17 Japanese Vegetarian Recipes For Dinner

Want to discover some new vegetarian recipes? Here are 17 simple, tasty Japanese-style dishes that will make your mouth water.

"Eating meat makes me feel heavy", "I always cook the same dish, and it's not healthy for me", "I want to cut down on animal products", etc

Whether you're looking to go meatless or need some new ideas, these vegetarian-friendly options will be sure to fit the bill!

This recipe is for you if:
• You love Japanese recipes
• You are looking for vegetarian recipes
• You want to make meatless dinner
• You are looking for new vegetarian dinner ideas

I put together a collection of Chef JA Cooks's simple and easy vegetarian recipes, so let's dive in!

Jump to:

• About This Recipe
• Meat substitute
• List of Vegetarian dinner recipes
• Tofu Dishes
• Soy Meat Dishes
• Tempeh Dishes
• Rice Dishes
• And More!
• What to serve with?
• Thanks for stopping by!
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

About This Recipe

• Japanese vegetarian recipes
• Plant-based protein
• Vegetarian dinner ideas
• All recipes are simple and easy to follow

Meat substitute

There are many classic recipes with meat in Japan, like curry rice, hambagu (hamburger steak), karrage (fried chicken), gyoza, etc.

And It's easy to convert them into meatless recipes.

You can pull out the meat from these recipes or replace it with plant-based protein!

Let me show you the plant-based protein option below.

Plant-based Protein

Here is a list of meat substitutes that I use in my vegetarian recipes.

• Tofu
• Aburaage (Deep fried thin tofu)
• Atsuage (Deep fried thick tofu)
• Natto (Fermented soybeans)
• Koya dofu (Frezen-dried tofu)
• Soy meat
• Tempeh (Fermented soybeans)
• Kurumafu (Wheat gluten)
• Lentil
• Soybeans
• Chickpeas
• Azuki beans

Tofu is the greatest! It's versatile and easy to cook. If you want a chewier texture, try these firmer kinds of tofu, such as Aburaage, Atsuage, or Koydofu.

Natto and tempeh are both fermented soybeans and super healthy ingredients.

If you are not familiar with natto, see How to Eat Natto, where I show you easy ways to cook with it.

Tempeh is an Indonesian food, so it's not easy to find in Japan, but I love its textured and flavorful taste. It's also versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.

(I use most of these ingredients except aburaage, kurumafu, lentil, chickpeas, and azuki beans in these recipes below.)

List of Vegetarian dinner recipes

Now, I will show you 17 vegetarian recipes, most of them with plant-based protein. There's a huge variety of flavors and textures to suit every appetite!

If you find a recipe that sounds good, please give it a try, and please leave me feedback in the "Leave a comment" section below!

Here is the list:

• Tofu Hambagu
• Japanese-style Mabo Dofu
• Teriyaki Tofu and Mushrooms
• Tofu Stuffed Napa Cabbage Rolls
• Tofu Quiche
• Fried Koyadofu
• Soy Meat Karaage
• Soy Meat Hambagu
• Tempeh Karaage
• Tempeh Teriyaki Stir-fry
• Tempeh Shogayaki
• Vegetable Curry
• Tempeh Dry Curry
• Chickpea Ketchup Rice
• Natto Chahan
• Vegetable Gyoza
• Fried Shiitake and Eggplant

Tofu Dishes

Tofu Hambagu

This healthy Tofu Hambagu is made from 100% tofu. It's a great dish for vegetarians who love Japanese food but still want to enjoy the taste of hamburger steak with their favorite sauce!

Make this recipe: Tofu Hambagu

Japanese-style Mabo Dofu

This Mabo Dofu is Japanese-style mapo tofu made with a light and gentle blend of seasonings that creates an appetizing flavor. You won't find anything too spicy, but the dish still has enough heat to create a satisfying meal for everyone in your family!

Make this recipe: Japanese-style Mabo Dofu

Teriyaki Tofu and Mushrooms

This Teriyaki tofu and mushrooms is a healthy and hearty main dish. Crispy tofu and teriyaki sauce are the best matches.

Make this recipe: Teriyaki Tofu and Mushrooms

Tofu Stuffed Napa Cabbage Rolls

These napa cabbage rolls are made by wrapping tofu fillings with tender napa cabbage and simmering it. It's hearty and so delicious!

Make this recipe: Tofu Stuffed Napa Cabbage Rolls

Tofu Quiche

The perfect meal for any vegetarian! This Tofu Quiche has plenty of vegetables and soy-based protein to make it filling without the meat.

Make this recipe: Tofu Quiche

Fried Koyadofu

Fried koyadofu is a Japanese tonkatsu (fried pork) style recipe, and It's a healthy vegetarian dish that will make you feel just as satisfied. If you're looking to make something new or just enjoy tasty food that's healthy too then try this recipe out!

Make this recipe: Fried Koyadofu

Soy Meat Dishes

Soy Meat Karaage

This mouthwatering vegan soy meat karaage is made from marinating soy meat chunks before deep-frying them. If you are vegan but love a flavorful and meaty dish, this recipe is for you!

Make this recipe: Soy Meat Karaage

Soy Meat Hambagu

The perfect dish for vegetarians, I will show you how to make a vegetarian soy meat hambagu. It is fluffy but has a firm, meaty texture, and you won't believe it's meatless! Give this one a try!

Make this recipe: Soy Meat Hambagu

Tempeh Dishes

Tempeh karaage

This is a Japanese-style tempeh dish, Vegan Tempeh Karaage. Marinate the piece of tempeh in homemade sauce and fry it. Simple but super tasty recipe!

Make this recipe: Tempeh Karaage

Tempeh Teriyaki Stir-fry

This tempeh stir fry is a Japanese-style teriyaki flavor dish. It's tasty, healthy, and easy to make in under 15 minutes.

Make this recipe: Tempeh Teriyaki Stir-fry

Tempeh Shogayaki

This is an easy marinated tempeh shogayaki with a Japanese flavor. Shogayaki is similar to teriyaki but the marinade includes ginger. It's a great main dish that goes well with Japanese sticky rice.

Make this recipe: Tempeh Shogayaki

Rice Dishes

Vegetable Curry

The Japanese curry rice is creamy, starchy, and easy for a family dinner. The dish usually contains meat, but this vegetable curry has plenty of vegetables to make it vegan or vegetarian. Let's learn how!

Make this recipe: Vegetable Curry

Tempeh Dry Curry

Healthy Japanese-style dry curry with chopped tempeh instead of meat. It's an easy and simple recipe even if you are not familiar with tempeh.

Make this recipe: Tempeh Dry Curry

Chickpea Ketchup Rice

If you want something quick and easy, this chickpea ketchup rice is perfect for you. All it takes is just stir-frying vegetables, chickpeas, rice, and seasoning with ketchup. It's ready in under 15 minutes!

Make this recipe: Chickpea Ketchup Rice

Natto Chahan

Natto chahan is the best way to enjoy natto and rice. It's an easy lunch you can make in no time!

Make this recipe: Natto Chahan

And More!

Vegetable Gyoza

This is our family's favorite recipe, the Japanese vegetable gyoza. It requires only vegetables, but it's delicious, flavorful, and so crispy. You might be surprised that it's meatless!

Make this recipe: Vegetable Gyoza

Fried Shiitake and Eggplant

Panko-crusted fried eggplant and shiitake mushrooms are mouthwatering easy recipes. These are crispy juicy, and will make your taste buds happy!

Make this recipe: Fried Shiitake and Eggplant

What to serve with?

You are not sure what to serve with?

I highly recommend serving a simple and easy soup like a miso soup, which will complete your healthy dinner.

Also, adding more color ingredients to your plate can help satisfy cravings and increase enjoyment.

Here are some ideas:

Japanese-Style Vegetarian Dinner #1

• Soy Meat Hambagu
• Steamed Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Spaghetti Salad
• Japanese short-grain rice
• Miso Soup (Egg, scallions, harusame noodles)

Japanese-Style Vegetarian Dinner #2

• Tempeh Teriyaki Stir-fry
• Tamagoyaki with Scallions
• Cucumber Asazuke with Shiokombu
• Tomatoes
• Japanese Short-grain Rice
• Zucchini and Harusame Noodles Soup

Japanese-Style Vegetarian Dinner #3

• Fried Eggplant and Shiitake Mushrooms
• Green Pepper Gomaae
• Cabbage and Carrot Salad
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Japanese Short-grain Rice
• Miso Soup (Eringi mushrooms, wakame)

Thanks for stopping by!

Did you find a recipe that you want to try? Each one includes step-by-step photos and videos, so please take a look at them!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡. If you’ve tried this recipe(or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!

Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!

Chef JA Cooks is a Japanese food blog that shares simple and healthy Japanese home cooking recipes, including vegan and vegetarian. From traditional Japanese recipes to modern recipes with step-by-step instructions.

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