10 Japanese Fall/Autumn Recipes You Need to Try This Season

No matter what anyone says, I think autumn is the most beautiful, comfortable, and overall the best season in Japan. It’s sometimes called “the season of the palate,” and there are all kinds of delicious ingredients in season. In this roundup, I’ll be introducing 10 recipes for Japanese food that my favorite season can offer.

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1. Sanma no Shioyaki

Grilled pacific saury (sanma no shioyaki) on a pale oval plate with grated daikon, sauce sauce and a halved sudachi

The “Autumn Sword Fish,” or sanma, is a key ingredient in many Japanese dishes during the fall season. This slender fish, once used for lantern oil, now graces dinner plates with its distinctive, mildly fatty taste.

If you’re looking to bring a taste of Japanese autumn to your dinner table, this is an absolute must-try.

Sanma no Shioyaki (Grilled Pacific Saury)

Sanma no Shioyaki is a classic Japanese autumn dish. Made with seasonal and fresh Pacific Saury sprinkled with salt and grilled, it's so simple yet so tasty. Typically enjoyed with grated daikon and a squeeze of sudachi, this dish is perfect served with rice and miso soup!

Check out this recipe →

2. Takikomi Gohan

chicken takikomi gohan in a black rice bowl topped with chopped green onion

As fall arrives in Japan, takikomi gohan is in kitchens everywhere. This seasoned rice dish combines autumn’s bounty with savory proteins, cooked together in one pot.

It’s perfect for anyone craving an authentic taste of Japanese autumn comfort food.

Takikomi Gohan (Japanese Seasoned Rice)

Takikomi gohan is a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy Japanese rice. Cooked with meat and seasonal vegetables flavored with Japanese condiments, this dish is commonly enjoyed with fish and miso soup in the cooler autumn months.

Check out this recipe →

3. Kenchin Jiru

Japanese vegetable soup "kenchin jiru" served in a wooden bowl and topped with chopped spring onions

Featured Comment:

“Just made it tonight! So good and so comforting!”
– Rodrigo

Kenchin jiru is the ultimate comfort soup for autumn in Japan. It’s packed with seasonal vegetables and simmered in a savory, plant-based broth, making it a hearty dish that warms you from the inside out.

This soup is great for anyone looking to try traditional Japanese flavors while sticking to a plant-based diet.

Kenchin Jiru (Traditional Japanese Vegetable Soup)

Kenshin Jiru is a filling and nutritious soup made with a variety of vegetables served in a soy sauce-flavored dashi broth. This traditional dish is rooted in Buddhism and is suitable for vegans too!

Check out this recipe →

4. Tsukimi Burger

Japanese tsukimi burger on a brown rectangular plate with fries

As the leaves change color and the weather gets cooler, it’s time for something special in Japan: the Tsukimi burger. This McDonald’s creation, inspired by the Mid-Autumn Festival, has people lining up every year for its perfect blend of beef, bacon, and egg.

I’ve created a copycat recipe that brings the experience right to your home kitchen. It’s a must-try for anyone interested in the unique offerings of this global fast food chain.

Homemade Tsukimi Burger (Moon Gazing Burger)

The Tsukimi burger is an iconic seasonal item on the Japanese McDonald's menu. Made up of a juicy beef patty topped with crispy bacon, creamy sauce and a perfectly cooked egg all stacked inside a soft white bun, many Japanese people wait all year to finally enjoy the beloved Tsukimi burger! And with my delicious homemade recipe you can make your own from scratch all year round!

Check out this recipe →

5. Mushroom Miso Soup

Mushroom miso soup made with 4 kinds of mushroom served in a wooden bowl top down view

Mushroom miso soup is the perfect way to enjoy the best of fall (mushroom season) in a bowl. It’s a tasty twist on the classic miso soup, packed with the season’s best mushrooms.

Feel free to experiment with your local seasonal mushrooms while keeping the soul of this fall favorite intact.

Mushroom Miso Soup (Kinoko no Miso Shiru)

Enjoy the unique flavors and textures of various mushrooms in this delicious homemade mushroom miso soup packed with 4 different kinds! Not only is it delicious, but also comforting, nutritious and easy to make!

Check out this recipe →

Mushroom miso soup made with 4 kinds of mushroom served in a wooden bowl

6. Daigaku Imo

Japanese candied sweet potato "daigaku imo" featured image

Daigaku Imo captures the essence of Japanese autumn in every bite. These candied sweet potato bites, coated in a crunchy glaze and sprinkled with black sesame seeds, are a beloved seasonal treat.

Perfect for anyone who loves trying out international seasonal treats without leaving their kitchen.

Japanese Candied Sweet Potato (Daigaku Imo)

Daigaku Imo is an irresistible Japanese snack made from fluffy sweet potatoes deep fried and coated in a sweet candy glaze. Perfectly soft on the outside and satisfyingly crisp on the outside, it's a must try recipe for all sweet potato lovers!

Check out this recipe →

Japanese candied sweet potato "daigaku imo"

7. Kabocha Korokke

Japanese pumpkin croquettes "kabocha korokke"

Kabocha korokke offers a distinctive sweetness to the classic Japanese croquette. The creamy kabocha squash at the center and golden panko crust make this dish a perfect balance of rich and tangy flavors.

A perfect fall treat, this dish brings the best of seasonal ingredients to your table!

Kabocha Korokke (Japanese Pumpkin Croquettes)

This delicious Kabocha Korokke is made with sweet and creamy Japanese winter squash coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs then served with a tangy sauce. This dish is a perfect side, bento option or even served as a main dish with cabbage and rice!

Check out this recipe →

8. Tsukimi Udon

Tsukimi udon made with thick noodles in a dashi broth topped with eggs, bacon, green onion, tempura bits and kamaboko fishcake shaped into a rabbit

Fall in Japan brings moon-gazing and comforting bowls of Tsukimi Udon. This hearty dish features chewy noodles, a golden egg “moon,” and a savory broth.

My twist? Crispy bacon and playful kamaboko rabbits join the party. It’s a fun, whimsical nod to folklore that’ll delight noodle lovers and autumn enthusiasts alike.

Tsukimi Udon (Moon Gazing Udon with Egg)

Japanese udon noodle soup meets breakfast with this delicious Tsukimi Udon! Inspired by the Japanese custom of moon gazing, this unique dish is topped with sunny side up eggs and adorable kamaboko rabbits as well as delicious crispy bacon, tempura flakes and green onions!

Check out this recipe →

9. Japanese “Sweet Potato” Dessert

Japanese sweet potato dessert in foil cases sprinkled with black sesame seeds top down view

Satsumaimo is the star of fall’s sweetest offering. Suito Poteto. This dessert takes the humble sweet potato to a whole new level.

It’s a simple process: mash, mix with cream and butter, shape and toast. The result is pure simplicity at its finest!

Japanese “Sweet Potato” Dessert

Japanese "sweet potato" is a creamy and buttery dessert made with naturally sweet and delicious "satsumaimo" (Japanese sweet potatoes). Shaped into miniature versions of the vegetable itself, then toasted and sprinkled with black sesame seeds, these adorable sweets are the perfect Autumn treat!

Check out this recipe →

Japanese sweet potato dessert in foil cases sprinkled with black sesame seeds

10. Kabocha no Nimono

This simple yet impressive pumpkin dish highlights the natural sweetness of kabocha squash, enhanced by a savory soy-dashi bath.

The gentle simmering infuses each bite with a rich broth that’s full of umami. Ideal for anyone craving a wholesome, warming dish that captures autumn’s essence.

Japanese Simmered Pumpkin (Kabocha no Nimono)

This soft and flavorful Japanese Simmered Pumpkin is the ultimate comforting side dish. Made with "kabocha" simmered in a delightful assortment of Japanese condiments, it's the perfect side or bento box addition!

Check out this recipe →