Top 10 Best Japanese Cookbooks Reviews 2021
Japanese cuisine encompasses a wide range of ingredients. The number of ingredients used in different Japanese foods varies. However, most Japanese use rice as the center or main dish. Even, they focus on using seasonal produce. Even, a lot of fermented foods like soy sauce, natto, and miso are used in Japanese Cuisine. The habits and rituals followed by people in Japan are part of the unique heritage followed by them.
Why Is Japanese Food So Popular?
Japanese cuisine is highly popular because it has adopted a lot to the American/Western taste. This has happened by giving some junk-food twist to some Japanese dishes with sweet sauces, lots of kewpie mayonnaise, and crunch tempura flakes to name a few. In fact, some dishes from Japan have not turned into American junk foods with Japanese ingredients.
Is Japanese Cooking Healthy?
Yes, traditional Japanese food will be well-balanced. The reason is that most dishes from this country feature fish as against red meat as an ingredient. Also, the dishes use plenty of fermented, pickled, and vegetable foods along with a small portion of rice. Also, it encompasses little of highly processed foods and lesser overall sugar intake. In short, most Japanese recipes are low in calories along with high nutritional content.
How to Learn Japanese Recipes?
Not just a single Japanese recipe, you will learn a lot of recipes when you choose the right Japanese cookbook. With many cookbooks available in the market, you might be wondering how to choose the right one. To help you, we have shortlisted some books for you:
Our Top Pick’s Japanese Cookbooks
#1 Japanese Home Cooking: Simple Meals, Authentic Flavors
This Japanese cookbook from author Sonoko Sakai has a collection of simple Japanese recipes with an authentic and traditional Japanese flavor. The author has shared not just cooking techniques, but also a clear list of ingredients for more than 100 Japanese recipes in this cookbook.
The author of this book has used seasonal ingredients and she has shared simple preparation techniques to help anybody interested in Japanese cuisine to try different traditional dishes.
The author of this cookbook has shared some fundamental Japanese recipes like pickles and dashi. Also, she has taught how to prepare these dishes using traditional Japanese cooking techniques. You will learn how to make traditional Japanese noodles and how to properly cook rice from this book. You will learn how to cook many everyday recipes like Japanese Chicken Curry and Grilled Onigiri.
Many readers declared that this book is the ultimate anthology for Japanese home cooking. Even, some of them stated that this book is the go-to authority for Japanese cuisine.
#2 Japanese Soul Cooking
This Japanese cookbook has been created by two authors together. They are Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat. You will learn many recipes that are served in the streets and kitchens of Tokyo and beyond from this book.
This book with a collection of more than 100 recipes introduces Japanese comfort food to American home cooks. The authors have shared not just recipes and ingredients, they have also shared some cooking techniques and details of the origin of some of the popular Japanese dishes like tempura and gyoza.
The authors of this book introduce irresistible homestyle cooking to you through this cookbook. You will get the chance to learn some traditional Japanese favorites like tempura, Udon, and Soba from this cookbook. Even, you will learn some lesser-known Japanese classical dishes like miso meat sauce from this cookbook.
Many readers observed that this book has a collection of delicious, doable, and simple Japanese dishes. It is a wonderful resource to learn some great-tasting Japanese dishes that claim many readers. Also, some readers felt that this is a must-have book for Japanese cooking as it covers all the necessities and even some lesser-known dishes.
#3 Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking
This Japanese Cookbook from Masaharu Morimoto has helped many readers master the art of Japanese Home Cooking. The author of this book is referred to as a revered iron chef for his great cooking experience.
The author of this book being a chef has featured some carefully curated selection of great-tasting recipes with more than 150 color photos that will make your cooking even more interesting.
The author of this book has revealed the magic of authentic Japanese Cooking in this Japanese cookbook. Many people, who have read the books from this author very well know that he gives even little details about the ingredients and cooking method. You will learn the right ratio of ingredients for every Japanese food recipe that the author has shared in this book. In turn, your cooking will become easier.
Many people, who have read this book remarked that this book shared fantastic photos of dishes along with clear instructions on the process and finished product. Also, some readers shared that this book helped them to a great extent in the process of learning some Japanese recipes.
#4 Japan: The Cookbook
This Japanese cookbook from the author Nancy Singleton Hachisu has a collection of definitive home cooking recipes.
The creator of this book is an acclaimed food writer. The author has organized the regional and iconic traditions of Japan and has posted these details in the cookbook.
The author in addition to sharing great-tasting recipes from Japan has also posted insightful notes alongside each Japanese recipe that she has shared in this book. You will learn to prepare different types of noodles, soups, pickles, rice and one-pots from this cookbook.
This book is stated to be the right choice by many readers for those looking for a gateway into Japanese cuisine. Some readers also stated that if Japanese cooking is a thing that creates a lot of curiosity in you, this book will quench your thirst for sure.
#5 Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art
It will not be an overstatement to say that this book from author Shizuo Tsuji has changed how the world viewed Japanese cuisine when it was initially introduced. After 25 years many things have changed and you will get the updated recipes from the latest version now.
Now, this book is offered as the 25th Anniversary edition of this Japanese cookbook. The book has more than 230 traditional recipes. Most importantly, you will learn these recipes as they are without any western influence.
Apart from traditional recipes for the famous traditional Japanese dishes, the author of this book has also given a detailed explanation of cultural aspects, techniques, kitchen utensils, and ingredients of Japanese Cuisine. As the author desires to bring the legacy of Japanese kitchen within the reach of western cooks, you will learn traditional Japanese recipes with clear instructions from this cookbook.
Many readers have expressed that the author of this book is a great writer as she has given each Japanese food as a story of ingredients. This feature of this book makes it the most lovable cookbook for many years now.
#6 Tokyo Cult Recipes
Many of us know that Tokyo is a food destination in Japan. The author of this cookbook Maori Murota has shared more than 100 dishes served in restaurants and prepared in homes in this gastronomic megacity.
The author knows that many people like you enjoy the cult-like recipes offered in Japanese restaurants. With the understanding that they fear to prepare them at their home, the author has shared these recipes in such a way that anybody can easily prepare those recipes in their homes.
The author of this book has been inspired by her memories of helping her mother prepare some great-tasting traditional Japanese recipes in her home. This inspiration that she has gained right from her childhood motivated her to create this book. She has provided concise and clear information on basic cooking techniques that will help you easily learn traditional Japanese recipes and particularly recipes that are served in Tokyo.
Many readers explained that this book is a good choice to learn standard Japanese recipes with more kicks. Many readers also appreciated the pictures shared in this cookbook that motivates them to try different recipes.
#7 Japanese Cooking Made Simple
This book from author Salinas Press has authentic recipes for sushi, bento, ramen, and more such recipes.
This book is from a New York Times Best-Selling Author. The author has shared that cooking different types of Japanese meals does not need a lot of guesswork, multiple cookbooks, and great efforts. So, the author has shared a lot of recipes in this single cookbook to help readers.
This cookbook will teach you more than 100 traditional Japanese recipes that are easy to follow. Most importantly, the author has shared foods with ingredients that you can easily gather from a grocery store near you. You will learn how to make bento and sushi boxes, a part of your meals with this cookbook.
Many readers have expressed that this book offers a great introduction to Japanese Cuisine. Also, some of them exclaimed that the recipes shared in this book are surprisingly authentic.
#8 Japanese Cookbook for Beginners
As the name of this book implies, this cookbook offers recipes that will help beginners learn Japanese recipes with ease. The book has been written by author Azusa Oda.
The author of this book has shared many recipes starting from everyday recipes like miso soup to takeout foods like ramen and much more. This book will help you master Japanese cooking with ease in your own kitchen.
This Japanese cookbook will teach you the basics by functioning as an introductory cookbook to Japanese cooking. The author has shared dozens of weeknight-friendly and quick foods full of flavor.
Many people have read this book. Some of them stated that this book offers the flavors of Japanese food without the huge fuss and prep. Also, many of them stated that the book offers easy to follow recipes that their family loved a lot.
#9 The Manga Cookbook
The Manga Cookbook from the Manga University Culinary Institute and Chihiro Hattori offers a collection of Japanese Bento Boxes and main dishes.
With the introduction that Japanese food is generally a part of many Japanese comics, this book is here to reveal what the characters of these comics eat. This book is offered as an illustrated step-by-step guide to preparing Japanese dishes easily.
You will learn how to prepare Japanese dishes that you can prepare with ingredients that are commonly found in Western Kitchen. You will learn to identify and make similar things you see in your lovely manga.
Many readers expressed this to be a cute and informative cookbook. Many of them accepted that cuteness is overloaded in this book along with being fun to read.
#10 The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches To Go
This Japanese cookbook from author Maikko Itoh has a collection of everyday Japanese recipes that you can prepare for lunch at your home.
The author knows that Bento fever has recently swept the western world to a great extent. In addition to cuteness concerning looks, Bento attracts people due to its economic value and healthy approach. So, the author has shared more than 25 attractive bento menus along with more than 150 recipes through this cookbook.
You will learn many bento recipes. Along with these recipes, the author has shared complete details about bento staples and bento-making equipment. Even, you will learn some basic cooking techniques from this cookbook.
Many readers of this book feel that this cookbook is perfect for anybody interested in Japanese Food. It is a helpful source of methods and ideas as shared by many readers.
Conclusion
Among these books, we feel that the “Japanese Cookbook For Beginners” is the best choice. The reason is that any person, who is new to Japanese cooking will find this book highly helpful.
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