Best Japanese Cooking, Food & Wine Books of 2026

Japan: The Cookbook is an extensive recipe collection of over 400 dishes, organized by course and accompanied by insightful notes. Written by renowned food writer Nancy Singleton Hachisu, the book offers a comprehensive guide to Japanese home cooking, featuring soups, noodles, rices, pickles, one-pots, sweets, and vegetables. The recipes are simple and elegant, making them ideal for anyone looking to explore Japanese cuisine. The book is well-researched and provides a window into the country's culinary traditions and techniques. Overall, Japan: The Cookbook is a must-have for anyone interested in Japanese cooking and culture.

Japanese Soul Cooking: Ramen, Tonkatsu, Tempura, and More from the Streets and Kitchens of Tokyo and Beyond [A Cookbook] is a must-have for anyone who loves Japanese cuisine. Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat introduce readers to the heartwarming, flavorful dishes that are popular in Japanese homes and restaurants. The book includes over 100 recipes, from classic favorites like ramen and tempura to lesser-known dishes like tatsuta-age and wafu pasta. The authors provide step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs, making it easy for readers to recreate these dishes at home. The book also explores the history and global influences behind each dish, adding an extra layer of depth to the culinary experience.

Japan: The Vegetarian Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu is a must-have for anyone who loves vegetables. With over 250 healthy and delicious Japanese vegetarian recipes, this book is perfect for those who follow a plant-based diet or wish to reduce their meat and fish intake. The recipes are divided by cooking style and accompanied by expert knowledge on ingredients, culture, and traditions of Japanese cuisine. The book is gorgeously produced with lush photography and extensive notes on ingredients and methods. Overall, this is an extraordinary cookbook that offers an expansive exploration of an ancient heritage and is a terrific addition to any cooking reference library.

The Anime Chef Cookbook is a must-have for anime fans and food lovers alike. With 75 easy-to-follow recipes, readers can recreate iconic dishes from their favorite anime series. Nadine Estero, a popular anime food creator, has captured the essence of these favorite food moments. The book features stunning anime-style food illustrations and information about the episodes that feature the foods, making it a truly immersive experience. From traditional Japanese favorites to inventive recreations, this book has something for everyone. The Anime Chef Cookbook is a unique and fun addition to any cookbook collection.

The Studio Ghibli Cookbook: Unofficial Recipes Inspired by Spirited Away, Ponyo, and More! offers over 20 recipes inspired by the food scenes in Studio Ghibli films. From the sumptuous bento in My Neighbor Totoro to the red bean buns in Spirited Away, this cookbook provides a must-have culinary tribute to the studio's greatest masterpieces. The book includes easy-to-follow recipes for chefs of all levels and stunning, full-color photos of the finished dishes. This cookbook is a perfect gift for Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki enthusiasts and a great addition to any food and wine book collection.

Let's Make Ramen!: A Comic Book Cookbook is a unique and playful cookbook that combines comics and accessible ramen recipes for home cooks. The book provides more than 40 recipes for everything you need to make the perfect bowl at home, including broths, noodles, and toppings. The authors also share preparation shortcuts and provide insights into Japanese culinary traditions and cultural insights from eminent ramen figures. This book is ideal for beginners, seasoned cooks, and armchair chefs alike. Overall, Let's Make Ramen! is an inviting introduction to one of Japan's most popular and iconic dishes.

The Sushi Cookbook for Beginners by Chika Ravitch is a comprehensive guide that teaches the art of sushi making with 100 beginner-friendly recipes. The book covers everything from classic Tuna Rolls to nontraditional options like Spicy Fried Mozzarella Rolls, all featuring readily available ingredients. The author provides advice on selecting high-quality ingredients, preparing them to perfection, and essential kitchen tools like a sushi-rolling mat and rice paddle. The book also includes a healthy mix of classic seafood and vegetarian options. Overall, this cookbook is an excellent resource for anyone looking to create delicious sushi at home.

Momofuku: A Cookbook is a New York Times bestseller that revolutionized cooking in America and beyond, thanks to the bold Asian flavors and impeccable ingredients used by Chef David Chang. In this book, he shares the story and recipes behind the Momofuku restaurants in New York City, Toronto, and Sydney, including the coveted pork buns. Chang's rise to superstardom is also candidly recounted. This cookbook is a must-read for anyone who loves food and wants to learn more about Japanese cooking. Published by Clarkson Potter, it offers a unique perspective on modern-day culinary landscape.

Rintaro is a must-have for anyone who loves Japanese food. Sylvan Mishima Brackett's debut cookbook beautifully translates the experience of a Tokyo izakaya to the home kitchen. With over 70 recipes, the book offers inspiration and detailed instruction in equal measure, from making homemade udon noodles to plumb the depths of true comfort in food with recipes like its curry rice. Brackett's deeply ingrained aesthetic sense and thoughtful attention to detail come through in every page. This book is a masterful blend of careful mastery and pure delight, encouraging readers to find the beauty in their own terroir and the heart in their own cooking.

Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai'i [A Cookbook] by Alana Kysar is a beautiful cookbook featuring 85 fresh and sunny recipes that reflect the cultural diversity of local Hawaiʻi food. From plate lunch to shave ice, Kysar introduces the history and geographic origins of beloved dishes like saimin, loco moco, and shoyu chicken. The book also includes transporting photography and engaging writing that paints an intimate and enlightening portrait of Hawaiʻi's cultural heritage. Overall, Aloha Kitchen is an eye-opening introduction to the rich tradition of local Hawaiian cuisine and a must-have for anyone interested in exploring the multiethnic culture and food history of Hawaii.