Japanese Potluck Recipes to Serve a Crowd (2024)

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Throwing a Japanese-themed potluck party? Here, we’ve gathered 15 mouthwatering Japanese potluck recipes that are perfect to serve a crowd.

Japanese Potluck Recipes to Serve a Crowd (1)

We’re finally entering the season devoted to outdoor entertaining, and potluck is surely a favorite way to celebrate. It makes things easy on the host, and everyone gets to contribute to the meal and sample each other’s creations. Here, we’ve pulled together a spread of delicious ideas for your Japanese-themed potluck.

The recipes range from popular Japanese grilled meat on the sticks to one pot vegetable dish to refreshing noodle salad to make-ahead desserts—every single one perfect for entertaining a big group of family and friends!

Japanese Potluck Dishes to Serve a Crowd

1. Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatball Skewers)

You can never go wrong with grilled meat on the sticks for any summer cookout. Called the Tsukune, these Japanese chicken meatball skewers are really moist and flavorful. Prepare them ahead and keep in the foil pan to bring to your potluck. Everyone can help themselves with the grilling over the hot charcoal.

2. Yakitori

Marinade in a savory-sweet sauce, these chicken and scallion skewers (yakitori) are hard to resist! It’s great for grilling outdoors as the delicious sweet grill smell is going to make everyone hungry. They are especially delicious after a little too much of some cold beer.

3. Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls) or Miso Yaki Onigiri

For any potluck get-together, there should be a carb dish that can fill some really hungry stomachs. With a crispy crust on the outside and soft sticky rice on the inside, these grilled rice balls are not only delicious but also so fun to eat! You can make them with or without fillings, or with a savory soy sauce or umami-packed miso sauce. As cooks rotate skewers of yakitori or tsukune over the grill, you can just throw the ready-shaped onigiri on the charcoal, basting them with the delicious sauce until they are golden crisp.

4. Nishime (One-Pot Vegetable Stew)

Looking for something healthy and homey to contribute to the table? Try this colorful dish called nishime! Commonly served in osechi for the Japanese New Year’s celebration, nishime is a simmered dish that includes root vegetables, starchy potatoes, konnyaku (konjac), kombu, deep-fried tofu, sometimes chicken, and fish cake. It’s a classic representation of a Japanese home-cooked meal. Because it’s cooked in one pot and holds well at room temperature, we’re seeing more Japanese Americans (especially in Hawaii) bringing nishime to their potluck parties. To save time, you can cook the stew in an Instant Pot and bring it along to your potluck.

5. Seafood Salad with Vinaigrette

Typically enjoyed as an appetizer with a western-style meal in Japan, this sublime seafood salad will surely bring out one’s appetite. Soaked up in a delicious marinade, it is composed of succulent shrimp, delicate octopus, and colorful vegetables. You can also make a vegetarian version by skipping the seafood. It takes less than 30 minutes to put together, and is perfect to make a few nights before.

6. Teriyaki Wings

Everybody loves chicken wings and teriyaki, and here you have the winning potluck dish—teriyaki wings! The wings are cooked in advance in a cast iron pot until the glaze is cooked down. Once they are done, you can transfer them to a foil pan and give the wings a final warm-up over the grill until they are sticky and finger-licking delicious.

7. Instant Pot Japanese Potato Salad

No potluck would be complete without a potato salad, right? The Japanese potato salad includes colorful vegetables and it’s seasoned with Japanese mayonnaise for extra tang. Adults love it and kids love it too. You can prepare the potato salad over the stovetop or make it with your Instant Pot!

8. Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

Karaage is one of the best fried chickens you could bring to a potluck! They come in small bite-size pieces, with a light crisp texture on the outside. Crunchy, juicy, and packed with garlicky flavor, you can’t ask for anything more. Serve the karaage with extra lemon wedges!

9. Kani Salad

This light and colorful salad is a celebration of sunny days.

10. Temari Sushi

These sushi balls are a showstopper! Not only are they gorgeous to look at, but they are also fun and simple to make. Feel free to use any ingredients you have on hand. Try smoked salmon, cooked shrimp, avocado, grilled vegetables, or fresh shiso leaves.

11. Japanese Glass Noodle Salad (Harusame Salad)

Light, refreshing, low calorie and so flavorful with a savory and tangy sesame soy vinaigrette, this Japanese glass noodle salad (harusame salad) adds a different texture to the potluck plate. You can easily customize the salad without the use of ham or eggs for a vegetarian or veganversion. It’s delicious even at room temperature.

12. Cucumber Salad with Crab

Tossed with wakame seaweed and imitation crab meat, this sweet and tangy Japanese Cucumber Salad pairs well with any Asian-themed dishes.

10. Matcha Marble Pound Cake

If dessert is your specialty, you want to bring this Matcha Marble Pound Cake to the potluck party. It’s buttery, tender, and bursting with a unique green tea flavor. The striking emerald swirls make it a showstopper too. Pound cake itself is sturdy for travel and can even be made many weeks ahead of time. What’s not to love?

11. Fruit Jelly

These fruit jellies are simple and light, and they showcase summer in the best ways—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

12. Japanese Steamed Cake (Mushi-pan)

These Japanese steamed cakes (mushi-pan) are soft, light, and spongy. Your guests can enjoy them without feeling weighed down. The steamed cakes require only the most basic ingredients and are surprisingly easy to make too. Choose savory or sweet based on the ingredients you use.

We hope you enjoy these mouthwatering Japanese potluck dishes with your friends and families. What are some of your favorite Japanese Dishes to serve a crowd?

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Japanese Potluck Recipes to Serve a Crowd (2024)

FAQs

What food to bring to a Japanese party? ›

These include crispy karaage (Japanese fried chicken), edamame (fresh, boiled soybeans), sashimi (thinly sliced raw fish), french fries, a healthy variety of salads, and more.

How do you make a successful potluck? ›

How to host the perfect potluck party: 8 tips from a pro
  1. Control your inner control freak.
  2. Keep your guests in the loop about dietary restrictions.
  3. Pick a theme, or don't.
  4. Think about the flow and label the food.
  5. Don't forget plates, cups, napkins and utensils.
  6. Make sure your kitchen is as clean as you can manage.
Aug 11, 2016

How do you package food for a potluck? ›

  1. A casserole carrier for easy transport. Credit: Food52. ...
  2. A cupcake carrier for desserts. Credit: Amazon. ...
  3. A cheese box for the cheeseboard expert. Credit: Food52. ...
  4. A set of adjustable dish covers to keep your salads fresh. Credit: Food52. ...
  5. A well-insulated tote that keeps food hot. ...
  6. A heavy-duty glass casserole with an airtight lid.
Jul 25, 2023

What is potluck menu? ›

Potluck dinners are events where the attendees bring a dish to a meal. The only traditional rule is that each dish be large enough to be shared among a good portion of the anticipated guests. Guests may bring in any form of food, ranging from the main course to desserts.

What 2 foods are served at every meal in Japan? ›

In addition to rice, every Japanese meal includes soup. It's almost always served hot. A miso-based soup (miso shiru) is the most common, and the ingredients are only limited by the chef's creativity. Dashi-based soup (sumashi jiru) is also popular and can include numerous vegetable, protein, and seafood combinations.

What to cook for a Japanese dinner party? ›

A Japanese Dinner Party
  1. Japanese Grilled Skewers.
  2. Edamame Snack.
  3. Morimoto's Black Cod with Sake, Soy Sauce and Sugar.
  4. Shoyu Ramen with Pork Belly.
  5. Air-Fried Tonkatsu with Ginger Cabbage Slaw.
  6. Japanese Cucumber Salad.

What is the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? ›

What to Bring to a Potluck
  1. Greek Potato Salad. ...
  2. Pasta Salad with Black Beans & Avocado Dressing. ...
  3. Vegan Creamy Coleslaw. ...
  4. Apple, Bacon and Sweet Potato Mini Casseroles. ...
  5. Classic Lasagna. ...
  6. Roasted Brussels Sprout & Butternut Squash Salad. ...
  7. Baked Oatmeal With Banana, Raisins & Walnuts. ...
  8. Spinach & Mushroom Quiche.
Mar 28, 2023

What is the easiest thing to bring to a work potluck? ›

- Bread: Fresh baguettes or dinner rolls from the supermarket's bakery section are always useful. - Cheese and Crackers: An assortment of cheeses with crackers is a classic and easy option. - Canned and Jarred Goods: Items like olives or artichoke hearts can be put in a serving bowl for a simple appetizer.

How many people should a potluck dish feed? ›

Main Dishes and Side Dishes

As a general rule, plan for one main dish serving and one or two side dish servings per person.

What is a good meal to feed a large crowd? ›

Make it easy by prepping any veggies in a food processor like the Ninja™ Professional XL food processor.
  • Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  • Meatballs. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Lasagna. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Homemade Pizza. ...
  • Baked Pasta. ...
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What can I make for a large group? ›

  • Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. ...
  • Tasty Taco Bar. Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. ...
  • Baked Potato Bar. ...
  • Crockpot Ham. ...
  • Killer Carnitas. ...
  • Chicken Spaghetti. ...
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders. ...
  • Shredded Beef Tacos.
Apr 2, 2024

How do you make a potluck list? ›

How it Works
  1. Set a Date. Enter name, date, and location of get-together.
  2. Create Menu. Create categories (e.g. sides, beverages, mains) and quantity needed.
  3. Invite Others. Share so friends, family, and neighbors can sign up to bring an item.
  4. Sign Up. People respond to the invitation and sign up to bring something.

What to bring to a Japanese person's house? ›

In Japanese culture, it's common for the guests to bring a small gift called temiyage or omiyage to the host. Temiyage can be literally translated into “hand gift.” Frequently, these gifts consist of small goodies such as snackable sweets, for instance.

What to gift a Japanese host? ›

  • Something that represents where you are from is always a good idea. Plus something that is light weight and not bulky.
  • Think of some food, tea, or condiments that are popular where you are from, or something useful, like a calendar, ashtray, or similar item.
  • Nothing really expensive is necessary.
Aug 22, 2023

What gifts do you give Japanese people? ›

Recommended gift items include food, drinks or other products from your home country. In general, they should be neither too cheap nor too expensive - typically between 1000 and 5000 yen. Note that there are restrictions on bringing certain types of food and plant products into Japan.

References

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