What We Eat for Dinner in Japan for One Week

Wondering what a family in Japan eats for dinner? Here are seven real Japanese dinners I made throughout the week. In Part 1, I shared my grocery haul, and here you’ll see how I turned those ingredients into a full week of family meals.

Watch the Video

Watch the video below to see how I made each meal!

Coming soon.

Now let’s look at seven family dinners, including the estimated cost for each day.

How I Plan a Week of Family Dinners

First, I choose the main dish. Then I plan a few side dishes that balance the flavor and texture of the main. For example, if the main dish is rich or strongly seasoned, I may add fresh vegetables, tofu, or a light salad.

I try to use the freshest vegetables and ingredients with the shortest shelf life first. I also make soup with dinner most days, usually miso soup.

By the middle of the week, leftovers begin to build up, so I often turn them into something new instead of serving the same dishes again.

The weather also helps me decide what to cook. On hot days, I may make cold noodles, chilled tofu, or refreshing vegetable dishes. On cooler days, I lean toward warm soups and simmered dishes.

Quick Recap

This was a realistic look at seven dinners I made for my family of four in Japan. I hope it gives you some inspiration for making dinners at home.

In case you missed it, check out Part 1 to see everything I bought in my weekly grocery haul.

Do you enjoy this type of content? Let me know in the comments below!