[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!
- [Rice Songs] A selection of tracks where food appears in the lyrics!
- [Food Songs] Popular Japanese songs that use names of foods
- [Delicious] A collection of music you'll want to listen to while cooking
- A roundup of Japanese songs featuring curry—songs about curry and curry rice
- [2026] Japanese music that sings wishes: A collection of J-POP masterpieces
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about food
- [Family Song] A gratitude song that lets you feel the importance of family.
- [Vegetable Songs] Unexpected artists too!? A roundup of recommended tracks
- [2026] Autumn songs sung by idols: A collection of classic autumn tunes filled with nostalgia
- [Thank You] A song for grandpa and grandma: a classic that makes you want to express your gratitude
- Vegetable Song: A Recommended Food Education Song for Children
- Packed with masterpieces! Karaoke songs recommended for women of the Yutori generation
[2026] Songs about cooking: Recommended classic Japanese tracks (31–40)
Recipetimelesz
This song, one of the tracks on a double A-side single, was chosen as the theme for the TV Asahi drama “Papa to Oyaji no Uchi Gohan.” It’s a piece that closely aligns with the drama’s worldview, in which member So Matsushima stars and Shuto Inomata appears.
It gently sings about everyday happiness, layering the idea of time spent with someone and mutual support onto the word “recipe.” The music video is set in a kindergarten, capturing the members as teachers interacting with the children, and the warm scenes are truly wonderful.
Please take in their positive message.
Salad for you
It’s a song released by DREAMS COME TRUE.
The lyrics tell a story of going shopping to make a salad—getting jostled by aunties, losing track of the wallet—but in the end pouring on a dressing filled with lots of love.
It all adds up to an irresistibly blissful track!
SpiceToukyou Karankoron
Shokugeki no Soma is a popular cooking manga in Weekly Shonen Jump.
When it was adapted into a TV anime, the ending theme for the first season was Tokyo Karan Koron’s 4th single, “Spice.” It’s a heartwarming song that likens the happiness of being able to laugh with someone precious to a spice.
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
It’s a timeless classic known to everyone.
Although neither the title nor the lyrics have anything to do with food, it was released in the U.S.
under the title “SUKIYAKI,” and in 1963 it impressively held the No.
1 spot on the U.S.
charts for three consecutive weeks.
Naturally, this was the first achievement of its kind by an Asian artist.
Nikki Nyakki
“Why do I have to eat things I don’t like?!” I think many of you had this experience when you were children.
In this song, when you recite a magic phrase, the foods you dislike disappear, and any foods you like appear! It’s like a song that’s on the side of children!
[2026] Songs about cooking: a curated list of recommended Japanese classics (41–50)
Chocolate DiscoPerfume
Perfume, the trio that represents Japanese techno.
This is a song where you can really savor their charm.
With a Valentine’s Day theme, it depicts the back-and-forth between a girl with a pounding heart and a boy who’s clearly just as flustered but acts like, “I’m not bothered at all.” It’s an indispensable track for Valentine’s Day! And now I’m craving chocolate…
Breakfast SongTeshima Aoi
This is a song included in the 2011 Studio Ghibli-produced album “From Up on Poppy Hill Song Collection.” It features gentle melodies that sing about making breakfast.
The piece captures the bustling yet happy moments leading up to sending the family off.