[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 food: A recommended collection of J-pop classics (51–60)
Fish Heaven
A classic song that’s the go-to BGM for fresh seafood sections in supermarkets all across Japan.
When people hear “Osakana Tengoku” (Fish Heaven), many probably start craving fish as a reflex.
It mentions lots of different kinds of fish, so it’s fun to memorize, too.
Swim! Taiyaki-kun
Taiyaki is loved by everyone, but this song is sung from the taiyaki’s point of view.
It teaches us that how things appear changes depending on where you place your focus.
In the end, whether it’s that it realizes it can only be itself or something else, a heartbreakingly bittersweet ending awaits.
Half-Boiled RhapsodyRAG FAIR
In 2001, the a cappella group RAG FAIR made their major debut from the popular segment “Hamonep” on Fuji TV’s variety show “Chikara no Kagiri Go Go Go!!”.
This release lets you fully enjoy their charm, with a unique lyrical worldview and distinctive arrangements.
It’s a fun track that humorously compares a mismatched relationship between a man and a woman to a soft-boiled egg.
Kakima Z!UNICORN
This song was improvised and performed by Unicorn to fit the theme when they appeared as guests on TV Asahi’s music variety show “Kanjam Kanzen SHOW.” Watching them create something from zero to one, and then gradually build it up to a hundred, is nothing short of impressive! It’s included in the 2017 release “Album Non-Included Tracks Collection UC30: Rejuvenated Labor Remastered.” A must-listen!
In conclusion
As I mentioned at the beginning, we can’t ignore food in our lives, so when food or dishes appear in lyrics, it’s easy to picture the scene and you can’t help but relate to it.
This time I’ve chosen songs that are easy to grasp because they feature food right in the title, but if you read the lyrics, there are plenty of other songs where food plays an important role.
Be sure to keep that in mind as you listen.