Japanese cuisine is more than just food; it’s an ancient art, with carefully crafted dishes focusing on locally sourced ingredients and unique cooking techniques.
Slow down your pace and practice some patience in the kitchen to create masterpieces that are as beautiful as they are tasty.
Enjoy these brilliant recipes, and check out our Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese recipes next!
free 7-day vegan meal plan
Your next week of eating is planned out with these quick and delicious vegan bowls, meal prepping steps & full grocery list.
Tasty Vegan Japanese Recipes
Vegan Japanese Curry
Japanese curry is unique to itself. This flavorful and vitamin-rich dish includes chopped apple and carrot, giving it a sweet and wholesome flavor, while a load of spices and fresh ginger aids in its anti-inflammatory properties — so nourishing!
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Photo credit: makeitdairyfree.com
Onigirazu (Sushi Sandwich)
A blend between an American sandwich and Japanese sushi, onigirazu is the best way to enjoy abundant sushi flavor and fillings in one handheld portion! Easily customizable, these sushi sandwiches can become a fun and interactive dinner experience – bonus: no rolling skills needed.
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Photo credit: www.lazycatkitchen.com
Vegan Japanese Oyaki
Japanese oyaki is a handheld comfort pocket. Flakey dumplings are filled with savory vegetables and served hot — a wholesome meal to enjoy on the go and great for a crisp afternoon.
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Photo credit: myriadrecipes.com
Vegan Yaki Udon
Fill up on a satisfying bowl of yaki udon. Gorgeous thick and chewy noodles are tossed with vegetables and a sweet yet tangy sauce. Each serving will brighten your evening and leave a lingering smile on your well-nourished face.
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Photo credit: www.lazycatkitchen.com
Vegan Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream
Combine the strawberry patch with a fan-favorite mochi ice cream! Soft strawberry ice cream is wrapped in glutinous rice dough and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Pack your freezer full of this strawberry treat and enjoy!
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Photo credit: www.rainbownourishments.com
Vegan Katsu Sando
A fun fusion recipe, this katsu sando takes the iconic Japanese style schnitzel and pairs it between two slices of soft bread with cabbage and tonkatsu sauce! A delicious on-the-go friendly meal that takes only a few minutes to make.
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Teriyaki Tempeh
The most well-known Japanese sauce, teriyaki, is always a group favorite! This tempeh recipe showcases the sweet soy glaze and creates a meaty dish that vegans and carnivores alike will enjoy.
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Photo credit: theveganlarder.com
Vegan Beet Sushi
Skip the fishy sushi and opt for these fresh and tasty vegan rolls. Made from seasoned sushi rice, marinated beets, cucumber, and avocado, each tight roll is sliced into beautiful circular bites – a must-try sushi recipe!
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Photo credit: www.loveandlemons.com
Vegan Okonomiyaki
Try this Japanese savory pancake topped with veganaise, tomato glaze, and green onions! Fried until crispy, this veggie-loaded pancake is very filling and has a wonderful texture. A unique dish that's oh-so-comforting and gluten-free!
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Photo credit: fullofplants.com
Vegan Miso Soup
Using only one pot, quickly simmer a nourishing bowl of miso soup. Dotted with kelp, mushrooms, and tofu, it's an easy recipe that warms you from the inside out.
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Sesame Spiced Edamame
Are you searching for an inexpensive snack that's packed with protein? Frozen edamame quickly transforms into an oh-so-yummy dish that will curb your afternoon hunger. Enjoy with a dusting of sesame and spice!
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Photo credit: evergreenkitchen.ca
Miso Glazed Eggplants
Enjoy this custom miso glazed eggplant inspired by a traditional recipe called Nasu Dengaku. A tasty appetizer that takes only 15 minutes to prepare and is a gorgeous addition to the dinner table. Each eggplant is halved and scored, then glazed with an umami-rich miso sauce and sesame seeds – so delicious!
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Sesame Soba Noodles
As good as your favorite gourmet restaurant, this recipe is simple, easy to make, and meal-prep-friendly! A bowl of warm sesame soba noodles is kid-approved and made from staple, uncomplicated ingredients – enjoy!
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Vegan Tofu Purin
Custard is a dessert that is often overlooked in vegan cooking. However, this egg-free, dairy-free tofu purin is perfectly creamy and sweet! An ideal treat to finish off an excellent dinner – serve chilled.
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Photo credit: www.ellielikes.cooking
Japanese Agedashi Tofu
Enjoy silken tofu like you've never had before! Slices of the soft tofu are fried until crispy on the outside, then bathed in a delicate Japanese broth. Each bite is both flavorful and irresistibly textured.
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Vegetable Tempura
Fried food is always tasty, and Japanese-style tempura is among the best! A delicate tempura batter coats each vegetable before flash-frying into golden, flaky bites. The batter is so thin you can identify your beautiful rainbow of vegetables beneath the coating – so delicious!
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Hanami Dango
If you like chewy textures, this hanami dango is for you! A simple treat made from only three ingredients and easily customizable. These glutinous rice balls are sweet, gummy, and fun to eat – enjoy flavors like strawberry or matcha!
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Photo credit: www.okonomikitchen.com
Sesame Tantanmen Ramen
All ramen is not the same; this homemade creamy sesame noodle soup is superior to all the others. A thick and flavorful broth flavors the soft noodles and is accompanied by spicy tofu scramble and vegetables. It's a ramen that will surely impress!
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Photo credit: www.okonomikitchen.com
Vegan Matcha Nama Chocolate
Prepare a box of matcha nama chocolate to enjoy yourself or to gift to loved ones. Made from vegan white chocolate ganache and matcha powder, this treat was first created in 1995 by the Japanese company Royce and remains popular today!
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Photo credit: fullofplants.com
Vegan Sweet and Sour Meatballs
These meatballs are not mushy and hold together, mimicking the taste and texture of traditional nikudango. A combination of high-protein, high-quality ingredients is the secret to this perfectly crafted recipe – umami-rich, a must-try!
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Photo credit: www.ellielikes.cooking
Related Recipes
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Explore the tasty world of Japanese cooking with these carefully selected vegan Japanese recipes. There is a dish to get excited about with sushi, tempura, curry, and more!
Serves 4
Ingredients
Japanese Cucumber Salad
- 2 medium Japanese or English cucumbers
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons wakame seaweed
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds topping
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Wash the cucumbers and slice them as thinly as possible using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer.
- Place the slices in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for about 5-10 minutes. This process helps draw out excess water, ensuring a crunchier texture in the salad.
- If you're using dried wakame, soak it in warm water for about 5-10 minutes or until it's fully rehydrated. Drain well and gently squeeze out excess water. If you're using fresh or pre-rehydrated wakame, simply measure and prepare it for the salad.
- Make the dressing by whisking together rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Adjust to taste preferences.
- Gently squeeze the cucumber slices to remove and remaining water, then transfer them to a salad bowl.
- Add the wakame and pour the dressing over everything. Gently toss to ensure the cucumber and wakame are well coated. Let the salad sit for 5 minutes to marinate.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can omit the sesame oil in the dressing if wanted.
- This salad pairs well with sushi, teriyaki tofu, rice, or tempura.
- Find 20 more vegan Japanese recipes in the article above!
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Alena Schowalter is a Certified Vegan Nutritionist who has been a vegetarian since childhood and vegan since 2012. Together with her husband, she founded nutriciously in 2015 and has been guiding thousands of people through different transition stages towards a healthy plant-based diet. She’s received training in the fields of nutrition, music therapy and social work. Alena enjoys discussions around vegan ethics, walks through nature and creating new recipes.
Explore the tasty world of Japanese cooking with these carefully selected vegan Japanese recipes. There is a dish to get excited about with sushi, tempura, curry, and more!