15 Valentine’s Day Recipes for a Romantic Night In: Mains, Drinks & Desserts

If you show love through cooking and enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day, these simple yet special Japanese recipes are perfect to make at home. Simple, romantic, and visually appealing, these Japanese-style recipes are sure to make your Valentine’s dinner at home extra special.

Enjoy these warm, soulful dishes with your loved ones, friends, and family. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Main Dishes

1. Marry Me Chicken (Japanese-Style Recipe)

Japanese-style Marry Me Chicken is creamy, umami-rich, quick, romantic, comforting, easy, elegant, and flavorful, perfect for a cozy Valentine’s Day dinner.

2. Wafu Roast Beef (Japanese-Style Roast Beef with Sauce)

Tender, juicy roast beef infused with a savory Japanese soy-mirin sauce. Warm, comforting, and full of rich umami flavors.

3. Wagyu Steak (Japanese Beef Steak Recipe)

Luxuriously marbled Japanese beef, melt-in-your-mouth tender, kissed with a delicate glaze. A rich, intimate indulgence for special moments.

4. Porco Rosso’s Salmon with Beurre Blanc (Studio Ghibli Inspired)

Inspired by Studio Ghibli’s Porco Rosso, this dish features tender pan-seared salmon topped with a silky, lemony beurre blanc. Crispy on the outside, flavorful and comforting on the inside.

5. Udon Carbonara (Japanese-Italian Fusion Recipe)

Warm, creamy, and comforting, its rich umami flavors and indulgent sauce make it feel special, while the quick, fuss-free prep lets you spend more time together.

Seafood Options

6. Kaisendon (Japanese Seafood Rice Bowl)

Kaisendon’s fresh, colorful seafood over rice, easy assembly, and elegant presentation make it a quick, healthy, and impressive option for seafood lovers.

7. Makizushi (Sushi Rolls)

Makizushi’s appealing, flavorful sushi rolls, customizable fillings, and hands-on preparation make it a fun, Instagram-worthy dinner date meal.

8. Salmon Mayo (Ebi Mayo Alternative Recipe)

Salmon mayo’s crispy, creamy, and flavorful fried salmon with tangy sauce makes it an easy, indulgent dinner.

9. How to Make Fish Katsu With French Fries (Fish & Chips Japanese-Style Recipe)

Fish Katsu with French Fries is a Japanese-style twist on classic fish and chips. Serve it as a fun, casual, yet thoughtful meal.

Drinks

10. Sake Cocktail (With Mocktail Option)

Easy, festive Japanese sake cocktail with Japanese ume plum liqueur, fruit, and sparkling water, plus a refreshing non-alcoholic mocktail option.

Ready-to-Drink Options

You can also order ready-to-drink drinks for Valentine’s dinner, including:

Alcoholic

• Japanese alcohol (Not available in the U.S.) - We have sake rice wine, shochu distilled liquor, and Japanese whiskey. If you don’t know what to get, I highly recommend Junmai Ginjo for beginners. It’s smooth, easy to drink, and goes perfectly with sushi!

• Sake rice wine (Available in the U.S.) - This pure rice cooking sake is mellow, golden, and umami-rich to enhance flavors in dishes. Its smooth profile also makes it enjoyable as a light sipping sake.

Non-Alcoholic

• Non-Alcoholic Beer - My personal favorite is ume plum wine! Have you tried it? It’s actually not a wine but a fruit liqueur… It is sweet, tart, fruity, and very easy to love! For mocktail whiskey lovers, try this non-alcoholic whiskey highball.

• Healthy drinking vinegar - Just dilute with water, soda, milk, or soy milk, or pour over yogurt, ice cream, or shaved ice!

Desserts

11. Strawberry Parfait (Japanese-Style Recipe)

Pink parfait with layered strawberries, whipped cream, cake, granola, and ice cream. Quick, pretty, and delicious!

12. Japanese-Style Mont Blanc (Chestnut Cream Cake Recipe)

Japanese-style Mont Blanc with creamy chestnut, fluffy sponge, and elegant layers. If you’re looking for a “not too sweet” dessert, this is for you!

13. Gâteau au Chocolat (Ken’s Café Copycat Recipe)

Japanese-style Gâteau au Chocolat, rich and velvety like Ken’s Café Tokyo. Gooey, chilled chocolate perfection for dessert lovers.

14. Strawberry Kitkat Cake

KitKat chocolate cake for an easy, romantic, and Instagram-worthy Valentine’s cake, topped with fresh strawberries!

15. Heart-Shaped Chocolates

Make Valentine’s chocolates easily with creamy Meiji chocolate! Fun, simple, and beautifully homemade in just 20 minutes.

We hope these Japanese-inspired recipes help you create a special and romantic Valentine’s dinner at home!

If you haven’t found the perfect gift yet, make your Japanese-inspired dinner even more special with curated Japanese gifts! Check out gifts for him, gifts for her, and other thoughtfully selected gift boxes.