28 Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets 2023

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Is the kitchen your favorite place in the house? Then you gotta have these best Japanese kitchen gadgets to make cooking a breeze! The kitchen for me is a heavenly place that lets me whip up delicious dishes. You will love these best Japanese kitchen gadgets.

Why? These Japanese kitchen gadgets help improve your efficiency in the kitchen while also allowing you to have fun with them. These are quite simple tools, really, but they will make your work so much more comfortable in the kitchen.

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets: At A Glance

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets	Best For
Miso Muddler	Miso soup
Taiyaki Pan	Taiyaki
Sushi Making Kit	Sushi
Takoyaki Pan	Takoyaki
Kirin Frozen Beer Slushie Maker	Frozen Beer Cap
Japanese Suribachi and Surikogi	Mixing and Grinding
Bamboo Draining Basket	Draining Liquids
Gyoza Dumpling Press	Dumplings
Tamagoyaki Pan	Breakfast and bento
Donabe Hot Pot	Hot pot

With these kitchen gadgets, the cleaning process also becomes less messy and cooking a lot more fun. So, are you ready to find out some of the best Japanese kitchen gadgets? You will be thanking us later for these!

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets

Miso Muddler

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets For Miso Soup

We love Miso soup, but we can never get it right. We are also not very confident and never quite seem to know how much is too little or too much. Our paste also does not dissolve too well. Do you also resonate with these problems? If so, then you would love this handy miso muddler.

It truly is a savior when it comes to making the perfect Miso soup. 

The muddler has two ends, with one side more prominent than the other. You can use the bigger side for heftier portions and the other side for smaller portions. Dip either of the ends into your miso paste and stir until the paste dissolves completely. 

However, you do not have to use this muddler specifically for miso soups only, which is why this is our real favorite. This muddler can be used for pretty much everything else that has paste involved in the cooking process, like stews and curries. 

Key Features:

• The perfect tool to make notable miso soup
• Comes with two ends of two different sizes
• Great for smaller and larger portions
• Helps dissolve the paste completely
• Comes in handy for other dishes as well

Related: When cooking a good knife is extremely important for efficient work. Keep your knives good as new with these knife sharpeners from Japan!

Taiyaki Maker

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets For Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a famous fish-shaped waffle with a sweet red bean paste. It is one of the most famous street foods in Japan. However, we cannot keep traveling to Japan to devour this delicious food, which is why getting this Taiyaki pan is a great decision. 

With this Taiyaki maker, we can make the delicious Taiyakis at home, with our choice of fillings. Some of the most popular sauces include chocolate, custard, and ice cream. 

It is quite easy to make Taiyakis with this pan. All you have to do is get the batter ready, pour it in, close it, and wait for the delicious fish-shaped delights to cook. 

Key Features:

• Lets you make the famous Taiyaki at home
• Get creative with the fillings
• Easy to use and clean
• Great in quality

Related: Best Japanese thermal lunch box

Sushi Making Kit

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets For Perfect Sushi

We all love Sushi, right? But we would all agree that making Sushi is a considerable task that seems almost impossible for many of us. This sushi kit is going to make life so much simpler, especially on days when we are craving delicious Sushis. 

The kit comes with every equipment that you would need to make the perfect sushi rolls. The kit contains a bamboo mat, bamboo chopsticks, spreader, paddle, avocado slicer, sushi knife, chopstick holder, sushi bazooka roller machine, and a cotton bag.

With all these things, you can have your sushi ready in minutes sans the mess. 

Key Features:

• A complete kit to help you make sushi in minutes
• Contains a bamboo mat, bamboo chopsticks, chopstick holder, avocado slicer, paddle, spreader, cotton bag, sushi knife, and a sushi bazooka roller machine
• Affordable and cost-effective, especially when we look at all the items included
• Lets you make the perfect sushi rolls.

Takoyaki Maker

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets For Making Takoyaki

Takoyaki is also known as Octopus balls and is a huge crowd favorite in Japan. The delicious Japanese snack uses a savory batter that features lots of green onions and red ginger. Apart from these, we also add dried shrimp or fried bits of flour known as Tenkasu to the mixture.

Finally, pour the batter on the pan with a piece of octopus getting cooked inside each ball. 

In this Takoyaki maker, you do not have to limit yourself to just making Takoyakis. Go creative and use the pan to make other delicacies such as cake pops, omelet balls, hash browns, and more. 

Key Features:

• An excellent quality pan that lets you make delicious Takoyaki balls
• Can be used for other food items such as cake pops and omelet balls as well
• Easy to use
• Electric

Related: Best Japanese baking tools

Frozen Beer Slushie Maker

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets for Beer Slushie

There are tons of varieties of slushies available that we enjoy, but have you ever heard of a beer slushie? Yes, you read that right. This Kirin Frozen Beer slushie maker turns beer into a whipped, frozen slushie top that helps keep your beer cold for longer.

With the beer slushie maker, you can add a cold frozen beer head to the beer to keep it chilled. How cool is that?

Key Features:

• Helps you create a frozen beer cap for your beer
• Keeps your beer chilled for longer
• Great for hot summer days

Japanese Suribachi and Surikogi (Japanese Motar and Pestle) 

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets for Mixing and Grinding

Japanese Suribachi and Surikogi, or mortar and pestle, is an indispensable part of the kitchen. It is used in a variety of ways, for recipes that involve grinding and mixing. In Japan, Suribachi and Surikogi are most commonly used to grind sesame seeds. 

Surikogi (pestle) is made of wood, which is beneficial as it does not damage the ridged interior of the mortar during the grinding process. If you ask us, this combination is better than the mixers and grinders we use today. With the Suribachi and Surikogi, we get more control over the grinding process.

And guess what? You can also use the mortar and pestle for making the favorite pesto sauce.

Key Features:

• Indispensable part of the kitchen
• Helps you grind and mix with the utmost control
• Most commonly used to grind sesame seeds in Japan
• It can also be used to grind other ingredients and items
• Pestle is made of wood, so it does not harm the mortar
• A great addition to the kitchen

Bamboo Draining Basket (Zaru)

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets for Draining Liquids

The bamboo draining basket is also known as Zaru and is an essential part of the kitchen. It is flat and has a large surface area, which helps water and other liquids drain faster from food. It is because of this reason that food cools off quickly in the basket. 

It is one of the most versatile and durable additions you can make to your kitchen. It can also be used to serve food at the table; it gives a rustic and traditional aesthetic. It is also easy to store as it does not take up a lot of space, unlike other colanders.

Key Features:

• Essential part of the kitchen
• Flat with a large surface area
• Allows water and other liquids to drain quickly
• Food cools off easily and quickly
• Versatile and durable
• Can be used to serve food as well; it gives a rustic vibe
• Storage does not take up a lot of space

Gyoza Press

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets for Dumplings

Have you ever made dumplings? If yes, you would know how time-consuming the whole process is. It can be quite tricky to fold the edges. Folding pleats takes a lot of precision and practice, which is not a fun thing to do when you are hungry and want some dumplings.

That’s where the Gyoza Press makes an entry. It is a simple plastic mold with ridges along the outer edge, but it is this simple gadget that does al the job and makes your life easy.

Simply lay the gyoza wrapper and filling in the press, fold it and push. What comes out is a beautiful dumpling that is ready to be cooked. What took you hours is now only going to take minutes, thanks to this wonderful press.

Key Features:

• Easy tool that lets you make dumplings in minutes
• Simple plastic mold with ridges along the outer edge
• Lay the wrapper with filling, fold it in half and press. It really is as simple as that.
• Takes minutes to make perfect dumplings without a lot of effort

Tamagoyaki Pan

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets for Breakfast and Bento

Tamagoyaki is one of the most popular breakfasts and one of the best options for a traditional Japanese bento box. It is made with eggs, Japanese soy sauce, or sugar. You can also add your own variations to the recipe. In the Tamagoyaki, the eggs cook in a distinctive rectangular shape.

You can use a pair of chopsticks to fold over the eggs to form multiple layers neatly.  

This pan is great if you make tamagoyaki a lot. With this pan, you can easily achieve the standard rectangular shape. The pan is also quite compact and does not take a lot of storage space.

Key Features:

• An exceptional pan that lets you make the popular Japanese breakfast
• Compact design
• Does not take a lot of storage space

Related: Best Japanese washing machines

Donabe Ceramic Pot

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets for Hot pot 

Japanese love hot-pots, and for this hot and steamy delicacy, they use a ceramic pot like this one. The pot is made of special clay that can withstand cooking on an open flame. The pot also remains hot for a long time after it reaches its peak heat point.

It is a versatile pot that can help you cook a vast number of evenly cooked dishes.

Key Features:

• Great for cooking hot pots
• Made of special clay that can withstand cooking on an open flame
• Versatile pot that lets you cook a wide variety of dishes

Japanese Chopsticks

Japanese chopsticks are one of the most essential Japanese kitchen gadgets that is found in every household. Good chopsticks can make eating food very easy and fun. These chopsticks are one of them and are super easy to hold and eat. It’s reusable and made with bamboo.

The best part about this gadget is that I don’t need to put in extra effort to wash it as it’s dishwasher safe. They are 9 inches long which makes them easy to hold a grip on. It also comes in a plastic case where it can be kept safely. 

Key Features:

• Dishwasher safe
•  9 inches long
• Easy grip
• Reusable 
• Comes with a case

Japanese Sake Set

A Japanese Sake set is a must in every Japanese kitchen to serve sake and other beverages. The pot and glasses are made with ceramic material and the colour is extremely beautiful. The decanter and 4 glasses look extremely good and are perfect to serve anything to the guests.

I love how the judge is versatile where you can keep hot and cool, both types of beverages. It comes in two colours black and blue but I got the blue one. It’s also safe to use in the microwave. 

Key Features: 

• Ceramic material 
• Microwave safe
• Dishwasher safe
• Japanese design

Rice Cooker Lunchbox

The Rice Cooker Lunchbox represents a brilliant fusion of traditional Japanese culinary practices with modern convenience. This innovative gadget combines the functions of a rice cooker and a lunchbox, catering to busy lifestyles while preserving the essence of well-cooked rice.

This gadget’s modular design includes a compact rice cooker base and a detachable lunchbox container. Its lightweight nature ensures easy portability, making it perfect for people on the go.

The Rice Cooker Lunchbox not only cooks rice but also prepares accompanying dishes simultaneously. This streamlines meal preparation, saving time and effort.

Many models offer customizable cooking settings, allowing users to tailor their meals to their liking.

Energy Efficiency: Despite its modern features, the gadget remains energy-efficient, aligning with Japanese values of resourcefulness.

Cultural Significance:

Beyond its functional attributes, the Rice Cooker Lunchbox maintains a connection to Japanese culinary heritage. It showcases how technology can enhance traditional practices, creating a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity.

Zojirushi Smart Coffee Maker

The Zojirushi Smart Coffee Maker is a great option for coffee lovers who want a machine that makes consistently delicious coffee with minimal effort. It has a number of features that make it stand out from other coffee makers, including:

• A high brewing temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit: This ensures that your coffee is brewed to the optimal temperature for flavor extraction.
• A pre-infusion cycle: This helps to bloom the coffee grounds and release their oils, resulting in a richer, more flavorful cup of coffee.
• A showerhead showerhead: This ensures that the water is evenly distributed over the coffee grounds, for a more consistent brew.
• A thermal carafe: This keeps your coffee hot for up to 4 hours without burning it.
• A programmable timer: This allows you to set the coffee maker to brew up to 24 hours in advance, so you can wake up to a fresh pot of coffee every morning.
• A keep-warm function: This keeps your coffee warm for up to 2 hours after brewing.
• A clean cycle: This helps to remove any build-up of coffee oils and residue, for easier cleaning.

The Zojirushi Smart Coffee Maker is also very easy to use. Simply add water to the reservoir, add coffee grounds to the filter basket, and select your desired brewing settings. The coffee maker will do the rest!

Overall, the Zojirushi Smart Coffee Maker is a great choice for coffee lovers who want a machine that makes consistently delicious coffee with minimal effort. It is easy to use, has a number of features that make it stand out from other coffee makers, and is built to last.

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Zojirushi Smart Coffee Maker:

Pros:

• Makes consistently delicious coffee
• Easy to use
• Has a number of features that make it stand out from other coffee makers
• Built to last
• Affordable

Cons:

• The carafe is a bit small for large families
• The machine can be a bit loud when brewing
• The controls are not very intuitive

Overall, the Zojirushi Smart Coffee Maker is a great choice for coffee lovers who want a machine that makes consistently delicious coffee with minimal effort. It is easy to use, has a number of features that make it stand out from other coffee makers, and is built to last.

If you are looking for a great coffee maker that will make your morning routine a little bit easier, the Zojirushi Smart Coffee Maker is a great option.

Bento Box

A Bento Box is a traditional Japanese lunch container that has gained popularity worldwide due to its practicality, aesthetic appeal, and emphasis on balanced meals. The term “bento” refers to a single-portion meal that is often packed in a compartmentalized box and enjoyed on the go. 

Bento boxes have a rich cultural history in Japan and have evolved into a versatile kitchen gadget that can suit various preferences and lifestyles.

Features and Elements of Bento Boxes:

• Compartmentalization: Bento boxes are typically divided into multiple compartments, allowing for the separation of different foods. This design is not only visually pleasing but also helps prevent mixing and retain the freshness of each component.

• Balance and Variety: Japanese cuisine values the concept of ichiju-sansai, which means “one soup, three sides.” A well-prepared bento box follows this principle by including a balance of flavors, textures, and nutrients. It might include rice, a protein source (such as fish, meat, or tofu), cooked or pickled vegetables, and sometimes a small dessert.

• Portability: Bento boxes are designed for portability, making them ideal for picnics, work lunches, or school meals. The secure compartments prevent spills and allow for easy transportation.

• Artistic Presentation: Bento-making has evolved into an art form known as “kyaraben” or character bento. People create intricate designs, often resembling animals, characters, or scenes from pop culture, using colorful and diverse ingredients.

• Eco-Friendly: Reusable bento boxes reduce the need for disposable packaging, making them an environmentally friendly choice.

• Health-Conscious: Bento boxes encourage portion control and mindful eating. Their organized layout prompts thoughtful meal planning.

• Cultural Significance: Bento boxes have historical roots dating back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Over time, they’ve become an integral part of Japanese culture, representing care and affection when prepared for loved ones.

Japanese Mandoline Slicer

A Japanese mandoline slicer is a versatile kitchen tool designed to help you achieve precise and consistent cuts when preparing fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients. 

It’s a must-have gadget for anyone looking to save time and effort during food preparation while achieving professional-looking results.

Features and Benefits of a Japanese Mandoline Slicer:

• Adjustable Blade Thickness: One of the key features of a Japanese mandoline slicer is its adjustable blade thickness. You can easily change the setting to achieve the desired thickness for your slices, whether you’re aiming for paper-thin slices for salads or slightly thicker slices for stir-fries.

• Uniform Slices: The mandoline slicer ensures that each slice is uniform in thickness, which not only enhances the presentation of your dishes but also promotes even cooking.

• Efficiency: Using a mandoline slicer is much faster than manually slicing ingredients with a knife. This is especially useful when you’re dealing with a large quantity of fruits or vegetables.

• Safety Features: Many modern mandoline slicers come with safety features to protect your hands while slicing. Some models include hand guards or food holders that keep your fingers away from the blade.

• Versatility: In addition to standard straight cuts, some mandoline slicers offer various blade attachments for creating julienne strips, waffle cuts, crinkle cuts, and more. This versatility allows you to experiment with different textures and presentations in your dishes.

• Consistency: Achieving consistent cuts can be challenging with a knife, especially if you’re not an experienced chef. A mandoline slicer ensures that all your slices are of the same thickness, which is important for even cooking and a professional appearance.

• Time-Saving: The speed and precision of a mandoline slicer significantly reduce the time you spend on food preparation, making it an excellent tool for busy home cooks.

Matcha Whisk (Chasen)

A Matcha whisk, also known as a Chasen, is a traditional Japanese kitchen gadget specifically designed for whisking matcha tea. Matcha is a finely ground powdered green tea that is renowned for its vibrant color, unique flavor, and health benefits. The Chasen plays a crucial role in achieving the characteristic frothy and smooth texture of a properly prepared bowl of matcha.

Features and Importance of a Matcha Whisk (Chasen):

• Bamboo Construction: The Chasen is traditionally crafted from bamboo, specifically designed with fine, delicate prongs. The bamboo material is crucial as it facilitates the whisking process while minimizing damage to the matcha powder.

• Froth Creation: Whisking matcha with a Chasen is essential for creating the characteristic frothy layer on the surface of the tea. This froth enhances the taste, texture, and overall experience of drinking matcha.

• Texture and Flavor: Whisking with a Chasen helps to fully incorporate the matcha powder with the water, ensuring a smooth and velvety texture. This enhances the flavor profile of the tea and prevents clumps of powder from settling at the bottom.

• Aesthetic Presentation: The frothy layer achieved through whisking adds an element of elegance to the presentation of matcha tea, making it visually appealing.

• Cultural Significance: The art of preparing matcha has deep cultural roots in Japanese tea ceremonies. Using a traditional Chasen connects you to this centuries-old practice, adding a touch of authenticity to your matcha experience.

Yakitori Grill

A Yakitori Grill is a specialized Japanese kitchen gadget designed for grilling skewered meat, vegetables, and other ingredients. It’s a versatile tool that allows you to recreate the delicious flavors of yakitori, a popular Japanese dish consisting of skewered and grilled chicken. The Yakitori Grill is not only a functional cooking device but also a representation of the art of grilling and the social aspect of enjoying food together.

Features and Benefits of a Yakitori Grill:

• Compact Design: Yakitori Grills are typically compact and portable, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor cooking. They can be placed on a tabletop or countertop, making them perfect for gatherings and parties.

• Open-Flame Grilling: Many Yakitori Grills use a traditional open-flame design that imparts a unique smoky flavor to the grilled ingredients. This enhances the overall taste of the food and gives it an authentic charred appearance.

• Multiple Skewering: Yakitori Grills usually feature multiple skewer slots, allowing you to cook several skewers simultaneously. This is ideal for cooking for a group or trying out various flavor combinations.

• Even Cooking: The design of Yakitori Grills ensures even cooking of the skewered ingredients. The heat distribution is optimized to prevent unevenly cooked food.

• Customizable Recipes: While originally designed for yakitori-style skewers, you can get creative and use the grill for various meats, vegetables, seafood, and even fruits. Experiment with marinades, sauces, and seasonings to create your own signature dishes.

• Interactive Cooking: Yakitori Grills provide an interactive cooking experience. Guests can participate in skewering their favorite ingredients and enjoy the anticipation of watching their food cook.

• Cultural Connection: Using a Yakitori Grill allows you to engage with Japanese culinary culture and explore the traditions of yakitori grilling, which dates back to the Edo period (17th-19th century).

Tofu Press

A Tofu Press is a kitchen gadget designed specifically to extract excess moisture from tofu, resulting in firmer and more flavorful tofu that’s better prepared for various cooking techniques. 

Tofu, a versatile plant-based protein, is often packaged in water to keep it fresh. However, removing excess water is essential to enhance its texture and allow it to absorb flavors more effectively.

Features and Benefits of a Tofu Press:

• Efficient Moisture Extraction: The primary function of a tofu press is to efficiently remove moisture from tofu. Excess moisture can prevent tofu from crisping up when fried, sautéed, or baked, and can also dilute the flavors of marinades and sauces.

• Improved Texture: Removing moisture through pressing leads to a firmer texture in the tofu. This makes it easier to handle and cook without it falling apart.

• Enhanced Flavor Absorption: Pressed tofu has more space to absorb flavors from marinades and sauces, resulting in tastier and more well-seasoned dishes.

• Reduced Cooking Time: Tofu that has been pressed tends to cook faster, as it doesn’t need to release excess water while cooking. This can save you time in the kitchen.

• Uniform Cooking: Pressed tofu cooks more evenly, as the removal of moisture reduces the risk of uneven heating and helps prevent excessive sticking to the cooking surface.

• Versatility: A tofu press isn’t limited to one cooking method. You can use pressed tofu for frying, baking, grilling, sautéing, and even adding to soups.

• Consistency: Using a tofu press ensures that you consistently achieve the desired texture and results when cooking with tofu.

Noodle Maker

A noodle maker, also known as a noodle machine or noodle press, is a kitchen gadget designed to make fresh noodles of various shapes and sizes. 

It’s a versatile tool that allows you to create homemade noodles from scratch, giving you control over the ingredients and resulting in noodles with superior taste and texture compared to store-bought options.

Features and Benefits of a Noodle Maker:

• Fresh Noodles: A noodle maker allows you to make fresh noodles right in your kitchen. Fresh noodles have a more tender and satisfying texture compared to dried noodles.

• Variety of Shapes: Many noodle makers come with different attachments that enable you to make various types of noodles, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, tagliatelle, udon, soba, and more.

• Customizable Ingredients: Making your own noodles means you can choose the quality and type of ingredients that go into them, such as using whole wheat flour, adding herbs, or adjusting the level of gluten.

• No Preservatives or Additives: Homemade noodles are free from additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors that are often found in store-bought options.

• Hands-On Experience: Using a noodle maker gives you a hands-on experience in the kitchen, allowing you to connect with the process of noodle-making and experiment with different recipes.

• Cooking Control: Since fresh noodles cook faster than dried noodles, you can enjoy a quick meal without the need for extended boiling times.

• Creative Possibilities: With a noodle maker, you can experiment with different doughs and flavors, creating unique noodles to suit your culinary creativity.

Ramen Bowl with Built-in Strainer

A Ramen Bowl with a Built-in Strainer is a clever and innovative kitchen gadget designed to enhance the experience of preparing and enjoying ramen noodles. 

Ramen is a popular Japanese dish consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a flavorful broth, often accompanied by toppings like vegetables, meat, and eggs. 

The Ramen Bowl with a Built-in Strainer adds convenience to the cooking process by incorporating a straining mechanism directly into the bowl.

Features and Benefits of a Ramen Bowl with Built-in Strainer:

• Integrated Straining: The standout feature of this bowl is the built-in strainer. It typically consists of small perforations or slots around the rim of the bowl that allow you to strain the noodles while keeping the other ingredients in the bowl.

• Efficient Draining: This design allows you to lift the noodles from the broth and allow excess liquid to drain directly back into the pot, ensuring that your ramen isn’t overly soupy.

• Controlled Broth-to-Noodle Ratio: By straining the noodles directly in the bowl, you have better control over the ratio of broth to noodles, resulting in a more balanced and satisfying bowl of ramen.

• Less Mess: The built-in strainer eliminates the need for additional straining tools or transferring noodles between containers, reducing the chances of spills and mess.

• Convenient for Single Servings: These bowls are often designed for individual servings, making them perfect for quick meals or for those times when you want to enjoy a bowl of ramen on your own.

• Heat Retention: Many ramen bowls with built-in strainers are made from materials that retain heat well, ensuring that your ramen stays warm throughout your meal.

• Aesthetic Appeal: These bowls often have a modern and stylish design, making them visually appealing and suitable for both casual and formal dining settings.

Onigiri Mold

An Onigiri Mold is a kitchen tool that simplifies the process of shaping and molding onigiri, which are traditional Japanese rice balls. 

Onigiri are a popular snack and lunch option in Japan, consisting of rice that is often seasoned, filled with various ingredients, and then shaped into triangular or cylindrical forms. Onigiri molds are designed to help you create consistent and neatly shaped rice balls with ease.

Features and Benefits of an Onigiri Mold:

• Consistent Shape: One of the primary advantages of using an onigiri mold is achieving a uniform and attractive shape for your rice balls. This is especially helpful if you’re preparing multiple onigiri.

• Efficient Assembly: Onigiri molds usually consist of two parts that can be opened and closed. This design makes it easier to layer and assemble the rice and fillings neatly within the mold.

• Variety of Shapes: While triangular and cylindrical shapes are common, onigiri molds come in various shapes and sizes, allowing you to get creative with your rice ball presentation.

• Customizable Fillings: Some molds have a built-in compartment for adding fillings to the center of the rice ball, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.

• Clean Hands: Using an onigiri mold helps keep your hands clean while handling the rice, making the shaping process more hygienic.

• Time-Saving: Molding onigiri by hand can be time-consuming, especially if you’re new to the process. Using a mold speeds up the assembly process.

• Beginner-Friendly: Onigiri molds are ideal for individuals who are new to making onigiri, as they provide a clear guide for shaping and filling the rice.

Teppanyaki Grill Plate

A Teppanyaki Grill Plate is a specialized kitchen gadget that replicates the experience of cooking on a traditional Japanese teppanyaki grill. 

Teppanyaki is a style of cooking where food is prepared on a large, flat iron griddle in front of diners. The term “teppanyaki” translates to “grilling on an iron plate,” and it’s a popular culinary technique known for its interactive and entertaining nature. 

A Teppanyaki Grill Plate brings this experience to your home kitchen, allowing you to cook a variety of ingredients with precision and flair.

Features and Benefits of a Teppanyaki Grill Plate:

• Large Cooking Surface: Teppanyaki grill plates typically offer a spacious cooking area, allowing you to cook multiple ingredients simultaneously without crowding the surface.

• Even Heating: The flat iron griddle of a Teppanyaki Grill Plate provides even and consistent heating across the entire surface. This ensures that all ingredients cook uniformly.

• Versatility: You can use a Teppanyaki Grill Plate to cook a wide range of foods, including meats, seafood, vegetables, rice, noodles, and even desserts. The flat surface accommodates various cooking styles, such as grilling, sautéing, and frying.

• Interactive Cooking: Cooking on a Teppanyaki Grill Plate is an interactive experience. You can invite friends and family to gather around the grill, watch the cooking process, and engage in conversation as you prepare the meal.

• Customization: You have full control over the ingredients, seasonings, and sauces you use. This allows you to cater to different dietary preferences and experiment with flavors.

• Showmanship: Cooking on a Teppanyaki Grill Plate allows you to showcase your culinary skills and add an element of showmanship to your meals. Flipping, chopping, and tossing ingredients become part of the experience.

• Minimal Oil Usage: The flat surface of the grill plate allows excess oil to drain away from the food, resulting in healthier cooking with less oil absorption.

Miso Soup Strainer

A Miso Soup Strainer, also known as a miso sieve or miso strainer, is a kitchen tool designed specifically for making smooth and velvety miso soup. 

Miso soup is a staple in Japanese cuisine, made from a combination of miso paste, dashi (a Japanese stock), and various ingredients like tofu, seaweed, and vegetables. 

Using a miso soup strainer helps ensure that the miso paste is properly dissolved and evenly distributed in the soup, resulting in a consistent and delightful texture.

Features and Benefits of a Miso Soup Strainer:

• Strain Miso Paste: The primary function of a miso soup strainer is to break down and dissolve miso paste into the soup, preventing clumps and uneven distribution.

• Smooth Texture: By straining the miso paste, you achieve a smooth and silky texture in the soup, enhancing the overall mouthfeel and enjoyment.

• Even Flavor: Straining miso paste helps evenly distribute its rich umami flavor throughout the soup, ensuring that each spoonful is well-balanced in taste.

• Reduction of Sediment: Miso paste can contain bits of grain or bean particles. A miso soup strainer effectively filters out these particles, resulting in a clear and sediment-free broth.

• Time-Saving: Using a strainer expedites the process of incorporating miso paste into the soup. You won’t need to wait for the paste to dissolve slowly on its own.

• Professional Presentation: Strained miso soup looks more refined and professional, making it suitable for serving to guests and during special occasions.

Fish Scaler

A fish scaler is a simple yet essential kitchen tool designed specifically for removing the scales from the skin of fish. Scales are thin, often overlapping plates that cover the skin of most fish species. 

Removing scales before cooking makes the fish more palatable and prevents them from becoming tough or unpleasant in texture. 

A fish scaler facilitates this process, making it easier and more efficient to prepare fish for cooking.

Features and Benefits of a Fish Scaler:

• Scales Removal: The primary function of a fish scaler is to effectively and efficiently remove the scales from the fish’s skin without damaging the flesh underneath.

• Time-Saving: Using a fish scaler speeds up the process of removing scales compared to using a knife, resulting in less time spent on food preparation.

• Minimized Mess: Scaling fish can be messy, with scales flying around. A fish scaler helps contain the scales, making cleanup easier.

• Preserves Skin and Texture: Using a scaler preserves the integrity of the fish’s skin, ensuring that it retains its texture and doesn’t tear during cooking.

• Enhanced Taste: Removing scales helps improve the flavor of the cooked fish, as scales can sometimes have a bitter taste.

• Safety: A fish scaler reduces the risk of accidents that might occur when using a knife to remove scales.

• Versatility: Some fish scalers have a dual function, with one side for scaling and the other for descaling, which involves removing the slimy residue that fish skin can sometimes have.

Shabu Shabu Hot Pot

Shabu Shabu is a popular Japanese hot pot dish that involves cooking thinly sliced meat, vegetables, and other ingredients in a flavorful broth at the dining table. 

The name “Shabu Shabu” comes from the sound of swishing the ingredients in the hot broth as they cook. 

This interactive and communal dining experience is not only delicious but also a social and engaging way to enjoy a meal with friends and family.

Features and Benefits of a Shabu Shabu Hot Pot:

• Shared Dining Experience: Shabu Shabu is often enjoyed in a group setting, where everyone gathers around the hot pot to cook and share the ingredients. It encourages interaction and conversation while enjoying the meal.

• Healthy Cooking: The cooking process involves quickly blanching the ingredients in the hot broth, resulting in tender and flavorful bites. Since the ingredients are not deep-fried or heavily cooked, their nutrients are better preserved.

• Variety of Ingredients: Shabu Shabu allows you to customize your meal with a variety of ingredients such as thinly sliced beef, pork, seafood, tofu, mushrooms, leafy vegetables, and more.

• Control Over Cooking: Each person can control how long they cook their ingredients in the broth, adjusting the cooking time to their preferred level of doneness.

• Rich Broth Flavors: The broth used in Shabu Shabu is often made from kombu (seaweed) and other ingredients, resulting in a delicious and aromatic base for cooking the ingredients.

• Dipping Sauces: Shabu Shabu is typically accompanied by a variety of dipping sauces, which can be customized to complement the flavors of the cooked ingredients.

• Interactive Cooking: The swishing motion of cooking the ingredients in the broth is not only fun but also a way to engage in the cooking process.

Nori Puncher

A Nori Puncher, also known as a Nori Cutter or Nori Punch, is a specialized kitchen tool designed to cut or punch shapes out of sheets of nori, which is dried seaweed commonly used in Japanese cuisine. 

Nori is a versatile ingredient often used to wrap sushi, rice balls (onigiri), and other dishes. 

A Nori Puncher allows you to add decorative and creative elements to your dishes by cutting nori into various shapes.

Features and Benefits of a Nori Puncher:

• Decorative Touch: The primary purpose of a Nori Puncher is to add decorative designs to your dishes. It can turn simple and plain nori sheets into eye-catching and visually appealing elements.

• Customization: Nori Punchers come in various shapes and sizes, allowing you to customize your dishes with shapes like hearts, stars, flowers, animals, characters, and more.

• Professional Presentation: Using a Nori Puncher can elevate the presentation of your sushi rolls, onigiri, and other dishes, making them look more professional and enticing.

• Creativity: Nori Punchers give you the opportunity to express your creativity and experiment with different designs to enhance your culinary creations.

• Kids’ Meals: Nori Punchers are especially popular for creating fun and attractive designs for children’s meals, encouraging them to eat a variety of foods.

• Consistency: Nori Punchers provide a consistent and uniform shape to the nori cutouts, ensuring a polished look for your dishes.

Katsu Sando Cutter

A Katsu Sando Cutter, also known as a Katsu Sandwich Cutter, is a kitchen tool specifically designed to create perfectly uniform and aesthetically pleasing portions of Katsu Sando, a popular Japanese sandwich made with breaded and fried meat cutlets. 

Katsu Sando Cutters are used to shape and trim the sandwiches, ensuring that they are visually appealing and easy to eat.

Features and Benefits of a Katsu Sando Cutter:

• Consistent Portions: The primary function of a Katsu Sando Cutter is to create consistent and even portions of Katsu Sando sandwiches. This ensures that each sandwich looks uniform and appealing, which is important for presentation.

• Efficient Cutting: Using a Katsu Sando Cutter simplifies the process of cutting and trimming the sandwiches, saving time and effort compared to using a knife.

• Professional Presentation: Katsu Sando Cutters contribute to a more professional and polished presentation of the sandwiches, making them suitable for serving at events, parties, or even in restaurants.

• Precise Sizing: These cutters are designed to create portions of a specific size, which can be particularly useful when you need to serve a large number of sandwiches that need to be consistent in size.

• Ease of Use: Katsu Sando Cutters are typically easy to use. You place the cutter over the sandwich and press down, resulting in a clean and uniform cut.

• Versatility: While designed for Katsu Sando sandwiches, these cutters can also be used for cutting other types of sandwiches or even for shaping cookies, pastries, or other baked goods.

Sake Warmer

A Sake Warmer, also known as a Sake Heater or Sake Pot, is a kitchen appliance designed to heat and warm sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine, to the desired temperature for consumption. 

Sake is typically enjoyed either chilled or warmed, and a sake warmer provides a convenient and controlled way to heat the sake to the appropriate temperature without overheating or altering its delicate flavors.

Features and Benefits of a Sake Warmer:

• Temperature Control: Sake warmers often come with temperature control settings that allow you to heat the sake to the ideal temperature range. Different types of sake are best enjoyed at specific temperatures, and a sake warmer ensures you achieve the perfect warmth.

• Enhanced Aroma and Flavor: Warming sake can enhance its aromas and flavors, making certain nuances more pronounced and creating a comforting experience.

• Preservation of Quality: Sake warmers are designed to gently heat the sake without exposing it to direct flames or excessive heat. This helps preserve the sake’s quality and prevents it from becoming overcooked or altering its character.

• Convenient and Quick: Using a sake warmer is convenient, as it allows you to quickly warm sake without the need for stovetop heating or other methods.

• Entertaining: A sake warmer can add an interactive element to social gatherings, where guests can enjoy watching the sake being heated and appreciate the aroma that fills the air.

• Great for Cold Weather: Warming sake can be particularly appealing during colder months, providing a cozy and inviting beverage option.

Best Japanese Kitchen Gadgets: FAQs

What does every Japanese kitchen need?

Here are a few items that you’ll find in every Japanese kitchen:
– Rice cooker and warmer
– Rice molds and presses
– Vegetable slicer
– Bento box
– Chopsticks
– Fish bone tweezer and scalers

What utensils do Japanese use?

Here are some of the utensils that Japanese use: 
– Automatic rice cooker
– Bamboo sushi mat
– Bamboo sieve
– Wooden drop lid
– Hangiri

Kitchen Gadgets to make your life easier…

These were some of the best Japanese kitchen gadgets to help you make your life in the kitchen comfortable and relaxed. Why don’t you try these out for yourself and see how amazing they truly are!

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3. Keep your clothes clean and fresh with these amazing Japanese laundry detergents. Check it out!
4. Best Japanese Toilet Seat