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The best Japanese kitchen knives to shop now
These must-have tools are sure to sharpen up your culinary creativity.🔪
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Appreciated the world over for their sharpness and precision, a specialist Japanese kitchen knife is a worthwhile tool in every culinary arsenal. Whether you’re a keen chef preparing a feast of sashimi and sushi rolls or an everyday cook chopping up carrots and potatoes for a stew, they're a real pleasure to use. Here’s why they make an excellent investment.
The blades on a Japanese kitchen knife tend to be super sharp. ‘This is because they’re generally made from a harder steel,’ explains Rob Falconer from ProCook. This makes them perfect for fiddly kitchen tasks. ‘Thinner and sharper blades mean the knives are lighter and more balanced in the hand than others,’ he says. ‘They're a great option far beyond just Japanese cuisine and can handle all precise kitchen prep tasks, whether it’s filleting, dicing or slicing.’
Aside from their culinary credentials, Japanese kitchen knives will become a talking point on any kitchen counter. They are visually attractive, with some (such as the sashimi knife) having a particularly long and thin blade. They also tend to have interesting ripples on their blades (to give a smoother cut and prevent food sticking) while some feature intricately-designed handles.
Compared to ordinary kitchen knives, Japanese designs do require extra care. ‘It’s important to keep them sharp continuously,’ says Wolfgang Hess, a former chef who is now an expert at knife maintenance brand Tormek. ‘They should be cleaned by hand using a mild detergent,’ he explains, ‘and never placed in a dishwasher. Wooden handles should not be soaked, but instead treated only occasionally with Camellia oil.’ To keep them in fabulous shape, Japanese knives should always be stored on a magnetic strip or in the knife block they were purchased in.
So, if you're on the hunt for the perfect Japanese knifes, here's a round up of our favourites below:
With eyecatching Pakkawood handles and grained blades, these knives will look beautiful in any kitchen. They can handle every kitchen task, making them an excellent value investment.
This knife has been designed especially to cut through tough bread, with engraving and even a leather scabbard available as optional extras.
Featuring nakiri and santoku knives (used for vegetables and meat or fish respectively) as well as more general-purpose chef and carving blades, this set is perfect for beginner sushi chefs.
ProCook Nihon X50 Knife Set 5 Piece and Black Magnetic Block
With five knives on a smart magnetic unit, this is a statement block that will become a talking point in your kitchen.
Made in Japan's Seki City, this knife duo is an ideal solution for beginners. Beautifully presented, it makes a perfect gift too.
This is an excellent all-rounder as it can perform most kitchen jobs - but this is not one for beginners! In Japan, only executive chefs tend to use this type of knife as the blade is so sensitive.
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