Japanese cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients, delicate flavors, and beautiful presentation.
Fridays are perfect for trying something new and enjoying a culinary adventure at home.
These 15 Friday Japanese recipes feature sushi, ramen, teriyaki dishes, and traditional appetizers that are easy to prepare.
From quick weekday meals to elaborate weekend dinners, there’s a recipe for every craving.
Perfect for family meals, casual dinners, or entertaining guests, these recipes combine authenticity and simplicity.
Celebrate Friday with delicious, flavorful, and satisfying Japanese-inspired dishes that everyone will love!
15 Delicious Friday Japanese Recipes to Try
With these 15 Friday Japanese recipes, you can bring the flavors of Japan to your kitchen.
Each recipe balances fresh ingredients, traditional seasonings, and satisfying textures for an authentic experience.
From sushi rolls and miso soup to teriyaki chicken and vegetable stir-fries, there’s something for every taste.
Perfect for Friday dinners, family meals, or hosting friends, these recipes make Japanese cooking accessible and fun.
So, gather your ingredients, prepare your knives, and explore Japanese cuisine.
Enjoy flavorful, authentic, and memorable Friday meals at home!
Miso Soup with Tofu and Wakame
This classic Japanese miso soup is a light, savory dish featuring silken tofu, wakame seaweed, and scallions in a rich miso broth.
It’s warm, comforting, and packed with umami flavor, perfect for a Friday evening starter or light meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dashi or vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons miso paste
- ½ block silken tofu, cubed
- 2 tablespoons dried wakame seaweed
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
Instructions:
- Heat broth in a pot over medium heat until simmering.
- Stir in miso paste until fully dissolved.
- Add tofu cubes and rehydrated wakame seaweed.
- Simmer 2–3 minutes without boiling.
- Garnish with scallions and serve warm.
This miso soup is savory, light, and comforting.
It’s perfect for a traditional Japanese Friday meal.
Every sip delivers rich umami with tender tofu beautifully.
Teriyaki Glazed Salmon
This Japanese-inspired dish features salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.
It’s tender, flavorful, and perfect for a Friday dinner served with rice or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon sake
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar.
- Simmer until slightly thickened to form teriyaki sauce.
- Heat a skillet and cook salmon, skin side down first, until golden.
- Brush with teriyaki sauce and cook 2–3 more minutes per side.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
This salmon is tender, flavorful, and glazed beautifully.
It’s perfect for a Japanese-inspired Friday dinner.
Every bite delivers sweet and savory teriyaki goodness beautifully.
Vegetable Tempura
This Japanese dish features a crispy assortment of lightly battered vegetables, deep-fried to golden perfection.
It’s crunchy, flavorful, and perfect for a Friday appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup ice-cold water
- 1 egg
- Assorted vegetables: sweet potato, zucchini, bell pepper, mushrooms
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Tempura dipping sauce
Instructions:
- Mix flour, ice-cold water, and egg to make a light batter.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Dip vegetables in batter and fry until golden and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels and serve with dipping sauce.
This tempura is light, crispy, and flavorful.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday appetizer.
Every bite delivers crunchy vegetables with a delicate batter beautifully.
Chicken Katsu with Tonkatsu Sauce
This classic Japanese fried chicken features panko-breaded chicken cutlets served with savory tonkatsu sauce.
It’s crispy, juicy, and perfect for a hearty Friday dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- ½ cup flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Tonkatsu sauce for serving
Instructions:
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness.
- Dredge in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a skillet and fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels and slice.
- Serve with tonkatsu sauce.
This chicken is crispy, juicy, and flavorful.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dinner.
Every bite delivers crunchy panko with tender chicken beautifully.
Sushi Rice Bowl with Avocado and Pickled Vegetables
This Japanese-inspired rice bowl combines seasoned sushi rice, avocado, pickled vegetables, and sesame seeds for a light, flavorful meal.
It’s fresh, colorful, and perfect for a Friday lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sushi rice, cooked and seasoned
- ½ avocado, sliced
- ½ cup pickled vegetables (carrots, daikon, cucumber)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Soy sauce for drizzling
Instructions:
- Prepare sushi rice and season with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.
- Layer rice in a bowl and top with avocado slices and pickled vegetables.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and drizzle soy sauce.
- Serve immediately.
This rice bowl is fresh, colorful, and flavorful.
It’s perfect for a light Japanese Friday meal.
Every bite delivers creamy avocado with tangy pickled vegetables beautifully.
Tonkotsu Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms
This Friday Japanese recipe features rich, creamy tonkotsu-style ramen broth with tender shiitake mushrooms, noodles, and scallions.
It’s savory, comforting, and perfect for a cozy, flavorful meal to end the week.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups vegetable or pork broth
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 2 servings ramen noodles
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 scallions, sliced
Instructions:
- Heat broth in a pot and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add sliced mushrooms and cook until tender.
- Cook ramen noodles according to package instructions and drain.
- Divide noodles into bowls and pour hot broth with mushrooms over them.
- Drizzle sesame oil, soy sauce, and garnish with scallions.
This ramen is creamy, savory, and satisfying.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dinner.
Every bite delivers tender noodles with flavorful broth beautifully.
Yakitori Chicken Skewers
These grilled Japanese chicken skewers are marinated in a sweet-savory sauce and cooked to perfection.
They’re smoky, juicy, and ideal for a Friday dinner or appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon sake
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Bamboo skewers, soaked in water
Instructions:
- Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar to make a marinade.
- Marinate chicken cubes for 30 minutes.
- Thread chicken onto skewers and grill over medium heat, turning occasionally, until cooked through.
- Brush with remaining marinade during grilling.
- Serve hot.
These skewers are juicy, flavorful, and tender.
They’re perfect for a Japanese Friday dinner or appetizer.
Every bite delivers smoky, sweet-marinated chicken beautifully.
Gyoza with Dipping Sauce
These Japanese dumplings feature a delicate wrapper filled with seasoned vegetables and tofu, pan-fried to crispy perfection.
They’re light, savory, and perfect for a Friday appetizer or main.
Ingredients:
- 20 gyoza wrappers
- ½ cup finely chopped cabbage
- ¼ cup grated carrot
- ¼ cup crumbled tofu
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying
- Dipping sauce: soy sauce and rice vinegar
Instructions:
- Mix cabbage, carrot, tofu, soy sauce, and sesame oil for filling.
- Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper, fold and seal.
- Heat oil in a skillet and fry gyoza until bottoms are golden.
- Add ¼ cup water and cover, steaming for 3–4 minutes.
- Serve with dipping sauce.
These gyoza are crispy, savory, and delicious.
They’re perfect for a Japanese Friday appetizer.
Every bite delivers tender, flavorful filling with a crispy wrapper beautifully.
Udon Noodle Stir-Fry with Vegetables
This Friday Japanese recipe features thick udon noodles stir-fried with colorful vegetables and a light soy-ginger sauce.
It’s hearty, savory, and perfect for a quick yet satisfying dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 servings udon noodles
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions:
- Cook udon noodles according to package instructions and drain.
- Heat sesame oil in a skillet and sauté ginger briefly.
- Add vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp.
- Toss in cooked noodles and soy sauce, cooking 2–3 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
This stir-fry is hearty, flavorful, and satisfying.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dinner.
Every bite delivers tender noodles with crisp, vibrant vegetables beautifully.
Matcha Green Tea Mochi
This Japanese dessert features chewy mochi infused with earthy matcha green tea, perfect for a sweet Friday treat.
It’s light, subtly sweet, and packed with traditional Japanese flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mochiko (sweet rice flour)
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- Cornstarch for dusting
Instructions:
- Mix mochiko, sugar, matcha powder, and water to form a smooth batter.
- Steam the mixture for 15–20 minutes until set.
- Dust a surface with cornstarch and transfer mochi.
- Cut into bite-sized pieces and dust lightly with cornstarch.
- Serve at room temperature.
This mochi is chewy, subtly sweet, and fragrant.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dessert.
Every bite delivers soft, matcha-infused goodness beautifully.
Salmon Nigiri Sushi
This traditional Japanese recipe features slices of fresh salmon atop seasoned sushi rice, drizzled with a touch of soy sauce.
It’s delicate, flavorful, and perfect for a Friday dinner or sushi night at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sushi rice, cooked and seasoned
- 4–6 slices fresh salmon
- Wasabi (optional)
- Soy sauce for serving
Instructions:
- Wet hands and shape small portions of sushi rice into oval mounds.
- Place a slice of salmon atop each rice mound.
- Optionally, add a small dab of wasabi between rice and salmon.
- Serve immediately with soy sauce.
This nigiri is fresh, tender, and flavorful.
It’s perfect for an elegant Japanese Friday meal.
Every bite delivers buttery salmon with perfectly seasoned rice beautifully.
Miso-Glazed Eggplant (Nasu Dengaku)
This Friday Japanese dish features roasted eggplant brushed with a sweet miso glaze, creating a savory-sweet treat.
It’s tender, flavorful, and works perfectly as a side or appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium eggplants, halved
- 2 tablespoons miso paste
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Score eggplant flesh and roast cut-side up for 15 minutes.
- Mix miso paste, mirin, sugar, and soy sauce to make glaze.
- Brush glaze over roasted eggplants and broil 2–3 minutes until caramelized.
- Serve warm.
This eggplant is tender, savory, and slightly sweet.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dinner or side.
Every bite delivers rich miso flavor with soft roasted eggplant beautifully.
Chicken Teriyaki Donburi
This Japanese rice bowl features juicy chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce over steamed rice and vegetables.
It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a satisfying Friday meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken thighs, boneless
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots)
Instructions:
- Combine soy sauce, mirin, and sugar to make teriyaki sauce.
- Cook chicken in a skillet, brushing with sauce until glazed and cooked through.
- Serve chicken over rice with steamed vegetables.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
This donburi is hearty, savory, and satisfying.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dinner.
Every bite delivers tender chicken with sweet-savory glaze beautifully.
Tonkatsu Ramen Bowl
This Japanese ramen features crispy breaded pork cutlets served over noodles in a savory broth with vegetables.
It’s comforting, flavorful, and ideal for a Friday dinner treat.
Ingredients:
- 2 pork cutlets
- ½ cup flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 servings ramen noodles
- 4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
- Steamed vegetables (bok choy, carrots)
- Tonkatsu sauce
Instructions:
- Bread pork cutlets by dredging in flour, egg, and panko.
- Fry cutlets until golden and crispy.
- Cook ramen noodles and place in bowls with hot broth.
- Slice pork cutlets and place on top with vegetables.
- Drizzle tonkatsu sauce and serve.
This ramen is hearty, crispy, and savory.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dinner.
Every bite delivers crunchy pork with flavorful broth beautifully.
Matcha Ice Cream with Red Bean Topping
This Japanese dessert features creamy matcha green tea ice cream topped with sweet azuki red beans.
It’s refreshing, subtly sweet, and perfect for a Friday treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut milk or cream
- 2 teaspoons matcha powder
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup cooked sweetened red beans
Instructions:
- Mix coconut milk, matcha powder, and sugar until smooth.
- Chill and churn in an ice cream maker according to instructions.
- Serve scoops topped with sweet red beans.
This dessert is creamy, refreshing, and lightly sweet.
It’s perfect for a Japanese Friday dessert.
Every bite delivers earthy matcha with sweet red beans beautifully.
