![[2026] Songs about cooking: A roundup of recommended Japanese classics](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MVVQynaCOYg/hqdefault.jpg)
[2026] Songs about cooking: A roundup of recommended Japanese classics
Delicious food adds color to our everyday lives, and surely many people reset their mood by making sure to eat a proper meal even when they’re going through something tough.
Whether we’re happy or sad, we humans can’t keep moving forward unless we eat.
Themes like cooking and food—which are closely tied to our daily lives—are, of course, important and unmissable subjects for artists as well, and they’re often chosen as motifs.
In this article, we’ve picked out classic Japanese songs—both old and new—that center on cooking and food.
Whether it’s breakfast or sweet desserts, take a look at how these artists express them!
[2026] Songs About Cooking: A Collection of Recommended J-Pop Classics (1–10)
Magic CookingBUMP OF CHICKEN
A heartwarming song that portrays bonds with one’s past self and family through cooking.
Released in April 2010 as BUMP OF CHICKEN’s 17th single and featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” this piece resonated with many listeners.
It was also included on the album COSMONAUT and has become a live favorite.
The lyrics, filled with childhood memories and gratitude for family, deeply touch the hearts of those who listen.
It’s recommended for anyone who cherishes family meals or wishes to convey something to their past self.
RECIPEYamashita Tatsuro
This is a classic song that expresses love through words related to cooking.
Centered on the theme of a “recipe” for creating love and happiness, it deftly interweaves the steps of cooking to portray how the couple’s love deepens.
Released in November 2019, it also drew attention as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama Grand Maison Tokyo.
In the music video, Tatsuro Yamashita’s character “Tatsuro-kun” appears in CG, performing a comical dance.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to enjoy time with their partner while cooking.
Listen to it together with the one you love, and you’re sure to share a happy moment.
Cooking MarchYUKA
The song by YUKA used as the opening theme for the anime Kiteretsu Daihyakka is a march that playfully depicts the process of cooking.
It was released in May 1992 and served as the opening theme until June 1996.
The lyrics include recipes for dishes like croquettes and Neapolitan spaghetti, so you can actually cook along while listening.
Its structure, which shifts from a march style to a ballad, is also appealing, and the lyrics—evoking family bonds and small everyday adventures through cooking—strike a chord.
It’s a recommended track not only for cooking enthusiasts but also for families who want to sing together while making meals.
Japanese rice is the best in the world.Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai
A song themed around Japanese rice, it expresses a love for Japan’s food culture with a rock sound.
While introducing various dishes like rice bowls and set meals, it sings about different types of rice and their deliciousness—truly “life-rooted loud rock.” Released in November 2015, this work is beloved by many fans as one of Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai’s signature tracks.
It also comes with a live DVD, offering plenty of opportunities to enjoy the band’s appeal.
It’s a recommended track not only for those who love rice and washoku (Japanese cuisine) but also for anyone interested in Japan’s food culture.
Rice is a side dish.Hōkago Tī Taimu
The songs performed by the in-anime band “Houkago Tea Time” from K-On!! are all beloved hits that captivate fans.
Among them, this track is a fun number that sets a lighthearted melody to a love of food.
Centering rice as the star, the lyrics playfully portray its pairings with a variety of dishes, and just listening is enough to bring a smile to your face.
Released as a single in September 2010, the song also drew attention for being performed in episode 20 of the anime.
Combined with its up-tempo rock sound, it delivers a live, energetic feel.
It’s perfect not only for people who love to eat, but also for those times when you need a boost of energy.
Let’s eat gyoza in China! (Pun: ‘tabe-chaina’ sounds like ‘China’)PAN
A rock band from Osaka, PAN, presents “Gyoza Tabe China,” a song overflowing with love for dumplings.
Set to a lively melody, it praises the charms of gyoza.
The track drew attention through a collaboration with Gyoza no Ohsho, and the music video was filmed inside an actual restaurant.
It’s included on the mini-album “Gu GOOD Goo,” released in August 2016.
The lyrics, which make you crave dumplings, and phrases sprinkled with Chinese leave a strong impression, expressing both how to make gyoza and their universal appeal.
This work is best enjoyed while eating gyoza with family or friends—perfect for livening up a dumpling party.
chicken riceHamada Masatoshi / Makihara Noriyuki
This song is a collaboration between Masatoshi Hamada and Noriyuki Makihara, born from an event on Fuji TV’s music program “HEY! HEY! HEY! MUSIC CHAMP.” The lyrics, written by Hitoshi Matsumoto based on episodes from his childhood, convey themes of caring for one’s family and the idea that happiness isn’t defined by material wealth.
Released as a single in November 2004, the song was also used as the image song for Fuji TV’s winter event “HOT FANTASY ODAIBA.” The warm story, depicted through memories with family and the dish chicken rice, has become a song that resonates deeply with everyone.