7 Colorful and Crisp Japanese Salads

Shrimp and Soba Noodle Salad
Photo: Buckwheat Queen

Japanese salads utilize garden-fresh vegetables at the peak of flavor along with light proteins and bright acids to create intensely delicious flavors. Cook up a cold noodle salad with matchstick cucumbers and chili flakes or try out tofu dressed with a rice wine dressing. Each option is vibrant, healthy, and customizable. Try one of these seven Japanese salad recipes for a balanced meal.

01 of 07

Shrimp and Soba Noodle Salad

Shrimp and Soba Noodle Salad
Buckwheat Queen

This copycat recipe combines soba noodles, snow peas, shrimp, fresh ginger, and miso paste for a textural triumph. All of these fresh, bright ingredients come together to make a meal in just 25 minutes.

02 of 07

Japanese Cucumber Sunomo

Japanese Cucumber Sunomono in a white and blue bowl

The perfect make-ahead salad that's brimming with vibrant sweetness and tang. Simply toss cucumbers with vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and sugar then let sit for an hour before serving.

03 of 07

Kombu Seaweed Salad

close shot of seaweed salad with carrot and cucumber
Eat

This refreshing salad is crisp, flavorful, and healthy. "This was amazing!' says home cook Sjperkins. "I added some crushed red pepper because we like the little bit of heat."

04 of 07

Hiyashi Chuka Noodles

A cold noodle salad packed with protein and wholesome flavors. Sliced ham, eggs, and cucumbers are topped with a sweet, vinegary soy sauce mixture then garnished with thin nori strips.

05 of 07

Japanese Tofu Salad

Japanese Tofu Salad in a white bowl with chopsticks
BethLind

A vegan tofu salad that perfectly blends sharp and mellow ingredients. Cubed tofu is tossed with garlic, red onion, and sesame oil then dressed with a rice wine-based sauce.

06 of 07

Japanese-Style Cabbage Salad

Japanese-Style Cabbage Salad
Raio De Luz

Bring brilliant color to the table when you make this easy cabbage salad. Green onions and slivered almonds join purple cabbage to create a perfectly seasoned side dish.

07 of 07

Japanese Soba Noodle Salad

Japanese soba noodle salad
LauraF

A heavy dose of lime juice and mirin give this noodle salad a succulent, tangy appeal that's created in just 30 minutes. Add sprouts, green onion, or cilantro for a fresh pop of color.

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