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I’m more likely to cook healthy meals because of these Japanese kitchen tools.

Japanese Tools for Healthy Eating

• For the Smoothest Scrambles: Seki Japan Egg Mix Stick$13
• Petite but Powerful Rice Cooker: Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Compact Rice Cooker$152 (was $162)
• Veggie Prep Made Easy: Paudin 7-Inch Nakiri Knife$44
• Steam in Any Pot: Yoshikawa Steamer Insert$37
• For Effortless Stir-Fries: Kaqinu 14-Piece Carbon Steel Wok and Tools Set$36 (was $43)

I’ve been lucky enough to try lots of Japanese kitchen tools that make cooking a real joy: Carbon steel knives slip through even the hardest vegetables, soft cypress cutting boards protect said knives and craggy mortar and pestles grind spices into fine dust. And many of these tools make cooking at home healthier, too. When I was in graduate school working on my Public Health Nutrition degree, my favorite professor often stated that our mission was to “make the healthy choice the easy choice.” It’s the one rule I try to live by. Clever Japanese kitchen tools, cookware and small appliances, from egg separators to rice cookersare designed to do just that. See my picks below for making healthy cooking at home a breeze.

Best Japanese Kitchen Tools and Knives at Amazon

These Japanese kitchen tools offer deft solutions to common kitchen problems, like a bladed mixing stick to separate stringy chalazae from egg whites or long, grippy cooking chopsticks to protect your hands from heat while whipping up a healthy stir-fry.

• LuoCoCo Egg Separator$8
• Dopmep Rice Washer Strainer Bowl$19
• Hoshanho 7-Inch Nakiri Knife$66
• Shun Cutlery Hinoki 3-Piece Cutting Board Set$150
• Miuquilaiy Onigiri Rice Ball Mold Maker Kit, Set of 3$8
• Rockhouse 16.5-Inch Cooking Chopsticks$5 (was $6)
• Benriner Mandoline Slicer$32
• Seki Japan Egg Mix Stick$13
• UchiCook Miso Muddler Whisk$7 (was $8)
• Sunkuka 3-in-1 Julienne Peeler$13
• Paudin 7-Inch Nakiri Knife$44

LuoCoCo Egg Separator

$8 at Amazon

Egg white omelet, anyone? This adorable chicken-shaped tool neatly separates whites and yolks by pouring the white through its beak. If you’ve ever felt unenthused about this task and therefore decided against a light, veggie-packed, egg-white-only omelet or scramble for breakfast, rest assured that this sweet tool makes it an absolute joy.

Benriner Mandoline Slicer

$32 at Amazon

The same goes for quick salads. I’m infinitely more likely to throw together shaved veggies as a crunchy, nourishing side if I can use one easy tool rather than haul out a cutting board and knife.

Best Japanese Cookware at Amazon

Many types of Japanese cookware are designed to provide even heat, which can make cooking with less fat an easy endeavor. For example, rectangular omelet pans gently and consistently heat eggs and veggies for rolled omelets, for tender eggs with a fraction of the oil. I treasure my clay-pot donabe for sealing moisture in nutritious soups, stews, braises and brown rice.

• Yosukata 13.5-Inch Carbon Steel Wok$63
• Kaqinu 14-Piece Carbon Steel Wok and Tools Set$36 (was $43)
• Chef Tamagoyaki Japanese Omelet Pan$25
• VanEnjoy Microwavable Ramen Bowl with Lid$18
• Yoshikawa Steamer Insert$37
• Deayou Stainless Steel Saucepan with Steamer$22
• Ginpo Banko Ware Earthenware Donation$55 (was $60)
• Lake Tian 2.1-Quart Ceramic Cooking Pot$50
• Kourikka 2.5-Quart Yukihira Saucepan$60
• Vermicular Enameled Cast-Iron Oven Pot 2.0$280

Yoshikawa Steamer Insert

$37 at Amazon

Convert almost any pot into a steamer with this brilliant stainless steel insert. Fit it into one of your existing pots—it should sit on the lip—and steam vegetables, fish, dumplings and more.

Ginpo Banko Ware Earthenware Donation

$60 $55 at Amazon

Banko ware is made with Japanese “banko clay,” which is rich with minerals that make it particularly resistant to high heat. I swear by my banko ware donabe, which I use for satisfying stews, light curries, rich braises, nourishing soups and rice and grains of all types.

Best Japanese Small Appliances at Amazon

I adore my Japanese small appliances not just for their user-friendly design but also for how much time and work they save me when I’m cooking. One of my first coffee makers was the Zojirushi Zuttowhich had me enjoying a rich, smooth brew at home rather than forking money out for sugary café coffees. And I use Zojirushi’s rice cooker multiple times a week for meal prep and simple, one-appliance meals.

• Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Compact Rice Cooker$152 (was $162)
• Toshiba 6-Cup Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker$150
• Zojirushi 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer$229
• Vermicular Musui–Kamado Cast-Iron Induction Cooker$670
• Hario Glass Microwave Rice Pot$22 (was $24)
• Mojoco Rapid Egg Cooker$43
• Zojirushi Zutto 5-Cup Coffee Maker$74 (was $90)

Zojirushi 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer

$229 at Amazon

Zojirushi’s roomy, 5.5-cup rice cooker is worth every penny — it’s the appliance that’s made the biggest difference in my meal prep. Batch prep hearty whole grains like farro, steel-cut oats, brown rice or quinoa, or fit the steamer tray with salmon and veggies to make a complete meal in one go.

Mojoco Rapid Egg Cooker

$43 at Amazon

This lightweight egg cooker will make hard-boiled, soft-boiled and steamed eggs with just the touch of a button. Having perfectly cooked eggs ready to go in the fridge all week is a lifesaver when looking for a little extra protein.

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