Take a trip to Tokyo with these easy Japanese salad recipes! From traditional recipes like sunomono – to Japanese steakhouse favorites like carrot ginger dressing, I’ll show you how to make some of the most popular and delicious salads from Japan!
Japanese Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing (Restaurant Style)
This is that iconic salad dressing you’ll find served at hibachi joints, sushi restaurants and Japanese-American steakhouses.
Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Light and refreshing – sour and briny. This cucumber and wakame salad is tossed in a simple vinegar and soy sauce based dressing.
Goma-ae (Gomae) Japanese Spinach Salad With Sesame Sauce
My mom used to make this sesame seed loaded Japanese side dish all the time. Therefore, when I think of spinach, I think of horenso goma-ae.
Hijiki Salad (Hijiki No Mono)
Hijiki seaweed is thin and short and black in color. Since it doesn’t have much flavor on its own, hijiki is typically simmered in a sauce that introduces flavor.
Seaweed Salad (Kaisou Salada)
Do you like it tart? Well, this seaweed salad is pucker worthy. This was actually my favorite salad as a kid. Make this vegan salad anytime you’re needing a true taste of Japan.
Japanese Sesame Dressing (Restaurant Style)
This Japanese salad dressing is nutty, creamy, slightly sweet and loaded with umami. Whether from a bottle or homemade, sesame dressing is typically a simple mixture of toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, rice vinegar, sugar and salt.
Japanese Egg Salad
If I had to choose a favorite sandwich of all time, it would probably be the Japanese egg salad sandwich. The secret is the Kewpie style mayo.
Kani Salad – Japanese Crab Salad
This kani salad is light yet creamy, sweet yet salty – tastes complex yet is ready in 10 minutes from start to finish.
Japanese Watercress Salad (クレソン サラダ)
My favorite way to eat this vitamin K loaded leafy green is to quickly blanch it and then dress it with a simple combination of rice vinegar, peanut butter, soy sauce and mirin.
Japanese Coleslaw (Japanese Cabbage Salad)
Of the many Japanese variations on cabbage salad, this one packs a real punch. And don’t worry if you’re in a hurry! While you can shred cabbage and carrots, you can totally use a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix from the grocery store.
Japanese Caprese Salad
Wait, what makes this classic Italian salad Japanese? Answer: the Japanese onion vinaigrette. It’s sweet, umami and slightly pungent – and it pairs so nicely with vine fresh tomatoes and mozarella.
Hiyashi Chuka (Chilled Ramen Salad)
Mixing salad and cold ramen noodles is about as playful as Japanese salads get. And it’s the most refreshing of light lunches that still manage to fill you up in the process.
Japanese Bagna Cauda
A Rubik’s cube of veggies dipped in a heady, creamy mixture of garlic, olive oil, anchovies and cream is sure to impress at your next dinner party – no matter where you live.