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Chef JA Cooks

At Chef JA Cooks, you’ll discover easy and healthy Japanese recipes, mostly vegetarian, that are simple to recreate at home. The dishes emphasize minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Featured Post

✨ NEW! Yaki Imo Taste Test and more!

COOKBOOKS COOKWARE FALL Hi there Reader -- This week is all about yaki imo! 🍠 If you love roasted Japanese sweet potatoes, you’ll enjoy my Yaki Imo Taste Test, a fun comparison of seven popular varieties. Explore how each one differs in terms of sweetness, texture, and flavor. I hope you will like the post! I’ve also shared individual yaki imo recipes and a new Kabocha Gratin video, perfect for cozy fall days. Check them out on the blog and YouTube! ✨ What’s New on the Blog & YouTube Yaki Imo...

Hi there Reader -- I’ve shared seven meal plan posts this fall, each filled with cozy, comforting Japanese dishes to enjoy this season. That wraps up the fall series. Thank you so much for following along! Meal Plan: Umami Rice & Cozy Veggie Dishes Meal Plan: Eggplant Two Ways & Hearty Dinners Meal Plan: Japanese Curry & Flavorful Tofu Dishes Meal Plan: Wholesome Fall Flavors Meal Plan: Cozy Japanese Dinners Meal Plan: Warm & Simple Fall Meals Meal Plan: Comforting Japanese Vegan Dinners I’ll...

COOKBOOKS COOKWARE FALL Hi there Reader -- This week, I’ve been diving into the world of Japanese sweet potatoes! I picked up several different varieties. Thanks to the growing popularity of yaki imo (roasted sweet potatoes), there are now so many to explore. Check out the full post for all the details! Also, don’t miss this week’s cozy recipes — Tomato and Quinoa Miso Soup, perfect for the season, and Meatless Nikujaga, a hearty and comforting Japanese classic. ✨ What’s New on the Blog &...

Hi there Reader -- This weekly meal plan series is here to help you cook healthy meals at home on busy weeknights. I know it can feel tiring to decide what to make when time is short, but you still want to eat well. Each week, I’ll send you a 5-day plan you can adjust to your liking. Start with just one meal or a couple each week, whatever works best for you. Go at your own pace, and if you ever need support, just hit reply and let me know! ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This week’s meal plan...

COOKBOOKS COOKWARE FALL Hi there Reader -- I hope you’re feeling well! As the temperature starts to drop, we are catching a few seasonal sniffles, but warm, cozy meals always help us feel better. This week’s new recipe is Potato Miso Soup, which is simple, hearty, and perfect for chilly days. I also share the Kabocha Salad with Cream Cheese and Nuts. I still have a whole kabocha sitting in my pantry, so I’ll be sharing a few more kabocha recipes this season. And lately, I’ve been obsessed...

Hi there Reader -- This weekly meal plan series is here to help you cook healthy meals at home on busy weeknights. I know it can feel tiring to decide what to make when time is short, but you still want to eat well. Each week, I’ll send you a 5-day plan you can adjust to your liking. Start with just one meal or a couple each week, whatever works best for you. Go at your own pace, and if you ever need support, just hit reply and let me know! ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This week’s meal plan is...

COOKBOOKS COOKWARE FALL Hi there Reader -- I hope you’re enjoying all the delicious fall foods! Right now, kuri (Japanese chestnuts) are in season here. They’re only available for a short time each year, so my kids and I enjoy this fall treat as much as we can! And for something sweet, I’ve shared my favorite cake, Castella, now made with rice flour. It’s a little denser than the regular version but still wonderfully soft, moist, and so delicious. And don’t miss my ingredient guide on...

Hi there Reader -- This weekly meal plan series is here to help you cook healthy meals at home on busy weeknights. I know it can feel tiring to decide what to make when time is short, but you still want to eat well. Each week, I’ll send you a 5-day plan you can adjust to your liking. Start with just one meal or a couple each week, whatever works best for you. Go at your own pace, and if you ever need support, just hit reply and let me know! ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This week’s meal plan is...

COOKBOOKS COOKWARE FALL Hi there Reader -- The cooler weather makes for such a pleasant walk! Around here, the rice fields are bustling as farmers harvest this year’s crop. I can’t wait to taste the freshly harvested rice of the season! I’m so grateful that we can enjoy rice every day thanks to their hard work. And speaking of cozy fall flavors, this week’s new recipe is Kabocha Gratin! Tender Japanese pumpkin baked in a rich, creamy sauce, perfect for pumpkin season. Also, don’t miss my new...

Hi there Reader -- This weekly meal plan series is here to help you cook healthy meals at home on busy weeknights. I know it can feel tiring to decide what to make when time is short, but you still want to eat well. Each week, I’ll send you a 5-day plan you can adjust to your liking. Start with just one meal or a couple each week, whatever works best for you. Go at your own pace, and if you ever need support, just hit reply and let me know! ✨ This Week's Meal Plan This week’s meal plan...