Just One Cookbook: A Simple Guide to Japanese Home Cooking

Japanese food is full of flavor, culture, and comfort. From warm bowls of miso soup to sweet green tea ice cream, each dish has its own story. But for many, cooking Japanese meals at home feels hard.

That’s where Just One Cookbook: Essential Japanese Recipes Vol. 1,  Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 by Namiko Hirasawa Chen comes in. These cookbook makes Japanese cooking easy to follow and fun to learn.

Let’s take a closer look at the author, what the cookbook offers, and why it’s a great choice for anyone who wants to try Japanese recipes at home.

Just One Cookbook Essential Japanese Recipes Vol 1

Author Background

Who is Namiko Hirasawa Chen?

Namiko Hirasawa Chen, also known as Nami, is the creator of the popular food blog Just One Cookbook. She was born and raised in Yokohama, Japan.

After moving to the United States, she started her blog to share home-style Japanese recipes with her family and friends. Over time, her blog grew, and many readers around the world began following her recipes.

Nami learned to cook from her mother and grandmother. Her cooking style keeps the original flavors of Japan while using ingredients you can find outside Japan.

She focuses on teaching, not just showing. Her goal is to help people cook real Japanese meals in their own kitchens.

Cookbook Overview

What’s Inside the Cookbook?

Just One Cookbook: Essential Japanese Recipes Vol. 1 includes 33 recipes. These are not random dishes. They are the most loved and most tested recipes from Nami’s blog. Readers from all over the world have tried them, rated them, and asked for more.

Inside, you’ll find traditional dishes like:

• Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard)

• Gyudon (beef bowl)

• Tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet)

You’ll also see modern dishes like:

• California rolls

• Green tea ice cream

The cookbook covers basic kitchen skills too. It shows how to make steamed rice, sushi rice, and dashi soup stock. These are the building blocks of many Japanese meals.

Recipe Categories

Traditional Comfort Foods

The book includes many meals you would find in a Japanese home. Recipes like miso soup, simmered fish, and rice bowls are simple but full of taste. These meals often use only a few ingredients, yet they are rich in flavor.

Modern Favorites

Nami adds some fun, modern twists too. California rolls, matcha ice cream, and chicken teriyaki are examples. These are perfect for anyone who enjoys Japanese food with a fresh touch.

Basics and Pantry Items

The cookbook teaches important basics. It explains how to make dashi, how to cook rice the right way, and what pantry items to keep. This helps new cooks get started without stress.

Features

Step-by-Step Instructions

Each recipe comes with clear steps. Nami writes in a way that is easy to follow, even for beginners. No complex cooking words. Just simple instructions and useful tips.

Tested and Trusted

The recipes are not only tested by Nami, but also by many of her blog readers. These dishes have been cooked and approved by people all over the world.

Authentic Taste

Nami follows real Japanese cooking methods. She shares how her family made these meals, so the taste stays true to Japanese traditions.

Beginner-Friendly

The book explains everything from ingredients to cooking steps. Even if you’re new to cooking, you can still follow along and make a tasty meal.

Just One Cookbook Essential Japanese Recipes Vol 2

Japanese food has a special place in many hearts. From warm miso soup to crispy chicken wings, every dish tells a story. But learning how to cook Japanese meals can feel hard.

That’s where Just One Cookbook by Namiko Hirasawa Chen comes in. This cookbook makes Japanese home cooking easy and fun for everyone.

Cookbook Overview

A Trusted Guide by Namiko Hirasawa Chen

Namiko Chen, known as Nami, is the voice behind the popular website JustOneCookbook.com. She is a home chef who shares her love for Japanese food through simple and tasty recipes.

Her second cookbook, Essential Japanese Recipes (Vol. 2), brings 90 handpicked dishes to your kitchen. These are the same recipes loved by over 125 million blog readers.

Each recipe comes from her heart. Nami shares not just ingredients and steps, but also tips, tools, and traditions. Even if you’re new to Japanese food, her clear steps help you cook with ease.

Everyday Cooking Made Easy

The book is not just for special meals. It’s full of dishes Japanese families eat every day. You don’t need fancy tools or rare ingredients.

Nami keeps it real and simple. That’s why many people see this book as their favorite go-to guide for Japanese cooking at home.

Recipe Categories

Appetizers and Small Bites

Start your meal with tasty appetizers. Recipes like egg rolls and crispy chicken wings bring bold flavors to the table. These snacks are easy to make and perfect for sharing.

Soups and Warm Comforts

Soups play a big role in Japanese meals. You’ll find heartwarming recipes like miso soup, corn soup, and Japanese vegetable soup. Each one is light, healthy, and full of flavor. Perfect for cold days or a simple meal.

Side Dishes and Rice Balls

Side dishes add color and taste to the meal. Nami’s recipes include green beans with sesame dressing and onigiri rice balls. These small plates pair well with any main dish and are also great for lunch boxes.

Noodles and Rice Bowls

Quick, filling, and always delicious. Recipes like curry udon and tasty rice bowls are perfect for busy days. With easy steps, you can enjoy a full Japanese meal at home.

Desserts and Sweet Treats

The book also brings sweet joy. Try matcha cookies or soft steamed cake. These treats are light and not too sugary. A sweet way to end your meal.

Sauces and Condiments

Sauces make a big difference. Nami includes recipes for spicy mayo, tonkatsu sauce, and more. These easy condiments boost the taste of any dish.

Features

Step-by-Step Instructions

Each recipe comes with clear steps and helpful notes. Even beginners can follow along without stress. Nami’s voice feels like a friend guiding you in the kitchen.

Cooking Tips and Techniques

Nami shares helpful tips you don’t find in most cookbooks. Learn how to cut vegetables the Japanese way. Discover which tools make cooking easier. These tips make a big difference.

Ingredient Guide

Finding Japanese ingredients can be tricky. That’s why Nami adds shopping tips and product suggestions. She helps you know what to buy and where to get it, both online and in stores.

A Personal Touch

Every recipe feels special. Nami’s stories and care shine through each page. You don’t just learn how to cook — you learn why the dish matters.

Just One Cookbook is more than a recipe book. It’s a warm guide to Japanese home cooking. With simple steps, clear photos, and dishes full of heart, it brings Japanese flavors to your home, one recipe at a time.

 

Just One Cookbook Essential Japanese Recipes Vol 3

Japanese New Year is more than a celebration. It’s a deep-rooted tradition filled with meaning, family, and food.

Namiko Hirasawa Chen, the author behind the popular blog Just One Cookbook, brings that tradition to life through her detailed and beautiful cookbook, Osechi: Japanese New Year Recipes.

This book offers more than just recipes—it’s a guide to understanding and enjoying one of Japan’s most important holidays through its food.

Cookbook Overview

Namiko Chen, often known as Nami, has built a trusted name through her blog, where she shares easy and authentic Japanese recipes. In her cookbook, she focuses on Osechi Ryori, the traditional food served during Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu).

This collection includes over 50 recipes that represent good luck, health, and happiness for the year ahead. Each recipe reflects care, tradition, and a strong connection to family.

Nami shares stories, helpful kitchen tips, and cultural insights, making the book feel personal and warm. The cookbook doesn’t just tell you what to cook—it shows you how to do it, step-by-step.

Readers can expect a complete guide. It starts from shopping and cooking tools, and leads all the way to packing the osechi in beautiful boxes called jubako. Everything is written clearly, so even beginners can follow along with ease.

Recipe Categories

New Year’s Eve Dishes

The night before the new year calls for a comforting meal shared with loved ones. Nami includes dishes like:

• Sukiyaki – thinly sliced beef with vegetables

• Shabu Shabu – hot pot with dipping sauces

• Temaki and Hosomaki – hand-rolled and thin sushi rolls

These recipes are fun, warm, and perfect for family gatherings.

New Year’s Day Delicacies

The heart of osechi ryori is served on New Year’s Day. Every dish has a special meaning. Some examples are:

• Kuromame – sweet black soybeans for health

• Tazukuri – candied sardines for a good harvest

• Chikuzenni – simmered root vegetables symbolizing strength

• Ebi no Umami – flavorful shrimp that represent long life

Each dish adds color, flavor, and meaning to the table.

Platters, Soups, and Rice Dishes

Special dishes bring balance to the celebration:

• Tai Sugata Yaki – whole baked sea bream, a symbol of joy

• Ozoni – mochi soup eaten on New Year’s Day

• Sekihan – red bean rice often served at happy events

These recipes offer variety in taste and texture while staying true to tradition.

Sweets and Drinks

No celebration is complete without dessert and drinks. The book includes:

• Green Tea Mochi – soft, chewy, and lightly sweet

• Zenzai – sweet red bean soup with mochi

• Amazake – a sweet fermented rice drink often enjoyed warm

• Toshikoshi Soba – buckwheat noodles eaten to “cross over” into the new year

These final touches bring a sweet end to the feast.

Features

Step-by-Step Instructions

Nami provides clear steps for each recipe. Many include photos, helping readers understand what each step should look like. This is especially helpful for people new to Japanese cooking.

Cooking Timeline and Tips

Planning a big meal can be stressful. Nami includes timelines and checklists to help you stay on track. Her tips are simple and easy to follow, making the whole process smoother.

Cultural Insight

This cookbook is more than food. It explains the meaning behind each dish, helping you appreciate the culture and the reason for every ingredient. Nami also shares her own family traditions, which adds a warm, human touch.

Shopping and Tools Guide

For those not living in Japan, finding ingredients might seem hard. Nami gives advice on where to shop and what tools you really need. She also explains how to adjust the recipes based on what’s available in your area.

Beautiful Presentation

Osechi ryori is often packed in special boxes called jubako. The book teaches how to arrange the food in a way that looks festive and elegant. The colorful photos inspire you to create your own beautiful osechi.

Just One Cookbook: Osechi is a loving tribute to Japanese food and tradition. Nami makes it easy to bring a taste of Japan into your home, no matter where you live. With her guidance, anyone can prepare a delicious and meaningful Japanese New Year meal.

Final Words

Just One Cookbook Essential Japanese Recipes Vol 1, Vol 2, and Vol 3 offer a simple and clear path to authentic Japanese cooking.

Each volume in the Just One Cookbook series shares easy-to-follow recipes, helpful tips, and cultural insights.

With step-by-step guidance and beautiful food ideas, the Just One Cookbook collection makes it easy for anyone to enjoy the flavors of Japan at home.