By Kate Cohen

Ordering Japanese appetizers can be tricky.

If you choose something too heavy, you might end up full before your meal even hits the table. But if you skip out completely, you miss out on an entire course of flavor and culinary tradition.

Instead of accidentally filling up on drinks or watching the clock until your entrée arrives, check out these distinct Japanese appetizers that will change your entire dining experience.

 

Edamame Beans

Served warm inside of their soft, fuzzy shell and garnished with a light pinch of salt, edamame beans are soybeans harvested just before maturation.

This colorful vegan treat is a great finger food preferred by patrons in the mood for a fun, simple snack.

Edamame also has a variety of health benefits, making it a great choice for mindful diners. It’s a fantastic source of plant-based protein and is packed with nutrients like fiber, calcium, and isoflavones that protect the heart from heart disease.

As a healthy appetizer to help you gear up for the main course, edamame will keep your hands busy and your hunger at bay until your entrée arrives.

Kaiso Salad

Kaiso salads stand out from mainstream salads for including seaweed with traditional lettuce. But instead of the nori seaweed that holds together a classic sushi roll, kaiso salads feature wakame seaweed as the star ingredient.  

Its salty-sweet profile and distinct seaweed flavor make this vegan dish a go-to for patrons across all diets. Kaiso salad is also an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as other nutrients and minerals.  

If you’re looking for a light Japanese appetizer, kaiso salad is the perfect go-to prior to your main course. 

Stuffed Gyoza

Gyoza is a modern rendition of traditional dumplings. While regular dumplings are prepared with a thick wrapper stuffed with meats and vegetables, gyoza is assembled with a thinner wrapper and finely chopped filling options.

Pan-fried to bring out aromatic flavors and an audibly crisp bite, this appetizer is a unique way to sample some cultural comfort food.

Harumaki

More commonly known as the “Japanese spring roll,” Harumaki is a crispy, flavorful appetizer perfect for warming up your palate.  

These tasty finger foods are typically filled with a blend of finely chopped meats and veggies, wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and deep fried for the perfect crunch.  

Harumaki’s portability makes it the ideal appetizer for dipping into your favorite sauces for an extra pop of delicious flavor. 

Shrimp Tempura

Tempura is a friendly appetizer to introduce newcomers to Japanese cuisine. 

 Featuring deep-fried vegetables and shrimp, tempura is a crisp and warm dish that everyone at the table is guaranteed to love.  

But, unlike more common fried food options, tempura is dipped in a light batter that creates a bright flavor without weighing patrons down before dinner. 

Tuna Tataki

Tuna Tataki is an artistic appetizer prepared with traditional Japanese influence.

To get this dish just right, chefs sear the exterior of a fresh cut of tuna but quickly remove it from the heat. It’s cut into thin strips so diners can experience its temperature and texture contrasts. This results in tuna slices with crisp edges and a signature tender-pink interior.

Typically made with bonito or ahi tuna, this dish is a protein-packed way to prepare for dinner.

Order Your Favorite Japanese Appetizers at Shogun Japanese Steakhouse

These Japanese appetizers offer the perfect start to your meal, and they’re all on the menu at Shogun Japanese Steakhouse.

Join us for a dinner that’s as entertaining as it is appetizing and be sure to treat yourself to a starter course that will leave your palate wanting more.