Japanese flavors are having a well-deserved moment right now. Case in point: matcha. When was the last time you walked into a coffee shop and didn’t see this earthy green tea on the menu?
But the interest goes well beyond matcha. Japanese comfort food is also gaining popularity, a trend Whole Foods Market calls “the yōshoku effect.” In its recent 2027 trend predictions report, it stated: “From pillowy milk bread to savory-sweet curry, Japanese comfort food is gaining momentum in the US, and much of that interest centers on yōshoku.”
In a nutshell, yōshoku refers to Western-influenced Japanese dishes. One classic example is katsu curry, which pairs a schnitzel-style breaded cutlet with a flavorful Japanese curry sauce.
If you want to embrace more Japanese foods and flavors in the year ahead, plenty of vegan products can help you do just that. Here, we’ve picked out a few of our favorites to get you started.
Mochi Foods
1 Mochi Foods Pancake & Waffle Mix
Mochi, made from short-grain sticky rice, is a popular snack in Japan. While traditionally eaten as a small cake, it also lends itself beautifully to waffles and pancakes.
To try it for yourself, check out Mochi Foods’ Hawaiian-inspired Pancake & Waffle Mix. It makes whipping up pillowy, light, fluffy pancakes and waffles incredibly easy. Plus, it’s not just vegan, but gluten-free, too.
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Kewpie
2 Kewpie Vegan Mayo
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Kewpie mayonnaise isn’t like regular mayonnaise.
Made with rice vinegar, this popular Japanese condiment is known for its rich, creamy texture and signature umami flavor, thanks to monosodium glutamate (MSG). While the original contains eggs, Kewpie also offers a vegan version that’s every bit as delicious.
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Haru Matcha
3 Haru Matcha Oat Milk Latte
Of course, we had to include matcha on this list. Haru Matcha’s Oat Milk Latte Mix is made with ceremonial grade matcha, contains gut- and brain-healthy MCT oil, and requires no whisking or frothing—letting you skip the extra tools and the coffee shop without sacrificing a creamy, earthy, satisfying matcha latte.
Just grab your favorite glass and mix up a serving (in original, vanilla, and chai flavors). That’s it.
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Kimono Mom
4 Kimono Mom’s Umami Sauce
Japanese cuisine is known for delivering next-level umami: that rich, deep, savory flavor that makes everything taste irresistible. There are plenty of ways to boost it in your favorite recipes. You can add mushrooms, glug a little soy sauce over everything, or stir in some miso. Or, you know, just add it straight from a bottle.
Made with a handful of ingredients, including tamari soy sauce, shiitake mushrooms, kelp extract, and salt, Mom’s Umami Sauce is legendary. Soon, you’ll be adding it to everything, from salads and stir-fries to sandwiches and soups. The limit does not exist.
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Yulu
5 Yulu Nom Nom Spicy Miso Udon
Some days, we have the energy to whip up an elaborate, delicious meal from scratch. Other days, we’d rather reach for a pot of instant noodles. And that’s okay.
Yulu’s Nom Nom Spicy Miso Udon is a favorite. The noodles are thick, bouncy, and chewy, while the miso adds just the right pop of umami. It’s just as good as takeout and cheaper, too.
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Bachan’s
6 Bachan’s Roasted Garlic Japanese BBQ Sauce
Japanese BBQ sauce is a staple for chefs and home cooks alike. Bachan’s offers a classic Original version, but its wide range of flavors is the real draw. The sweet-and-savory Roasted Garlic is about to become your go-to condiment.
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Musubi Japan
7 Musubi Japan Umami-Bomb Spicy Miso Paste
Another way to boost umami? An umami bomb, of course. Musubi Japan’s spicy miso paste is made with fermented miso, garlic, and red chili, and designed to be squeezed into just about anything, from marinades and glazes to dips and sauces.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
