15 Japanese Breakfast Recipe Ideas to Start Your Day

Ever wondered what Japanese people eat for breakfast? Wonder no more as I list 15 delicious dishes commonly enjoyed for breakfast in Japan; you can start your day the Japanese way!

In Japanese cuisine, there is a traditional meal format called “ichiju sansai (一汁三菜)”, which is a meal consisting of rice, soup, and three side dishes. Traditional breakfast is not an exception either.

If you have ever stayed in Japanese-style hotels (ryokan), you must have been surprised by how giant their breakfast is. It usually comes with rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and other sides.

However, this kind of breakfast is not the only option, we also have plenty of quick and easy breakfast choices. Check out the list for various traditional and modern Japanese breakfast ideas!

1. Tamago kake gohan (TKG)

Tamago Kake Gohan is a simple dish made of rice, raw egg, and toppings. One of my favorite Japanese breakfasts of all time.

In this post, I teach you about this classic Japanese breakfast dish’s history, how to make it, and 15 of the best toppings!

2. Natto

Love it or hate it, there are so many ways to enjoy fermented soybeans called “natto“. From how to eat it to popular brands and delicious toppings, in this post I cover everything you need to know about this traditional Japanese superfood!

I love natto and I cannot live without it. I even eat natto almost every day. In this post, you get to know how to eat it, different variations, and a whole range of topping ideas!

3. Authentic Homemade Japanese Miso Soup

Miso soup is a traditional soup dish made with dashi stock, soybean paste, and a range of ingredients that vary from region to region. It’s delicious, warming and makes the perfect side for any Japanese meal.

It’s one of the essential parts of Japanese breakfast. My grandmother has miso soup every morning. One of the beauties of miso soup is that you can mix it up by using different vegetables or even different kinds of miso paste. It’s a comforting way to start the day.

There are also recipes for mushroom miso soup!

4. Homemade Miso Soup with Ginger (Vegan)

Can miso soup be vegetarian/vegen friendly? Sure it can!

This easy and delicious plant-based miso soup is made with umami-rich kombu and shiitake dashi and then flavored with certified vegan awase miso paste and fragrant ginger. It’s warming, comforting, and can be enjoyed by almost anyone!

5. Kenchin Jiru (Traditional Japanese Vegetable Soup)

Want soup other than miso soup? Then you can try this traditional vegetable soup with a longer history than miso soup!

Kenchin Jiru is a filling and nutritious soup with tofu and various vegetables served in a soy sauce-flavored dashi broth. This traditional dish has roots in Buddhism and it’s suitable for vegans too!

6. Tonjiru (Pork and Vegetable Miso Soup)

Looking for something more meaty than normal miso soup? Then try tonjiru instead!

Tonjiru is the ultimate miso soup packed with tender pork belly and a tonne of extra veggies to make it more filling and delicious! You’ve gotta try this warming home style dish one morning!

7. Japanese Egg Drop Soup (Kakitamajiru)

Kakitamajiru is a clear Japanese soup made with fluffy egg ribbons, served in a delicious homemade dashi broth and seasoned with soy sauce and salt.

It’s a simple dish that is both light and packed with umami. Best of all, it’s easy to make and requires minimal ingredients.

8. How to Make Japanese Rice (without a rice cooker)

As mentioned earlier, traditional Japanese breakfast always comes with freshly cooked rice. Japanese mums always set the timer on the rice cooker so that a fresh batch of rice is ready for tomorrow morning.

However, I know not everyone has a Japanese-style rice cooker, so in this recipe, I explain how to cook Japanese rice perfectly on the stove. I also explain storing and reheating tips, ideal for mornings when you’re in a rush!

9. Japanese Salted Salmon (Shiozake)

Japanese salted salmon is a classic breakfast dish, commonly served with rice and miso soup. Made with fresh salmon and seasoned simply with salt, the fact that you only need two ingredients almost makes this dish too good to be true!

Salmon is accessible anywhere in the world, so this is a great way to enjoy an authentic Japanese-style breakfast without special ingredients!

10. Saba no Shioyaki (Japanese style grilled mackerel)

If you looking for other grilled fish ideas for Japanese breakfast, mackerel is a great option!

Japanese-style grilled mackerel with crispy skin and tender flesh, seasoned simply with salt. This easy recipe allows you to enjoy this delicious fish to the fullest in practically no time!

11. Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Rolled Omelette with Dashi)

Do you like having eggs in the morning? Then you might want to consider this recipe and enjoy your eggs with a Japanese twist!

Dashimaki tamago is a delicious rolled omelet flavored with dashi stock, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, this iconic dish is the perfect addition to any breakfast! Leftovers can be used in bento boxes or as a side dish too.

12. Simple Shio Onigiri (Salted Japanese Rice Ball)

If you want the simplest and easiest Japanese breakfast, you cannot avoid rice balls. This is still our favorite fast breakfast to this day.

Shio onigiri is a basic rice ball made with sticky Japanese rice, salt and crispy nori. Despite its simplicity, it’s filling, tasty and satisfying. It only requires 3 ingredients and is great for beginners!

13. Salmon Onigiri Rice Balls

Fish and rice ball in one? In that case, try this salmon rice ball!

Delicious salmon flakes fried in butter and soy sauce and mixed with spring onion and sesame seeds make this rice ball one of my favorites! 

14. Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls)

Did you know Japanese rice balls can be grilled too?

Yaki onigiri is delicious, crispy grilled Japanese rice balls brushed with miso and soy sauce and fried in butter. With just a few typical Japanese pantry items, you can whip up this tasty snack in no time! They’re perfect for bentos too!

15. Lawson Style “Devil’s Onigiri” Rice Ball

You might wonder what on earth “devil’s onigiri” is. Devil in the food context is a modern Japanese term meaning “guilty pleasure”. Usually, something addictive falls into this category.

This Devil’s Onigiri is a recreation of a popular rice ball sold at the convenience store chain “Lawson”. It’s made with seasoned tempura bits and aonori. So simple yet so good!