I go searching for useful kitchen items every single day, so when I encounter a hidden store that’s teeming with specialty gadgets, I get fired up. The latest one I’ve discovered is Amazon’s Japanese storefront, a hidden section full of minimalist, well-crafted gear made in Japan. If you love sushi, miso soup, and other Japanese foods, you’ll be just as excited as I am to have found this store. It’s filled with chopsticks, sushi molds, soup bowls, and other great tools for Japanese cooking. I found nine kitchen gadgets you can get today, all under $15.
The Best Kitchen Tools Under $15 at Amazon’s Japanese Outlet
Musuubi Japan Japanese Chopsticks
Amazon
My son and daughter-in-law have mastered the art of using chopsticks, and this two-pack wooden set will look stunning next to their bowls of ramen. One set is black, the other is red, and both offer a beautiful cherry blossom design. At $3.50 apiece, the set is a no-brainer buy.
Kotobuki Goma Slicky Sesame Seed Grinder
Amazon
Sesame seeds are a staple in Japanese cuisine, and this clever gadget grinds them up for sushi, salad, and dessert garnishes. It can additionally be used to grind up flaxseeds, quinoa, and spices. Shoppers say this $7 tool adds an “extra oomph” to meals.
Inomata 1150 2-Piece Rice Paddle Set
Amazon
Whether making sushi, stir-fry, or mochi, rice is a main part of the dish. Rice paddles, with their flat designs, scoop up this sticky ingredient with ease. The Inomata set includes two paddles in 7.5 and 6.25 inches at just $2 apiece.
Love Love Japan Japanese Julienne Peeler Set
Amazon
Preparing carrots, cucumbers, squash, and other vegetables for Japanese dishes is a simple task with these vegetable peelers. The set comes with a vegetable Y-shaped peeler and a julienne peeler to create garnishes and noodles. Grab the duo while it’s on sale for $6.
JapanBargain Japanese Sushi Mold
Amazon
If you love onigiri, otherwise known as Japanese rice balls, snag this simple mold to make them from scratch. Amazon shoppers noted that using this triangular-shaped sushi mold is easier and faster than forming them by hand.
Noguchi Matcha Sifter
Amazon
Matcha tea drinkers know that this fine powder tends to get lumpy, which is where this stainless steel sifter comes in. Clumps are sifted through the mesh and turned back into a fine powdery form. The sifter also works well for dusting cocoa powder or confectioners’ sugar onto desserts.
Zen Gift Tenugui Japanese Traditional Towel
Amazon
This 100% cotton kitchen towel is “very durable, soft, absorbent, and dries quickly,” noted shoppers. Plus, according to the brand, its edges don’t fray. Choose from 15 different colors and patterns to match your kitchen decor.
Product of Gifu Seki Japan Cheese Knife
Amazon
Add a stylish touch to cheese, fruits, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs with this Seki Japan cheese knife. Its multiple ridges help slice through ingredients without sticking while creating a fun crinkle-cut design. “It makes veggies or whatever you are cutting look special,” wrote one reviewer.
Otsumami Tokyo Japanese Soup Bowl
Amazon
This 5- x 2.6-inch bowl is perfect for filling with noodles, rice, soups, and more. The bowl is made out of resin and has a stunning woodgrain-like effect. Since it’s dishwasher-safe, cleanup is easy.
AloJapan.com