15 Gluten-Free Japanese Recipes (2024)

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From main dishes, snacks to desserts, you can now enjoy your favorite dishes at home with these delicious gluten-free Japanese recipes and ideas

15 Gluten-Free Japanese Recipes (1)

I have to admit that I had little knowledge about gluten free eating until I started receiving requests from readers who either had gluten intolerance themselves, or were cooking for a family member on a gluten-free diet.

Since rice is the staple of Japanese cuisine, it may seem relatively easy to swap out certain ingredients like soy sauce and still enjoy the majority of the foods. But, wheat protein is still prevalent in a large proportion of Japanese foods. Popular Japanese dishes like soba and udon noodles, tempura, karaage, katsu, Japanese curry and so on often contain wheat.

Hearing how much you missed some of these foods, I started to tinker with gluten-free recipes in the hope to give you the opportunity to enjoy them again. To my delight, some of these gluten-free recipes turned out to be so good that I decided to use the same preparations in the future.

Here I’ve compiled a list of 15 delicious gluten-free Japanese recipes that I hope will come in handy when your cravings hit.Let me know in the comments below if you wish to see more gluten-free recipes on Just One Cookbook!

15 Delicious Gluten-Free Japanese Recipes

1. Gluten Free Karaage グルテンフリー唐揚げ

This is probably one of the most craved Japanese dishes for those on a gluten-free diet! Using rice flour and gluten-free soy sauce, you can now recreate one of the best JapaneseGluten Free Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) at home. My recipe will show you how to make them just as crunchy and juicy as the original recipe.

2. Easy Wafu Pasta with Shrimp and Asparagus 海老とアスパラガスの簡単和風パスタ

There was a time when you have to say goodbye to comfort bowls of pasta if you were on a gluten-free diet. Well, not anymore! Paired with succulent shrimp and asparagus, this Japanese-style wafu pasta uses gluten-free pasta and soy sauce for a satisfying dinner. It’s an easy yet lovely dinner you want to serve up on a Friday night with a bottle of wine.

3. Takikomi Gohan (Japanese Mixed Rice) 炊き込みご飯

Made with seasonal ingredients, Takikomi Gohan is a rustic yet comforting Japanese mixed rice recipe. You’d want to add this to your meal prep rotation.

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4. Steak Salad with Shoyu Dressing ステーキサラダと醤油ドレッシング

This Japanese-inspired Steak Salad with Shoyu Dressing is hands-down my favorite salad when I need a little extra protein and iron in a bowl of greens. The gluten-free shoyu dressing is so good and versatile that it can be used to dress up just about every protein imagine.

5. Poke Bowl

Speaking of a well-composed rice bowl, try this delicious Tuna and Salmon Poke Bowl recipe at home. There is plenty of ideas on how to build a fantastic poke bowl for your DIY Poke Party.

6. Gluten Free Baked Chicken Katsu グルテンフリー揚げないチキンカツ

100% gluten free, I was most surprised how well this Baked Chicken Katsu turned out! The extra crunchy breading around the juicy chicken cutlet makes it a real treat for someone who’s been craving for fried foods. Enjoy with homemade ponzu and grated daikon.

7. Gluten Free Tempura グルテンフリーの天ぷら

Yes to Gluten Free Tempura with crispy batter! The batter is made with just three simple ingredients: rice flour, egg, and water. Not sure about deep frying at home? Not to worry, I’ve shareda few tips that willhelp you nail down the frying process and make incredibly crunchy tempura.

8. Salmon in Foil 鮭のホイル焼き

Looking for a simple yet wholesome dish you can enjoy regularly? Try this flavorful Salmon in Foil recipe. You get omega 3 from the salmon and plenty of nutrients and fibre from the vegetables in a package, literally!

9. Honey Sesame Shirataki Noodles

Cold and refreshing, this Shirataki Noodles with Honey Sesame Dressing isa perfect guilt-free summer noodle to enjoy. Not only it’s gluten-free, it’s also low in calories. The delicious toppings make a difference.

10. Eggplant Agebitashi茄子の揚げ浸し

Do you adore eggplant? This Eggplant Agebitashi could be your new favorite for eggplant recipes. The long, slender Japanese eggplant is first deep-fried until crispy browned, then soaked in a flavorful dashi and soy sauce based broth.

11. Sanpeijiru 三平汁

A well-rounded bowl of soup can often save the day, especially the ones loaded with nutrients like this salmon and vegetable soup –Sanpeijiru. This popular soup from Hokkaido features salted salmon and a variety of root vegetables and cooked in kombu dashi broth. It’s so delicious with steamed rice.

12. Corn Potage コーンポタージュ

This creamy and smooth Japanese-style corn potage (or corn soup) makes use of the in-season sweet corn. The ingredients are simple, and it’s packed with natural sweetness. Enjoy hot or chilled.

13. Tofu Pudding (Blancmange) 豆腐プリン

Sometimes it can be tricky to prepare desserts for someone who is gluten-sensitive. For something simple yet impressive, try this Soft silken Tofu Pudding (Blancmange) dessert made with tofu, honey, gelatin, and soy milk. Topped with a sweet-tart strawberry sauce, this pudding makes a healthy and elegant dessert choice to serve. Did I say it’s low-calorie too?

14. Rice Cracker かき餅

If you prefer savory snack, homemade Japanese rice crackers are a fun one to make. You can choose to flavor it with salt, gluten-free soy sauce or your choice of seasonings.

15. Yatsuhashi 八ツ橋

Made with a mixture of glutinous rice flour, regular rice flour and soy bean flour with a red bean paste filling, Yatsuhashi is the most popular Japanese sweet from Kyoto. I highly recommend this one if you wish to venture to something more unique and traditional.

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More Gluten-Free Recipes?

I hope you enjoy making these delicious gluten-freerecipes at home. If you are looking for more recipe ideas, click here to get inspiration! Thank you so much for reading and till next time!

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15 Gluten-Free Japanese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can celiacs eat in Japan? ›

Traditional Gluten-Free Japanese Cuisine
  • Rice.
  • Mochi (including sweet versions)
  • Yakitori, aka chicken skewers (without soy sauce)
  • Onigiri, a rice ball with seaweed and filling.
  • Tofu.
  • Eggs.
  • Gluten-free sushi (without any sauce)
  • Buckwheat soba noodles.
Aug 26, 2022

Is it difficult to eat gluten-free in Japan? ›

Japanese cuisine is hard for coeliacs, as soy sauce is pretty much the key ingredient in everything savoury you'll see. My first and very important tip – bring your own tamari! I brought a big bottle with me in my checked luggage and used it on pretty much everything I ate.

Is Japanese cooking gluten-free? ›

Unfortunately Japanese food is also rife with wheat, using considerable amounts of soy sauce, barley, and wheat flour, and even basic sushi rice often includes a grain-based vinegar that blends barley malt or wheat with rice vinegar, which is a no-go for celiacs.

Does Japan have gluten-free noodles? ›

Japanese cuisine frequently uses soba noodles, also known as buckwheat noodles. They are made from buckwheat flour and are naturally gluten-free. In Japan, gluten-free soba noodles, which have a nutty and earthy flavor, are used in both hot and cold noodle dishes.

How common is celiac disease in Japan? ›

Celiac disease has a mean frequency of around 1% in the general population in Europe and North America,2 making it an important “common” condition in Western countries. However, it is considered a rare disease in Japan, where recognition and awareness of this condition among pediatricians may be low.

How hard is it to be celiac in Japan? ›

Japan, 日本 It's easy to think of Japan as a coeliac's dream because of the natural everyday foods and healthy diet of the Japanese people. However the reality is that a lot of the food is covered in soy sauce, processed with wheat and the knowledge of gluten allergies/cross contamination is relatively low.

Are McDonald's fries in Japan gluten-free? ›

Pretty much the only dedicated gluten free is the french fries, in fact all Japanese McDonald's fries are gluten free. Otherwise there's some salad and yogurt and a few other menu sides to choose from. Fries were hot, salty, and Celiac safe.

What country eats the least gluten? ›

Netherlands – This health-conscious European country is great for gluten-free travelers. You'll find a wide variety of cuisines and many people understand the gluten-free diet. Colombia – Another country where corn is king, many Colombian dishes are corn- and rice-based.

What country has the most gluten intolerance? ›

The highest prevalence rate of celiac disease worldwide has been reported in North Africa. There is evidence that the prevalence rates of celiac disease in parts of North India are comparable to those in the West; celiac disease has also been reported among South Asian immigrants in the United Kingdom.

Is Japan good for celiacs? ›

Eating gluten-free in Japan, in general, can be challenging, as many Japanese dishes contain wheat-based ingredients such as soy sauce, miso, fried foods, and noodles. Even sushi can be risky if you're unsure of the vinegar used to season the rice.

Is miso soup in Japan gluten-free? ›

Miso soup is not typically gluten-free since it depends on the type of miso paste used. There are gluten-free versions of miso that you can buy. Just look for the gluten-free label and you can use it to make your miso soup gluten-free.

Do Japanese dumplings have gluten? ›

Even vegetable gyoza or vegan gyoza still tend to be fried or deep-fried, making gyoza not a great healthy choice. The wonton wrappers are "empty carbs" that contain gluten and wheat flour.

Is udon or soba gluten-free? ›

Udon, being made primarily from wheat flour, is a good source of carbohydrates, while Soba, made from buckwheat, is a good source of protein and fibre. Buckwheat is also typically gluten-free, making Soba a suitable option for people with gluten intolerance, while Udon noodles contain gluten.

Can celiacs eat soba noodles? ›

Soba noodles are traditionally made with buckwheat flour (which, contrary to the name, is actually gluten-free). However, soba noodles regularly also contain wheat flour. We do know that Eden Foods brand of soba noodles does not add wheat flour (so they are gluten-free).

Is Japanese Yum Yum sauce gluten-free? ›

Great as a dipping sauce. The original Japanese steak/chicken/shrimp sauce. Gluten free. The best sauce ever.

Can I eat bread in Japan if I'm gluten-free? ›

Since most people in Japan aren't even aware of the concept of a gluten intolerance, it's unlikely for bakeries to carry gluten-free bread unless they specialize in it, and while there are some restaurants in Tokyo that advertise gluten-free options, it's definitely rare.

Are Japanese snacks gluten-free? ›

Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, is present in many popular Japanese snacks such as Pocky, Umaibo, dorayaki, and manju. However, those on a gluten-free diet still have plenty of sweet and savory Japanese snacks to choose from.

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