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

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.

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.

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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FAQs

Is Japanese food mostly 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.

Keep Reading ›

Is soy sauce in Japan gluten-free? ›

Another common ingredient in Japanese cuisine containing gluten is soy sauce, which serves not only as a condiment but as a base to a range of sauces and seasonings. Dashi, a flavor enhancer to most broths in Japan, contains gluten and so do most modern versions of miso.

Are soba noodles gluten-free in Japan? ›

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. They are also relatively high in protein and fiber.

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Is Daif*cku gluten-free? ›

A: Daif*cku—mochi with red bean paste—is made from rice flour or arrowroot flour and is naturally gluten free. So, any daif*cku sold at a specialty vendor is fine. However, daif*cku sold at convenience stores contain wheat, most likely to cheaply thicken the red bean paste.

Get More Info Here ›

Can a celiac go to Japan? ›

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.

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Do Japanese people get celiac disease? ›

I'll start off by saying that the reason that it can be difficult to find suitable food is because gluten intolerance/coeliac disease is incredibly uncommon in Japan, this could be due to genetics or environment, and therefore, it just hasn't had the need to be catered for.

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Does miso soup have gluten? ›

Most miso paste—the main ingredient in miso soup—is gluten free because the koji used is made with rice. But some miso paste, such as mugi miso, uses koji made with barley. And some packaged miso soup may also contain wheat gluten to give it body.

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Is Japanese rice high in gluten? ›

Even Asian or sticky rice, also called “glutinous rice,” is gluten-free, despite its name.

Read On ›

Does rice in Japan have gluten? ›

Rice is a central part of the Japanese diet, and glutinous – meaning 'sticky', not containing gluten – short grain rice is the most common variety. However, watch out for zakkoku-mai (rice cooked with barley, oats, and other grains), which is not gluten-free.

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Are yakisoba gluten-free? ›

Yakisoba is a Japanese dish that literally means "fried noodles". It's one of my absolute favourite Japanese dishes, and it's not hard to create gluten free (and vegan). Something quite lucky about soba noodles is that they are traditionally made out of pure buckwheat, meaning that they are naturally gluten free.

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Does teriyaki have gluten? ›

Is Teriyaki Sauce Gluten-Free? Traditionally, teriyaki sauce is made with soy sauce, which is not gluten-free because it contains wheat. To replace soy sauce in this recipe, we used its cousin: tamari. Tamari and soy sauce are both made from fermented soybeans, but tamari doesn't usually contain wheat.

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Does omurice have gluten? ›

Omurice (Japanese Omelet Rice): Inspired by Spy x Family (gluten free)

Does mochi have gluten? ›

Enter mochi, a Japanese treat that is made from mochiko, or glutinous rice flour (which is naturally gluten-free, despite its name). Mochi possesses an addictive elastic texture with a bounce that feels decadently carby.

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Can you get gluten free mochi? ›

Since these adzuki beans mochi are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and corn-free, they're safe for most folks to eat! Wholesome & Nutritious. While these Japanese mochi are intended as a dessert, they're actually pretty darn virtuous.

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What is udon gluten free? ›

Our Organic Brown Udon Rice Noodles are made gluten-free by replacing wheat with organic brown rice. These popular Japanese-style noodles are plump and toothsome with a mild nutty taste.