13 Japanese-Style Cookbooks To Look For On Amazon

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Widely considered one of the greatest food cultures in the world, Japanese cuisine incorporates traditional and modern food practices and presents them as a form of art. Each region of Japan has culinary traditions and specialties of its own, so exploring the country's restaurants becomes an adventure for the eyes and stomach. However, you don't have to go to Japan to experience these delights. Amazon has a great selection of cookbooks so that you can make Japanese-style meals at home.

From traditional practices and dishes to classic and modern recipes for beginners, Amazon is a one-stop shop for all kinds of Japanese-style cookbooks for omnivores, vegans, and vegetarians. We have even found some options that detail how to make various Japanese street foods and the dishes and desserts that you may have seen in anime shows. Along with using them yourself, these cookbooks on Amazon are perfect for gifting during the holiday season.

Keep in mind when perusing this curated list that the provided prices are based on the typical list price of either the hardcover or paperback versions. Along with these prices varying, many of the cookbooks can be purchased digitally as Kindle versions, which are often cheaper. Spiral-bound versions may also be available for a higher price. But, without further ado, let's check out 13 Japanese-style cookbooks that are worth adding to your kitchen collection.

Whether you're adventuring into Japanese cuisine for the first time or looking for easier ways to make your favorite dishes, this cookbook from Azusa Oda may be exactly what you need. The author provides details that help you learn the basics of Japanese cooking and kitchen essentials. Best of all, you get more than 70 recipes for traditional and modern delights — from classic miso soup to creamy shiitake and bacon pasta.

Order the paperback version of "Japanese Cookbook for Beginners: Classic and Modern Recipes Made Easy" by Azusa Oda on Amazon for $18.99.

Among the facts you should know about Japanese cuisine, washoku is a social practice that incorporates centuries-old traditions in the way that Japanese food is sourced, prepared, presented, and enjoyed. It's even a registered UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Embodying the "harmony of food," this cookbook provides detailed descriptions, photography, and recipes for everything from rice and noodle dishes to desserts — all from Elizabeth Andoh, a leading authority on the subject of Japanese cuisine and food culture.

Get a hardcover copy of "Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen" by Elizabeth Andoh for $40 on Amazon.

American author and chef Ivan Orkin may be a gaijin (which means "foreigner" or "outsider" in Japanese), but he spent decades living in Tokyo and even opened two successful ramen shops there. In this cookbook with co-author Chris Ying, you get a uniquely accessible approach to a wide range of recipes — from rice dishes to Japanese twists on bagels and sandwiches to hot pots and party-pleasers.

The hardcover of "The Gaijin Cookbook: Japanese Recipes from a Chef, Father, Eater, and Lifelong Outsider" by Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying is on Amazon for $30.

Garnering praise from the owner of Nobu Restaurant Group, this collection of recipes from Rie McClenny and Sanaë Lemoine demonstrates that cooking Japanese dishes can be approachable, no matter where you live. It's full of must-make classics, twists on traditional dishes, irresistible breads and sweets, and hands-on recipes for party guests to make with you. Also, McClenny gives you tips on stocking a Japanese pantry and kitchen with the right ingredients and tools.

Buy the hardcover version of "Make It Japanese: Simple Recipes for Everyone: A Cookbook" by Rie McClenny and Sanaë Lemoine for $30 on Amazon.

James Beard Award-winning author Nancy Singleton Hachisu may be a California native, but her life in Japan since 1988 has made her an authority on the country's food culture. Published in 2018, this cookbook features over 400 recipes with insightful notes that make it one of the best guides to making Japanese food at home. You can expect to find simple and elegant dishes like simmered pork belly, stir-fried spinach and mushrooms, and spinach and udon soup, as well as various ways to cook tofu.

Order a hardcover copy of "Japan: The Cookbook" by Nancy Singleton Hachisu on Amazon for $54.95.

The American South isn't the only region of the world where home cooks enjoy making comfort food. In this cookbook from chef Tadashi Ono and restaurateur Harris Salat, you'll get over 100 Japanese comfort food recipes. From homemade ramen and wafu pasta to savory omelets to tempura and tatsuta-age, the range of craveable fare is packed with flavor.

Get the hardcover of "Japanese Soul Cooking: Ramen, Tonkatsu, Tempura, and More from the Streets and Kitchens of Tokyo and Beyond" by Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat for $32.99 on Amazon.

Nothing says food art quite like sushi because of the care given to the aesthetics, ingredients, sauces, and textures involved. While chefs may go through a decade of training to make it professionally, this cookbook doesn't require any previous experience. Author Chika Ravitch provides step-by-step classic and nontraditional recipes for different types of sushi – nigiri, sashimi, rolls, and more — so that even novice cooks can prepare them.

The paperback version of "Sushi Cookbook for Beginners: 100 Step-By-Step Recipes to Make Sushi at Home" by Chika Ravitch is on Amazon for $13.99.

In Japanese, the word "donabe" literally translates to "clay pot." This type of earthen pot has been widely used for cooking since the Edo period, and over time, it has become a staple for making hotpot meals in kitchens and dining rooms across the country. In this cookbook by Japanese home-cooking expert Naoko Takei Moore and chef Kyle Connaughton, you can learn more about the origins of donabe while making classic and modern recipes.

Buy a hardcover copy of "Donabe: Classic and Modern Japanese Clay Pot Cooking" by Naoko Takei Moore and Kyle Connaughton for $37.99 on Amazon.

Ramen may be one of the most widely known Japanese street foods. While you can use chef Markee Manaloto's top tips for making the perfect ramen broth at home, this cookbook from chef Hugh Amano and illustrator Sarah Becan delves into other aspects of making homemade ramen. Learn about the various noodle and meat ingredients, accompaniments, and twists on flavors. What really sets this cookbook apart, though, is the comic book format, which makes the experience fun.

Grab the "Let's Make Ramen!: A Comic Book Cookbook" by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan in paperback on Amazon for $22.

Chef Tadashi Ono and restaurateur Harris Salat teamed up again; but this time, they've put together a bold combination of American grilling using Japanese ingredients like miso and soy sauce. Featuring step-by-step techniques and menu suggestions for gatherings, this collection of recipes (including marinades) will have you turning chicken, seafood, steak, and vegetables into flavorful Japanese dishes. Some of the recipes include street foods like yakitori and yaki onigiri.

A paperback copy of "The Japanese Grill: From Classic Yakitori to Steak, Seafood, and Vegetables" by Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat is $25 on Amazon.

In Japanese cooking, kansha is an appreciation for the gifts of nature and the efforts and creativity of those who transform those gifts into delicious food. Japanese cuisine expert Elizabeth Andoh has made that credo the focus of over 100 vegan and vegetarian recipes and tips for the right equipment, cooking methods, and cutting techniques. From Buddhist temple classics like creamy sesame pudding to modern inventions like eggplant sushi, there's a wide variety for every palate.

Order a hardcover copy of "Kansha: Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions" by Elizabeth Andoh on Amazon for $35.

If you've always wanted to try the dishes you see in anime, this cookbook is for you. Author Diana Ault is a self-proclaimed otaku – someone obsessed with anime and manga – and provides recipes of the foods eaten by the characters of popular shows like "Naruto," "Fruits Basket," and "My Hero Academia." You'll also find street foods you must try when visiting Japan, like takoyaki and yakisoba.

"Cook Anime: Eat Like Your Favorite Character — From Bento to Yakisoba: A Cookbook" by Diana Ault is available as a hardcover on Amazon for $21.99.

After dining like your favorite animated characters, you may as well snack like them. Self-taught cook and baker Emily J. Bushman (another self-proclaimed otaku) makes that possible by providing instructions on how to make all the tasty-looking desserts you've seen in movies and shows. Learn how to bake pocket monster swiss rolls from "Pokémon," ohagi from "Demon Slayer," and custard taiyaki from "My Hero Academia."

Buy the hardcover version of "Bake Anime: 75 Sweet Recipes Spotted In — and Inspired by — Your Favorite Anime" by Emily J. Bushman for $21.99 on Amazon.