Discover 15 delicious Japanese breakfast dishes! The traditional “ichiju sansai” meal format includes rice, soup, and three side dishes. Stay at a Japanese-style hotel and you’ll be served a giant breakfast of rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and other sides. But there are also plenty of quick and easy breakfast options available.
Check out our list of traditional and modern Japanese breakfast ideas!
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1. Tamago kake gohan (TKG)
Tamago Kake Gohan is a simple dish made of rice, raw egg, and toppings. One of my favorite Japanese breakfasts of all time.
In this post, I teach you about the history of this classic Japanese breakfast dish, how to make it, and 15 of the best toppings!
Tamago Kake Gohan (TKG Japanese Egg on Rice)
Tamago Kake Gohan is a simple dish made of rice, egg and toppings. Here I'm going to teach you all about this classic Japanese breakfast dish including the history, how to make it and 15 of the best toppings!
Check out this recipe →
2. Natto
Love it or hate it, there are so many ways to enjoy fermented soybeans called “natto“. From how to eat it to popular brands and delicious toppings, in this post, I cover everything you need to know about this traditional Japanese superfood!
I love natto, and I cannot live without it. I even eat natto almost every day. In this post, you get to know how to eat it, different variations, and a whole range of topping ideas!
Natto Gohan (Japanese Fermented Soybeans on Rice)
Love it or hate it, there are so many ways to enjoy fermented soybeans called "natto". From how to eat it to popular brands and delicious toppings, here I'm going to teach you everything you need to know about this traditional Japanese superfood!
Check out this recipe →
3. Authentic Homemade Japanese Miso Soup
Miso soup is a traditional soup dish made with dashi stock, soybean paste, and a range of ingredients that vary from region to region. It’s delicious and warming and makes the perfect side for any Japanese meal.
It’s one of the essential parts of Japanese breakfast. My grandmother has miso soup every morning. One of the beauties of miso soup is that you can mix it up by using different vegetables or even different kinds of miso paste. It’s a comforting way to start the day.
There are also recipes for mushroom miso soup!
Authentic Homemade Japanese Miso Soup
Making authentic Japanese miso soup is surprisingly easy! This recipe will show you how to make your own homemade dashi stock and customize your miso soup using local vegetables and different kinds of miso paste!
Check out this recipe →
4. Homemade Miso Soup with Ginger (Vegan)
Can miso soup be vegetarian/vegen friendly? Sure it can!
This easy and delicious plant-based miso soup is made with umami-rich kombu and shiitake dashi and then flavored with certified vegan awase miso paste and fragrant ginger. It’s warming, comforting, and can be enjoyed by almost anyone!
Ginger Miso Soup (Plant-based)
This easy and delicious miso soup is made with umami-rich kombu and shiitake dashi and then flavored with awase miso paste and fragrant ginger. It's warming, comforting and vegan friendly!
Check out this recipe →
5. Kenchin Jiru (Traditional Japanese Vegetable Soup)
Want soup other than miso soup? Then you can try this traditional vegetable soup with a longer history than miso soup!
Kenchin Jiru is a filling and nutritious soup with tofu and various vegetables served in a soy sauce-flavored dashi broth. This traditional dish has roots in Buddhism, and it’s suitable for vegans too!
Kenchin Jiru (Traditional Japanese Vegetable Soup)
Kenshin Jiru is a filling and nutritious soup made with a variety of vegetables served in a soy sauce-flavored dashi broth. This traditional dish is rooted in Buddhism and is suitable for vegans too!
Check out this recipe →
6. Tonjiru (Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup)
Looking for something more meaty than normal miso soup? Then try tonjiru instead!
Tonjiru is the ultimate miso soup packed with tender pork belly and a tonne of extra veggies to make it more filling and delicious! You’ve gotta try this warming home-style dish one morning!
Tonjiru (Butajiru) Japanese Pork Miso Soup
Tonjiru is a warming Japanese home-style dish made with tender pork belly and a variety of vegetables served in a rich miso soup. It's the ultimate comfort dish that will leave you wanting more!
Check out this recipe →
7. Japanese Egg Drop Soup (Kakitamajiru)
Kakitamajiru is a clear Japanese soup made with fluffy egg ribbons, served in a delicious homemade dashi broth and seasoned with soy sauce and salt.
It’s a simple dish that is both light and packed with umami. Best of all, it’s easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.
Japanese Egg Drop Soup (Kakitamajiru)
Kakitamajiru is a clear Japanese soup made with fluffy ribbons of egg, served in a delicious homemade dashi broth and seasoned with soy sauce and salt. It's a simple dish that is both light yet packed with umami. Best of all, it's easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.
Check out this recipe →
8. How to Make Japanese Rice (without a rice cooker)
As mentioned earlier, traditional Japanese breakfast always comes with freshly cooked rice. Japanese mums always set the timer on the rice cooker so that a fresh batch of rice is ready for tomorrow morning.
However, I know not everyone has a Japanese-style rice cooker, so I explain how to cook Japanese rice perfectly on the stove in this recipe. I also explain storing and reheating tips, ideal for mornings when you’re in a rush!
How to Cook Perfect Japanese Rice on the Stove
No rice cooker? No problem! With this fool-proof recipe, you can make delicious, fluffy, and sticky Japanese-style rice on the stove perfectly every time!
Check out this recipe →
9. Japanese Salted Salmon (Shiozake)
Japanese salted salmon is a classic breakfast dish, commonly served with rice and miso soup. Made with fresh salmon and seasoned simply with salt, the fact that you only need two ingredients almost makes this dish too good to be true!
Salmon is accessible anywhere in the world, so this is a great way to enjoy an authentic Japanese-style breakfast without special ingredients!
Shiozake (Japanese Salted Breakfast Salmon)
Japanese salted salmon is a classic breakfast dish, commonly served with rice and miso soup. Made with fresh salmon fillets and seasoned simply with salt, the fact that you only need two ingredients almost makes this dish too good to be true! Here, I will share all the tips to make it perfect every time.
Check out this recipe →
10. Saba no Shioyaki (Japanese-style Grilled Mackerel)
If you are looking for other grilled fish ideas for Japanese breakfast, mackerel is a great option!
Japanese-style grilled mackerel with crispy skin and tender flesh, seasoned simply with salt. This easy recipe allows you to enjoy this delicious fish to the fullest in practically no time!
Saba no Shioyaki (Japanese Style Grilled Mackerel)
Saba no Shioyaki is a simple yet delicious dish made with beautifully grilled mackerel fillets seasoned with salt. The perfectly crispy skin and tender flesh will allow you to enjoy the taste of fresh mackerel to the full!
Check out this recipe →
11. Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Rolled Omelette with Dashi)
Do you like having eggs in the morning? Then, you might want to consider this recipe and enjoy your eggs with a Japanese twist!
Dashimaki tamago is a delicious rolled omelet flavored with dashi stock, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, this iconic dish is the perfect addition to any breakfast! Leftovers can be used in bento boxes or as a side dish too.
Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Rolled Omelette with Dashi)
Delicious and tender Dashimaki Tamago is an iconic dish that makes a perfect side or snack. This Japanese rolled omelette is flavored with dashi stock and Japanese condiments creating the ultimate umami bomb!
Check out this recipe →
12. Simple Shio Onigiri (Salted Japanese Rice Ball)
You cannot avoid rice balls if you want the simplest and easiest Japanese breakfast. This is still our favorite fast breakfast to this day.
Shio onigiri is a basic rice ball made with sticky Japanese rice, salt, and crispy nori. Despite its simplicity, it’s filling, tasty and satisfying. It only requires 3 ingredients and is great for beginners!
Simple Shio Onigiri (Salted Japanese Rice Ball)
Shio onigiri is a basic rice ball made with sticky Japanese rice, salt and crispy nori. Despite its simplicity, it's filling, tasty and satisfying. It only requires 3 ingredients and is great for beginners!
Check out this recipe →
13. Salmon Onigiri Rice Balls
Fish and rice ball in one? In that case, try this salmon rice ball!
Delicious salmon flakes fried in butter and soy sauce and mixed with spring onion and sesame seeds make this rice ball one of my favorites!
Japanese Salmon Rice Balls (Sake Onigiri)
Discover how to make one of Japan's most popular rice ball options – onigiri with salmon! This rice ball is one of my favorites. I am confident that if you try this snack, you will love it too!
Check out this recipe →
14. Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls)
Did you know Japanese rice balls can be grilled too?
Yaki onigiri is delicious, crispy grilled Japanese rice balls brushed with miso and soy sauce and fried in butter. With just a few typical Japanese pantry items, you can whip up this tasty snack in no time! They’re perfect for bentos too!
Yaki Onigiri (Japanese Grilled Rice Balls)
Yaki onigiri are delicious, crispy grilled Japanese rice balls brushed with miso and soy sauce and fried in butter. With just a few typical Japanese pantry items, you can whip up this tasty snack in no time! They're perfect for bentos too!
Check out this recipe →
15. Lawson Style “Devil’s Onigiri” Rice Ball
You might wonder what on earth “devil’s onigiri” is. Devil in the food context is a modern Japanese term meaning “guilty pleasure”. Usually, something addictive falls into this category.
This Devil’s Onigiri is a recreation of a popular rice ball sold at the convenience store chain “Lawson”. It’s made with seasoned tempura bits and aonori. So simple yet so good!
Devil’s Onigiri Copycat Recipe (Lawson Akuma no Onigiri)
Looking for a quick lunch that is easy to make yet addictively delicious? This Devil's Onigiri is a recreation of a famous rice ball sold at the convenience store chain "Lawson." It's so simple, yet so good!
Check out this recipe →
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