade from a standard California Roll. It features imitation crab tossed in spicy mayo, crunchy cucumber, and creamy avocado rolled in seasoned rice and nori, with a crispy panko crust. We love this as an appetizer or side if we want a bigger meal.
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13. Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash (Japanese Pumpkin)
Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash (Japanese Pumpkin)
This Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash recipe is a delicious fall dish featuring Japanese pumpkin, warm maple syrup, and toasted pecans. It only takes 45 minutes to prepare and and can bake in the oven while you cook your main dish. Serve it with a protein or on top of a salad for a nutritious and flavorful boost.
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14. Hamachi Crudo (Yellowtail Carpaccio)
Hamachi Crudo (Yellowtail Carpaccio)
Hamachi Crudo is a flavor-packed yellowtail sashimi appetizer dressed with a citrusy yuzu ponzu sauce and topped with fresh jalapeño and ikura,. The result is a bright and robustly flavored dish that comes together in under 30 minutes and is guaranteed to impress.
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15. Ikura Donburi
Ikura Donburi
Ikura Donburi is a deliciously decadent rice bowl featuring marinated ikura (salmon roe) and fragrant shiso on a bed of Japanese white rice. Serve it with wasabi to make it extra spicy and top it with crunchy nori for extra flavor!
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16. Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread with Miso is a moist and cheesy side with a ton of umami flavor. The honey adds sweetness while the Jalapeño adds spice. Bake it while you prepare your dinner then enjoy it fresh out the oven!
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17. Broiled Salmon Collars
Broiled Salmon Collars
Broiled Salmon Collars, also known as sake kama, is a succulent, tender fish dish served at many Japanese restaurants. With our recipe, you can make this restaurant quality dish at home in less than 20 minutes. Enjoy it with another delicious protein like our teriyaki chicken for a protein packed meal.
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18. Teriyaki Tofu & Eggplant
Teriyaki Tofu & Eggplant
Teriyaki Tofu and Eggplant is a flavor-rich dish featuring crispy tofu and tender eggplant smothered in a homemade teriyaki sauce. Make this nutritious side in a few easy steps in just 30 minutes!
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19. Ebi Tempura (Crispy Japanese Shrimp Tempura)
Ebi Tempura
Ebi Tempura is a crispy and delicious Japanese dish. It features juicy shrimp dipped in a tempura batter and fried until crispy and golden. It is surprisingly easy to make and is a great side for any Japanese meal. Add it to udon or ramen or serve it with tentsuyu, a tempura dipping sauce.
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20. Tobiko Gunkan Sushi (with Quail Egg)
Tobiko Gunkan Sushi
Tobiko Gunkan is a decadent sushi dish featuring seasoned sushi rice wrapped in a strip of nori and topped with tobiko and a quail egg. This high-quality sushi comes together in minutes and will wow your friends and family at your next sushi night at home!
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21. Miso Salmon Crudo (Carpaccio)
Miso Salmon Crudo
Miso Salmon Crudo is a decadent yet surprisingly light side featuring fresh salmon dressed in miso-shoyu sauce. The buttery salmon is topped with sesame seeds, micro greens, scallions, and ikura for extra texture and flavor. The best part? It takes just 10 minutes of prep.
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22. Spicy Tuna Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Spicy Tuna Onigiri
Spicy Tuna Onigiri are Japanese rice balls that are the perfect satisfying side. Japanese sticky rice is stuffed with spicy Kewpie mayo tuna and wrapped in savory nori. Check out our easy steps to assemble a batch to enjoy with your Japanese dinner.
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22 Japanese Side Dishes (Vegetables, Sushi, and More)
Servings: 4
Calories: 78kcal
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the oil - First, add oil to a medium skillet on medium heat.2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Toss the Shishito peppers - Once the oil gets hot, but does not smoke or burn, add the peppers and toss in the oil. Then, allow the Shishito peppers to cook in a single layer until they blister, occasionally turning the peppers over with tongs.8 oz shishito peppers
- Add the garlic - After 5 to 7 minutes, add the minced garlic and toss until the peppers are evenly coated with the garlicky oil. Continue to cook the peppers until the garlic becomes fragrant, or for about 2-3 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.2 cloves garlic
- Squeeze lemon juice on Shishito peppers and season - For a final touch, add a squeeze of lemon juice, the furikake, and salt to taste. Toss the blistered shishitos in this mixture until evenly coated and serve.½ lemon, 2 tablespoon furikake, Kosher salt to taste
Nutrition
Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 343IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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