15 Date Night Japanese Dinner Ideas Perfect for Two on Valentine's Day

How do you like to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Maybe you make a homemade dinner course and enjoy it with your significant other. In this roundup, I’ll share recipes for appetizers, main dishes, and desserts that are perfect for a Japanese-themed date night on Valentine’s Day.

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Appetizers

1. Crispy Pork Gyoza

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These were so so delicious, the crispy bottom was just perfect! Really easy recipe to follow and the veggie ones came out just as tasty! The homemade wrappers are a complete game changer as well, so much better than the pre-made ones! Will be making these again and again!

★★★★★
– Harri

Nothing says romance quite like handcrafted Japanese gyoza made from scratch together.

This version has a tasty pork filling and shows you the traditional technique for achieving that signature crispy base, plus a simple yet sophisticated dipping sauce that makes every bite even better.

Crispy Pork Gyoza (Japanese Pan Fried Dumplings)

Make your own Japanese style gyoza to rival your local ramen restaurant! This delicious recipe features a juicy pork filling, tips for a perfectly crispy base and the ultimate 4 ingredient dipping sauce!

Authentic gyoza recipe

8 pan-fried pork gyoza with crispy base on a cream colored plate

2. Agedashi Tofu

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This recipe makes the most tasty agedashi tofu ever! I used to buy the premade agedashi tofu from Nijiya, but making it at home is much better. Thank you for this recipe, I wouldn’t change a thing!

★★★★★
– S Yoshimi

Take plain tofu and turn it into a fancy appetizer with this perfectly crispy agedashi tofu recipe.

This version features an expertly balanced dashi sauce that brings depth and warmth to every bite, making it an ideal way to begin your romantic dinner.

Agedashi tofu (Japanese deep fried tofu) with Homemade Sauce

Agedashi tofu is a popular side dish made with firm tofu coated in a thin, light and crispy batter and served in a thick umami-rich sauce. It's one of my all-time favorites!

Agedashi tofu recipe

Agedashi Tofu (Japanese deep fried tofu) in a thick sauce topped with chopped spring onions, grated daikon and shichimi pepper

3. Ebi Mayo

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The dressing is delicious with the shrimp. The beer was a wonderful idea. My husband and kids loved the recipe!

★★★★★
– Colette

Impress your valentine with restaurant-quality ebi mayo that combines crispy fried prawns with a dreamy, creamy sauce.

This version’s secret weapon is its unique beer batter coating, creating an airy crunch that perfectly complements the tender prawns within.

Ebi Mayo (Fried Shrimp in Mayonnaise Sauce)

Juicy prawns fried in a light yet crispy batter then coated in a sweet and creamy mayonnaise-based sauce, "Ebi Mayo" is a sure crowd-pleaser! This addictive Chinese restaurant and izakaya-style appetizer is also popular to make at home!

Ebi mayo recipe

Ebi Mayo (Fried Shrimp in Mayonnaise Sauce) on a brown plate with salad and lemon wedges

4. Mugen Cabbage

Experience the magic of mugen cabbage, where tender steamed leaves meet an irresistible sauce and homemade crunchy furikake.

This addictive Japanese side dish transforms humble cabbage into an endless craving, living up to its name which means “infinite” in Japanese.

Mugen Cabbage (Infinite Cabbage Salad with Crunchy Furikake)

My version of Mugen Cabbage is an addictive side dish made with tender leaves of cabbage coated in a spicy sesame sauce and crunchy homemade furikake. You won't be able to stop eating it!

Mugen cabbage recipe

mugen cabbage in a white bowl on ashy wood surface with furikake in a bowl on a blue cloth in the background

5. Chicken Karaage

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If you follow the recipe you will be rewarded with the most delicious Karaage chicken. I also opted for the hail ball affect. It was excellent.

★★★★★
– Miki

Make your date night special with this authentic Japanese karaage-it’s just as good as the ones you get at specialty shops.

This recipe will show you how to get super juicy chicken with an amazingly crispy coating, all thanks to our special marinade and unique potato starch technique.

Authentic Chicken Karaage (Crispy Japanese Fried Chicken)

Learn everything you need to know about Japanese chicken karaage! This authentic recipe includes tips for making the crispiest, juiciest and tastiest version of this iconic fried chicken dish!

Best karaage recipe

Mains

1. Tonkatsu

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It wasn’t my first katsu, but definitely THE BEST katsu. I absolutely loved sesame seeds in the sauce. Your hint with adding oil to the egg was game changing (no more falling panko, yass!!). It’s a pity I haven’t discovered your blog earlier!

★★★★★
– Claudia

Make your Valentine’s dinner into a cozy Japanese affair with this golden-crispy Tonkatsu.

This pork cutlet is a favorite for good reason. The breading is golden and crunchy, and the meat inside is juicy and tender. It’s served with a tangy sauce that’s the perfect finishing touch.

Authentic Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlet) with Homemade Sauce

This beautifully golden and crispy Japanese Tonkatsu is made with tender pork coated with a thick layer of panko breadcrumbs and served with a tangy homemade sauce. Learn how to make the best tonkatsu ever with my tips and tricks!

Authentic tonkatsu recipe

Japanese tonkatsu deep fried pork cutlet drizzled with homemade sauce

2. Teriyaki Lemon Pork Chop

The succulent chops are glazed with a honey-sweetened teriyaki sauce and brightened with fresh lemon slices, creating an irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and citrus notes.

Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish lets you spend less time cooking and more time connecting. It’s perfect for couples who appreciate quick yet sophisticated meals, offering a delicious balance of familiar flavors with an unexpected twist.

Lemon Teriyaki Pork Chops

These succulent pork chops are pan-fried with an addictive teriyaki-style glaze flavored with zesty lemon slices. Ready in 20 minutes and perfect for lunch or dinner!

Teriyaki pork chop recipe

Lemon Teriyaki Pork Chop topped with lemon slices and fried garlic chips on a black slate-style square plate with pan fried mushrooms and salad leaves

3. Soy Butter Salmon

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It is absolutely delicious! The rice has an amazing garlicky flavor, it’s soooo good I could be eating it all by itself 😄 The salmon is fantastic, I’m in love with the texture and subtle flavors, thank you for giving so many tips on how to cook it properly!
– @niidzumakun8170 (from YouTube)

This salmon meunière blends classic French technique with rich Japanese flavors for a dish that feels elegant and special.

It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day because it looks fancy and tastes luxurious without being hard to make. The fusion of French and Japanese flair creates a memorable meal for a cozy dinner for two.

Soy Sauce and Butter Salmon

East meets West with this tender and delicious Soy Sauce and Butter Salmon that combines Japanese flavors with French cooking techniques!

Soy butter salmon recipe

Butter Soy Sauce Salmon (Japanese-Style Salmon Meunière) on a bed of garlic rice next to sautéed asparagus and enoki mushrooms on a blue striped dinner plate top down

4. Daikon Steak

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I made this a couple nights ago and it was actually very good!! I’m new to using daikon and had not-so-tasty experiences with it before but I would make this recipe again!

★★★★★
– @julesmckinney (from YouTube)

Thick daikon rounds are parboiled until tender, then seared for a golden crust. A crosshatch cut keeps them pretty and helps the glaze soak in. It’s served over buttery mashed potatoes with crisp garlic chips.

I love how it feels indulgent, yet still vegetable-forward. If you’re cooking for a vegetarian date, this can be the main-event centerpiece.

Daikon Steak

Buttery mashed potato, crispy garlic chips and an umami-rich Japanese style sauce served with a tender and flavorful daikon "steak", this is the dish that will change how you think about daikon radish!

Daikon steak recipe

Cutting into a daikon steak served over mashed potato and sprinkled with crispy garlic chips on a white plate with gold rim

5. Garlic Steak Fried Rice

garlic fried rice topped with rare pan-fried beef steak slices, chopped green onions and crispy garlic chips in a white dish top down

Chunks of steak, crisp garlic, and savory rice come together in one luxurious pan. The garlic oil carries deep flavor through every grain without overpowering the beef.

If you want a rice dish as the main for Valentine’s Day, this feels indulgent and satisfying. I like how it turns a familiar fried rice into something date-night worthy.

Garlic Steak Fried Rice (Teppanyaki Restaurant Style)

Bring the Teppanyaki restaurant home with this fragrant and buttery garlic fried rice topped with perfectly cooked beef steak and crispy garlic chips!

Garlic steak fried rice recipe

garlic fried rice topped with rare pan-fried beef steak slices, chopped green onions and crispy garlic chips in a white dish thumbnail

Desserts

1. Nama Chocolate

2 pieces of nama chocolate stacked on a plate with an imitation rose and a gift box of nama choco in the background

Invented in Yokohama in 1988, Nama Chocolates have become Japan’s signature confection for expressing affection.

These decadent squares blend premium chocolate with fresh cream to create a ganache so smooth, it will be difficult to believe it’s homemade.

Nama Chocolate (Japanese Valentine’s Day Chocolate)

These luxuriously creamy Japanese Nama Chocolates will melt in your mouth! They're super easy to make, only require 5 ingredients and make the perfect gift.

Nama chocolate recipe

2. Matcha Tiramisu

Experience the perfect marriage of Italian elegance and Japanese sophistication with this stunning Matcha Tiramisu.

Each spoonful delivers layers of velvety matcha mascarpone cream nestled between delicately soaked ladyfingers, creating a harmonious blend of earthy and creamy notes.

Matcha Tiramisu

Matcha Tiramisu is the perfect fusion no-bake dessert made with layers of rich, velvety matcha mascarpone cream and spongy matcha-soaked ladyfingers. It's a must-try for all matcha lovers!

Matcha tiramisu recipe

A square piece of matcha tiramisu on a gray plate with two raspberries and a mint leaf

4. Purin

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Thank you for this recipe. I have been looking for this for over a year. And now i found yours. I made it yesterday and could not put it down. So good, just perfect.

★★★★★
– Michelle

Create romance with Japanese Purin, a beloved dessert that turns humble ingredients into pure magic.

This no-bake creation features a silky-smooth custard crowned with homemade caramel, all served in intimate portions perfect for sharing.

Nameraka Purin (Silky No Bake Japanese Custard Pudding)

This silky Japanese purin is made with a creamy, melt-in-mouth custard poured over a layer of rich homemade caramel. Best of all, it's no-bake, easy to make, and uses simple ingredients!

Japanese purin recipe

Japanese style custard pudding (purin) in glass jars thumbnail

5. Matcha Rare Cheesecake

a wooden fork cutting into a slice of matcha rare cheesecake

Let this Matcha Rare Cheesecake add Japanese elegance to your Valentine’s celebration.

This no-bake marvel features a perfectly balanced blend of premium matcha and cream cheese, creating a texture so light it practically floats off your spoon.

Matcha Rare Cheesecake (No Bake)

This Matcha Rare Cheesecake is the perfect balance of tangy cream cheese filling and vibrant matcha flavor with a fluffy, mousse-like texture. Easy, elegant and no-bake!

Matcha rare cheesecake recipe