Easy Japanese Party Recipes

Thinking of serving Japanese recipes at your upcoming party? We have you covered! From appetizers to main dishes to desserts, here are some of my favorites to make and serve for a crowd.

I’ve received numerous requests from readers for popular yet easy Japanese recipes to serve at a party. While there are many choices and theme ideas to choose from, I’ve assembled a collection of recipes that are ideal for feeding a crowd.

• These are crowd-pleasing dishes that almost everyone loves.
• Most of the dishes can be made ahead, so you just need to reheat and serve before the party.
• Some menu ideas, such as hot pots and BBQs, involve prepping the ingredients beforehand, and you’ll have all of your guests cook the food together. The main goal is to create an intimate setting for everyone to enjoy the food and each other’s company.

Trust me, these delicious recipes will not only leave your guests satisfied but also create memorable moments that you share at the table.

Appetizers (Soups + Salads + Sides)

Edamame

Sautéed with chili paste, garlic, and miso, these ‘spiced up’ edamame will get everyone talking! If there are kids around, you can serve regular edamame sprinkled with sea salt. Prep them ahead and reheat them when the guests arrive.

Japanese Salads

Salads make a great refresher to any party menu. Here are my most popular salad recipes for you to choose from!

Miso Soups

If you’re serving a more traditional spread of Japanese dishes at the party, you’ll need to start with miso soup! In addition to the wakame tofu version, you can try other combinations that will surprise and impress your guests. Check out my collection of miso soups!

Gyoza

Everybody loves gyoza, so you can’t go wrong serving these juicy, pan-fried dumplings at a party. When you make gyoza, make a big batch to freeze. Then, reheat them in the pan on the day of the party. Here are a few gyoza recipes:

• Classic Gyoza Recipe
• Vegetable Gyoza (Vegan/Vegetarian)
• Gyoza with Miso Dipping Sauce

Corn Rice

You can use fresh sweet corn or canned corn to make this easy, extremely flavorful rice dish! It goes well with many grilled dishes.

Japanese Garlic Fried Rice

Aromatic fried rice with crunchy garlic chips will be a crowd favorite. It’s also easy to pair with any protein, whether grilled meat, seafood like grilled shrimp, or tofu. To make things easier, cook it the night before and reheat it before serving.

Onigiri (Rice Balls)

Onigiri can be a little more labor-intensive, but you can throw a rice ball party and have everyone make their own with various fillings. To serve these as an appetizer, I recommend making them a few hours ahead of time.

Japanese Scallion Pancake (Negiyaki)

I love serving dishes with a good story, and this Japanese Scallop Pancake comes with one. You can also test your guests’ knowledge of Japanese pancakes by asking them to name the different types available!

Main

Teba Shio (Salted Chicken Wings)

These juicy and crispy Japanese Salted Chicken Wings (Teba Shio) are a popular item at izakaya restaurants. They are unbelievably easy to make and require less than 5 ingredients!

Yakitori (Japanese Chicken Skewers)

No one can resist perfectly grilled chicken brushed with a savory, caramelized sauce. Because it is skewered, it makes a fun party food. It’s easy to make at home, and you can grill it outdoors or under the broiler.

You can also prepare Yakitori-Style Grilled Vegetables for guests who are vegetarian or vegan.

Sushi

Serving sushi at a Japanese-themed party is not the newest idea, but I know everyone (especially your guests) will not say no to any sushi you serve. Want to change things up a little? How about making a different style of sushi that you haven’t tried before? Here’s a collection of sushi recipes for you to choose from!

Japanese Curry

Going for home-style dishes to serve during the chillier months? You might want to consider Japanese Curry (or Kare Rice) for the menu. Here, we have tender pieces of chicken, carrots, and potatoes cooked in a rich, savory curry sauce; it will bring so much warmth and comfort to everyone at the table. Yes, you can make it ahead of time before the party.

Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ)

This is how we do a BBQ in Japan! With platters of well-marbled beef, fresh-sliced veggies, and mushrooms around the grill, everyone cooks and enjoys the deliciously charred pieces by dipping them in a sweet-and-savory sauce.

Ramen Recipes

If you tell your guests that you’ll be serving ramen at the party, I believe most of them will be jumping for joy. There are so many styles of ramen you can serve. Go ahead and make the broths and some of the toppings in advance. This will help streamline the cooking before the guests arrive.

Cold Somen

Cold somen is quintessential to Japanese summer, so I enjoy serving this dish to parties of 4 to 8 people. It’s lovely when served with a variety of seasonal produce, such as okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, shiso leaves, or grilled mushrooms and tofu.

Takoyaki

Instead of a full meal, you can also go with the route of serving small bites at your party. They will bring a more casual and fun vibe to the room. I recommend Takoyaki, as these grilled octopus balls are one of the iconic Japanese street foods that will remind you of good times in Japan.

Don’t like octopus? There are other creative fillings you can try. My post has all the delicious ideas you can explore as well.

Teppanyaki

With an electric griddle at the table and fresh vegetables and proteins of your choice, you can easily enjoy the fun of indoor grilling anytime.

Hambagu (Japanese Hamburger Steak)

Instead of regular hamburgers, try this Japanese-style hamburger steak recipe! The meat patties are commonly made from a blend of minced beef and other ingredients, so the texture is guaranteed moist and juicy.

Mentaiko Pasta

Sometimes, crafting a simple yet elegant menu can be truly memorable. Start with the classic Mentaiko Pasta as your main dish, and choose a simple salad from this list, along with a side dish or miso soup (totally optional). A bottle of wine, some bubbly, and a Japanese dessert (homemade or store-bought) will round things up nicely.

Shabu Shabu

SShabu Shabu is one of the most popular dishes to serve for a group during the winter months. It requires simple, customizable ingredients and equipment to pull together a great meal.

More Hot Pots

Besides shabu shabu, I have a delicious collection of hotpot dishes you can keep in your back pocket for end-of-the-end parties. Follow this ultimate hot pot guide, and have fun creating these winter cozy meals at home!

Desserts + Drinks

Popular Japanese Desserts

It’s too difficult for me to recommend just a few desserts for your party, so here’s a list for you to choose from! From cottony Japanese cheesecake to buttery matcha cookies to velvety nama chocolate, you’ll always have a few favorite standbys for various occasions.

Green Tea

We often enjoy Japanese meals with Japanese green tea. Here’s the proper technique for brewing different types of Japanese green tea. I’ll show you how to use quality loose tea leaves to extract the best flavor at the right water temperature and brew time.

Matcha Ice Cream

Imagine your guests’ reaction when you serve homemade Matcha Ice Cream for dessert at your party! Everyone will be impressed. This is the perfect dessert to make if you have an ice cream maker at home.

Japanese Beer

Beer is often the beverage of choice for many of the menus I listed above. We have a comprehensive guide to Japanese beer for your reference. Although you might not be able to find all the brands outside of Japan, you can check with your local liquor stores to see if they carry any popular ones.