10+ Just One Cookbook Recipes to Savor and Share

If you love exploring new flavors and easy cooking, Just One Cookbook is a fantastic resource. This blog offers a wide range of authentic Japanese recipes that are simple to follow, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced cooks.

You can find everything from quick meals to classic dishes that capture the essence of Japanese cuisine. With helpful tips and clear instructions, you’ll feel confident trying out these delicious recipes in your own kitchen.

1) Soy Glazed Eggplant Donburi

Soy Glazed Eggplant Donburi is a flavorful dish that highlights the rich taste of eggplant. The eggplant is seared until golden and coated in a sweet and salty soy sauce. It’s simple to prepare and pairs perfectly with hot rice.

You’ll find this dish is both satisfying and healthy. It’s also a great option for a quick meal that’s ready in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplants
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Cooked rice

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the eggplants into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat (around 350°F or 180°C).
3. Add the eggplant and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. In a separate bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
5. Pour the sauce over the eggplant and stir for 2 minutes.
6. Serve over hot cooked rice.

2) Mille-Feuille Nabe

Mille-Feuille Nabe is a warm, comforting Japanese hot pot dish. It features layers of napa cabbage and pork belly, creating a delicious and hearty meal. The name means “a thousand layers,” which describes how the ingredients stack up beautifully.

You cook it in a savory dashi broth that brings all the flavors together. This dish is great for sharing with family and friends, especially during colder weather.

Ingredients

• 1 head napa cabbage
• 1 pound pork belly slices
• 4 cups dashi broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sake
• Optional: sliced mushrooms, green onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the napa cabbage into large pieces.
2. In a pot, layer the cabbage and pork belly alternately.
3. Pour the dashi broth, soy sauce, and sake over the layers.
4. Heat the pot on medium until it simmers (about 180°F or 82°C).
5. Cook for about 15-20 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the pork is cooked. Enjoy!

3) Teriyaki Salmon

Teriyaki Salmon is a delicious and easy dish you can make in just 15 minutes. The sweet and savory flavors of the teriyaki sauce complement the tender salmon perfectly. It’s great for busy weeknights.

To make this dish, you’ll need fresh salmon fillets and a simple homemade teriyaki sauce. Serve it with fluffy rice and grilled vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sake (optional)
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickness)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, sake, and ginger.
2. Heat a pan over medium heat.
3. Add salmon fillets, skin-side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes.
4. Pour sauce over the salmon. Cook until the salmon is cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
5. Enjoy your Teriyaki Salmon with rice!

4) Japanese Milk Bread

Japanese Milk Bread, also known as Shokupan, is a soft and fluffy bread that many love. Its milky-sweet flavor makes it perfect for sandwiches or toast. You’ll enjoy its light texture and delicious taste.

To make this bread, you will need simple ingredients from your kitchen. It’s a great way to try your hand at baking something different. The process is fun and rewarding.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 cup warm milk (approximately 110°F or 43°C)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes.
2. Add bread flour, salt, and butter to the yeast mixture.
3. Knead the dough until smooth, about 10 minutes.
4. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. Shape the dough and place it in a loaf pan. Let it rise again for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30-35 minutes. Enjoy!

5) Vegetarian Ramen

Vegetarian ramen is a delicious and comforting dish you can easily make at home. It features a creamy broth made from soy milk, dashi, and miso. You can customize it with your favorite toppings.

Add fresh greens, sweet corn, and nori for great flavors. If you like eggs, you can add a soft-boiled one on top. This dish is perfect for both vegetarians and anyone looking for a tasty meal.

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup soy milk
• 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 1 tablespoon dashi powder
• Fresh greens (spinach or bok choy)
• Sweet corn
• Nori (seaweed)
• Optional: soft-boiled eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat the vegetable broth over medium heat.
2. Add soy milk, miso paste, and dashi powder, stirring well.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Serve hot with fresh greens, corn, and nori on top.
5. Add a soft-boiled egg if desired.

6) Gyudon

Gyudon, or Japanese beef rice bowl, is a quick and tasty meal. This dish features tender, thinly sliced beef cooked with onions in a sweet and savory sauce. It’s served over a bowl of warm steamed rice.

Cooking gyudon takes about 20 minutes. You can enjoy it as a comforting dinner or a satisfying lunch. Top it with a sprinkle of green onions and you’re all set!

Ingredients

• 1 cup steamed rice
• 8 oz thinly sliced beef
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup dashi broth
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon mirin (optional)
• Green onions for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pan, combine dashi broth, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Heat it until simmering.
2. Add sliced onions and cook until they become tender.
3. Add thinly sliced beef and cook until fully done.
4. Serve the beef and onions over steamed rice.
5. Garnish with green onions before serving. Enjoy!

7) Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish consisting of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlets. It’s known for its crispy texture and juicy meat. You can enjoy it with tonkatsu sauce for added flavor.

To make your own tonkatsu, you will need to use Japanese panko breadcrumbs. This helps create the light and airy crust that makes this dish special.

You can serve tonkatsu with rice, shredded cabbage, or miso soup. It’s a delightful meal that many people love.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pork loin or tenderloin
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying
• Tonkatsu sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the pork into cutlets about 1 inch thick.
2. Prepare three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko.
3. Dip each cutlet first in flour, then in eggs, and lastly in panko.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
5. Fry the cutlets until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve with tonkatsu sauce.

8) Japanese Chicken Curry

Japanese Chicken Curry is a comforting dish perfect for dinner. You’ll enjoy tender chicken pieces with carrots and potatoes simmered in a rich curry sauce. It’s simple to make and full of flavor.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need chicken, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, curry powder, and broth.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken
• 1 large onion
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 medium potatoes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1-inch piece ginger
• 3 tablespoons curry powder
• 4 cups (950 ml) chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop the chicken and vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
3. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until soft.
4. Add chicken and brown it.
5. Stir in carrots and potatoes.
6. Pour in chicken broth and curry powder.
7. Simmer for 30 minutes until everything is tender.
8. Serve hot with rice. Enjoy!

9) Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a delicious Japanese savory pancake that you can customize with your favorite ingredients. It is often described as “Japanese pizza” because of its variety of toppings like cabbage, meat, and seafood.

You can make this dish in different styles, such as Osaka or Hiroshima. Osaka-style mixes everything together, while Hiroshima-style layers ingredients with noodles.

Making okonomiyaki is fun and easy. You’ll enjoy creating your perfect pancake with your choice of protein and tasty sauces.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups water
• 2 cups finely shredded cabbage
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup cooked pork belly or shrimp
• Okonomiyaki sauce
• Aonori (seaweed flakes)
• Katsuobushi (bonito flakes)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, water, and eggs until smooth.
2. Stir in cabbage and green onions.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
4. Pour batter into the skillet, forming a circle.
5. Add your protein on top.
6. Cook for 5-7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Drizzle with okonomiyaki sauce and top with aonori and katsuobushi.
8. Serve warm and enjoy!

10) Soba Salad

Soba Salad is a refreshing dish that’s perfect for any meal. You can enjoy it chilled or at room temperature. This salad features earthy soba noodles tossed in a tasty honey sesame dressing.

You can easily customize this salad with your favorite toppings, like green onions and cilantro. The crunchy vegetables add great texture to the dish. This makes it a light option for busy weeknights or a sunny lunch.

Ingredients

• Soba noodles
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Green onions
• Cilantro
• Sesame seeds
• Optional vegetables (like carrots or bell peppers)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the soba noodles according to the package directions.

2. Drain and rinse the noodles in cold water.

3. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

4. Toss the noodles with the dressing and add the vegetables.

5. Garnish with green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

6. Enjoy!