21 of Marion’s best ever Japanese recipes

My simple version of Japanese donburi utilises all your regular pantry ingredients, meaning no trip to the Asian grocer needed for this one! Comforting, satisfying and full of savoury goodness.

How to make a tonkatsu even better? Make it spicy! These pork cutlets are both fiery and fabulous. Super simple, uber flavourful and always comforting, this one is a true taste of Japan in just one dish.

Whoever heard of ramen in, like, 15 minutes? Well here it is, my friends. Noodles, spicy pork, a rich creamy broth… you guys, this ramen dish is ALL the things and FASTER than your average ramen.

Take some ordinary beef mince and some regular potatoes… and turn them into something extraordinary.  These are crunchy, crispy, flavour-packed croquettes the whole family will love! Simple but fabulous, this is meat and potatoes like never before.

This is truly THE ultimate rice bowl! Tuck into juicy, crumbed pork encased in a silky egg omelette, with gorgeously glossy teriyaki sauce to top it off, thanks to my version of the Japanese classic.

Homemade chicken curry is just so comforting.I love the rich, savoury flavours. The key here is the roux – this one is made from scratch using natural ingredients, and it’s beautifully spiced and warming.

Not your average noodle soup! This is my recipe for a flavourful, restaurant-style Japanese shoyu ramen! This chicken ramen soup broth is so jam-packed with umami goodness that you’ll want the whole pot to yourself. I like to serve it with my homemade chashu pork belly, but you can add any protein of your choice

Crispy, crumbed and juicy pork smooshed in between soft white bread and slathered in tangy barbecue sauce… this Japanese katsu sando is the best sandwich ever! Say goodbye to boring sarnies with this so-satisfying option – guaranteed to become a firm favourite.

Basic steak and veg begone! This is one steak dinner with a twist. Juicy strips of teriyaki beef, tender rice, charred veggies, a soft egg and some seriously good sprinkles… this one’s a bowl of pure happiness.

Get ready for an epic ramen broth that’s a lot quicker than you think to rustle up, yet packs in serious flavour and richness. Yep, this express version of Japanese ramen noodle soup ticks all the boxes… and it’s got dumplings! Everything you need, in one bowl of goodness.

The crunch! The crackle! The juiciness! This bite-sized chicken karaage – aka Japanese-style fried chicken – is pure bliss. Add a creamy yet tangy potato salad and this is a recipe for success. And guess what? Not only is potato starch the traditional coating to use, but it’s also gluten-free.

This Japanese rice bowl is the ultimate comfort food – and that silky, onsen egg is so soft, it really does ooze into everything. Feel free to leave it off or substitute with a fried version if runny eggs aren’t your thing, although I reckon it makes it even more epic!

The whole family will love this better-for-you chicken katsu that’s on the table in just 40 minutes. Golden crumbed chicken is baked, not fried, then smothered in Japanese tonkatsu sauce and served with a fresh, tangy coleslaw.

Now THIS is real Japanese comfort food, Japanese-style curry is typically eaten as curry katsu (a curry sauce with rice and either sliced, crumbed chicken or pork) but is excellent in a soup iteration for thick, chewy udon noodles, boosted with chicken mince and finished with a whole raft of fun and delish toppings.

My take on Japanese okonomiyaki pancakes are packed full of greens and good stuff, and the result is a batch of fritters anyone would be happy to eat, any day of the week. Delicious AND nutritious.

I’m going out on a limb guys – I reckon this is THE best eggplant dish I know. It’s just so silky, tender and rich, with a perfect hit of chili to tie it all together. If you’re a miso-fanatic looking to master a meat-free dish or a vegetable side, then look no further.

Double-cooked fried chicken wings are twice as nice, in my opinion! These Japanese-style Nagoya wings are all crunch, with a delightfully light glaze that keeps things crispy and joyous.

Beautiful pork cutlets in a sticky, glossy sauce with fresh nashi pear and a zingy ‘slaw… this is a one-pan dinner that truly sings! It’s simple, speedy and downright delicious. Can’t get a hold of nashi pear? Green apple works just as well.

A crispy, crumbed chicken cutlet served with a lightly spiced, sweet curry sauce – guys, my homemade version of a Japanese katsu is so good! This recipe is super easy, and the great thing is if you’re a heat-lover, you can tweak things by adding chilli flakes at the end.

Birria tacos may have taken the world by storm when they became a viral internet sensation, but we’ve put our own twist on things. We’ve added the king of carbs: noodles! This birria recipe sees the Mexican spiced and braised soup enjoy a few Japanese-style ramen twists at the end. You’ll want in, trust.

If you’re a sucker for soft, pillowy, aesthetically pleasing bread, this one’s for you! Not only is this homemade milk bread light, fluffy and highly comforting, but its vibrant purple hue brings an element of fun to the table.