[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: a curated list of recommended Japanese classics (41–50)
Ice Cream Song
A classic kids’ song, it’s the ice cream song.
The onomatopoeia in the lyrics is so fun that all children are sure to love it.
It may not be about a prince, but it’s a number that makes you happy to have been born in the modern era where ice cream exists—one that could be said to benefit from electric appliances.
Dinner is ready.Yano Akiko
It’s the title track from Akiko Yano’s fourth album, “Gohan ga Dekitayo.” The lyrics evoke a quintessential Showa-era Japanese landscape, while the Chinese-influenced, ethnic-style arrangement is a deliberate mismatch that creates a pleasant, pan-Asian vibe.
Incidentally, it was covered by Noriyuki Makihara in 2005, and by YUKI (formerly of Judy and Mary)—with Yano herself also appearing— in 2006.
Curry and rice
This is a song about making curry and rice.
First come the ingredients.
Then the seasoning.
In the end, we eat it deliciously.
It’s nice that it can be sung as a call-and-response between parents and children.
Everyone loves curry and often makes it, so how about singing this song together too?
Today’s soupOizumi Yo
This is a song collaboration between Yo Oizumi and Stardust Revue that came about after they appeared together on a radio show.
The music was composed by Stardust Revue’s Kaname Nemoto, and the lyrics were written by Yo Oizumi.
I think many people don’t know that Yo Oizumi has released songs before, but he’s actually pretty good at singing—so good it’ll make you laugh (in a good way).
Lord Vegeta’s Cooking Hell!! — The “Okonomiyaki” Arc —Horikawa Ryou
This is a character song for Vegeta, a character from the hugely popular anime series Dragon Ball.
For some reason, the song features a wildly out-of-character Vegeta making okonomiyaki.
Hearing him cook okonomiyaki in that voice is pure chaos.
DONUT SONGYamashita Tatsuro
This is a song released in 1996 that Tatsuro Yamashita wrote specifically for a Mister Donut commercial.
I can’t help but wonder if he wrote the lyrics with the Mister Donut that used to be on Shibuya Koen-dori in mind at the time.
Honestly, it’s so full of donuts that it makes you want to go to Mister Donut (lol).
Mt. Blanc, itadaki (summit/peak)yakushimaruetsuko d.v.d
This is a track by d.v.d, a unit featuring Etsuko Yakushimaru—famous as the vocalist of Sōtaisei Riron—twin drummers Itoken and Jimanica, and video artist Takashi Yamaguchi.
The whisper-like vocals and game-like melodies strangely fit together.