Easy Japanese Ingredient Substitutes

Are you excited to cook Japanese dishes but can’t find the traditional ingredients in your local grocery store? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this post, I’ll share common Japanese ingredients and beginner-friendly substitutes using pantry staples or readily available alternatives to help you enjoy Japanese cooking without stress!

Must-Have or Hard-to-Substitute Ingredients

Before we talk about alternatives, these two ingredients are essential—you’ll want to find them if you can!

Soy Sauce

There’s no true substitute for soy sauce—it’s the backbone of Japanese cooking. It adds saltiness, umami, and depth to almost every dish, from soups to stir-fries.

Miso Paste

Miso is a fermented soybean paste that’s deeply savory and full of umami. It’s used in soups, sauces, dressings, and more. Nothing else quite matches its complexity, but the good news is, you can make your own miso using soybeans, salt, and koji.

Pantry & Seasoning Substitutes

Mirin

Substitute: Sugar + sake or white wine (ratio 1:3)
Notes: Mirin adds sweetness and depth to sauces, like teriyaki. You can also use honey instead of sugar.
Recipes using mirin: Teriyaki Mushroom Rice Bowl, Tofu Donburi, Nitamago

Sake

Substitute: Dry white wine + a pinch of sugar
Notes: Sake enhances the flavor and aroma of your dish.
Recipes using sake: Kombu Takikomi Gohan, Konnyaku Dengaku, Vegetable Yakisoba

Dashi Powder

Substitute: Vegetable broth + kombu or dried shiitake or dried tomatoes
Notes: Dried ingredients add a natural umami flavor, which makes them a great base for soups or simmered dishes.
Recipes using dashi powder: Tofu Miso Soup, Wakame Miso Soup, Vegan Barley Soup

Rice Vinegar

Substitute: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
Notes: Add a pinch of sugar to mimic rice vinegar’s mild sweetness.
Recipes using rice vinegar: Oshinko Sushi Roll, Napa Cabbage Slaw, Tomato and Onion Salad

Kombu (Kelp)

Substitute: Dried wakame or skip it
Notes: Wakame has a similar chewy texture.
Recipes using kombu: Kombu Tsukudani, Hot-Brewed Kombu Dashi, Vegetarian Oden

Shio Koji

Substitute: Salt + a pinch of sugar
Notes: Adds gentle umami and sweetness. Use in marinades or dressings.
Recipes using shio koji: Tomato and Avocado Salad, Pickled Daikon, Nimono Recipe

Shio Kombu

Substitute: Salt + dashi powder
Notes: Shio kombu brings a sweet and savory taste. Great for sprinkling on rice, tofu, or veggies.
Recipes using shio kombu: Pickled Cucumbers, Shio Kombu Takikomi Gohan, Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Soy Milk

Substitute: Oat milk, almond milk, or regular milk
Notes: Use unsweetened, plain versions for soups, sauces, or desserts.
Recipes using soy milk: Tamagoyaki, Creamy Sweet Potato Soup, Cream Stew Recipe

Atsuage (Fried Tofu)

Substitute: Firm tofu or frozen tofu
Notes: Freezing tofu gives it a chewier, meatier texture—great for stir-fries or simmered dishes.
Recipes using atsuage: Teriyaki Atsuage Recipe, Daikon Nimono with Atsuage, Vegan Udon Soup

Japanese Mayonnaise

Substitute: Mix regular mayo + rice vinegar + a pinch of sugar + mustard
Notes: Adds the tang and umami of Japanese-style mayo—perfect for salads or rice bowls.
Recipes using Japanese mayo: Miso Mayo, Creamy Kabocha Salad, Tuna Mayo Onigiri

Vegetables

Gobo (Burdock Root)

Substitute: Carrot or daikon peel
Notes: Similar earthy flavor and crunchy texture—perfect for kinpira-style stir-fry.
Recipes using gobo: Kinpira Gobo

Satsumaimo (Sweet Potato)

Substitute: Regular sweet potato or kabocha squash
Notes: Roast or steam to bring out the sweet, dense texture.
Recipes using satsumaimo: Sweet Potato Tempura, Sweet Potato Miso Soup, Yaki Imo

Daikon Radish

Substitute: White turnips
Notes: White turnip has a similar mild, peppery flavor and works well in soups or pickles.
Recipes using daikon: Fried Daikon, Vegetarian Daikon Soup, Daikon & Lentil Curry

Shiitake Mushrooms

Substitute: Portobello, cremini, or oyster mushrooms
Notes: All have a similar umami depth and chewy bite.
Recipes using shiitake mushrooms: Shiitake Mushroom Pasta, Savory Roasted Shiitake, Mushroom Takikomi Gohan

Shiso Leaf

Substitute: Thai basil, mint, or parsley
Notes: Shiso has a very unique flavor, so use a light hand with these alternatives.
Recipes using shiso: Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu Recipe), Cold Udon Noodles

By using simple swaps like these, you can start enjoying homemade Japanese dishes even if you can’t access a Japanese grocery store. Would you like a printable version of this list? Sign up for my newsletter below and download the list!