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Everyone has a friend who orders ramen whenever they can, talks about the best sushi they ever had, or came back from a trip to Japan wanting to cook like the locals. The best gift for them is not another novelty mug. It is the tool that lets them make their favorite dish at home.
This guide is organized by the food they love, so you can start with what you already know about them.
For the sushi lover
Makisu (bamboo rolling mat)
The simple bamboo mat used to roll maki sushi. It costs very little and is the first thing anyone needs to make rolls at home. Tip: Wrap it in plastic film when rolling inside-out rolls so rice does not stick in the gaps.
Hangiri (wooden sushi rice tub)
A wide, shallow wooden tub for mixing sushi rice with vinegar. The wood absorbs extra moisture and helps the rice cool quickly to the right texture. It is the gift for someone who is serious about home sushi. Tip: Smaller sizes suit home cooks and are easier to store.
For the ramen fan
Ramen bowls with spoons
Proper ramen bowls are wider and deeper than ordinary soup bowls, with room for noodles, broth and toppings. A matching set with renge spoons turns a weeknight bowl into something that feels like a ramen shop. Tip: A set of two makes a good couple’s gift.
Tebo (noodle strainer basket)
The deep mesh basket ramen cooks use to boil and drain one portion of noodles at a time. It makes cooking noodles for several people easy, and it looks the part. Tip: Choose one with a long handle and a hook to rest on the pot.
For the tempura and fried food fan
Tempura pot with rack
A small, deep pot designed for frying, often with a built-in thermometer and a drip rack on the rim. It uses less oil than a big pan and keeps the temperature steady, which is the secret to light, crisp tempura. Tip: Models with a lid and a clip-on rack keep the stove much cleaner.
For the Japanese breakfast or bento fan
Tamagoyaki pan
A small rectangular pan for rolled Japanese omelet, a staple of breakfasts and bento boxes. It is a fun project to master, and the results look impressive. Tip: Non-stick versions are easiest for beginners; copper ones are the traditional upgrade.
Onigiri mold set
For quick, neat rice balls. A good add-on to a tamagoyaki pan for anyone who packs lunches. More bento ideas are in the stocking stuffer guide.
For the tea lover
Kyusu (Japanese teapot)
A small teapot with a side handle, designed for brewing green tea. Tokoname, in Aichi Prefecture, is especially famous for its clay kyusu, which many tea lovers say soften the taste of the tea. Tip: Look for one with a fine built-in strainer.
Matcha whisk set
A bamboo whisk (chasen), a scoop and a bowl are all someone needs to make proper frothy matcha. Bamboo whisks hand-made in Takayama, Nara, are the traditional choice. Tip: Check where the whisk is made. Many low-cost whisks are produced outside Japan.
For the party host
Takoyaki pan
A cast iron or electric plate with round wells for making takoyaki, the octopus balls sold at street stalls in Osaka. Making them at home is a party in itself, and the pan works for other bite-size snacks too. Tip: An electric plate is easiest to use at the table.
Donabe for hot pot
A clay pot for nabe, the shared hot pot that Japanese families gather around in winter. It is covered in more detail in the Japanese kitchen gift guide.
For the reader
A good cookbook pairs well with any of the tools above. A few well-loved English-language books on Japanese home cooking:
- Japan: The Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu: a huge collection of home recipes from across Japan
- Japanese Home Cooking by Sonoko Sakai: recipes built on the basics of dashi, rice and simple seasonings
- Just One Cookbook by Namiko Chen: approachable recipes from a popular Japanese home cooking site
Quick picks
- Sushi lover: makisu rolling mat
- Ramen fan: ramen bowl set with spoons
- Tea lover: Tokoname kyusu teapot
- Party host: takoyaki pan
More gift ideas: the Japanese kitchen gift guide by budget, how to pick a Japanese knife as a gift and stocking stuffers under $25.