22 Cooking Gifts For Every Food Lover

Here is my roundup of the 22 best cooking gifts for the home chefs and foodies on your holiday shopping list.

As the winter holiday season can get hectic, I like to get an early start on gift shopping. For me, that means looking through the internet for the best cooking gifts for the many home cooks in my life. To help you navigate finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones, I’ve narrowed down some of my favorite kitchen tools that I use regularly that I think any home chef would appreciate getting this holiday season. You can also shop for gifts at JOC Goods this holiday season.

Here are 22 of the best cooking gifts that are sure to delight the foodies in your life and help them kick their home cooking game up a notch. I hope you find something your loved ones will love to help celebrate the holiday season.

Reviews of the Best Cooking Gifts

1. For the One Who’s Always Making Rice: Zojirushi Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer

For me, a meal often just isn’t complete without a bowlful of freshly steamed rice. If someone on your holiday shopping list agrees, a rice cooker should be an essential appliance in their kitchen. Though this model isn’t cheap, it’s worth the price — I’ve had mine for as long as I can remember. Made in Japan, it’s spacious and can accommodate up to 5.5 cups of rice. With presets for different varieties and preparations — from brown to sushi to sweet congee — this model uses AI to precisely calibrate pressure to cook almost any kind of rice (and even oats) to perfection. It makes perfect rice every time, and it even plays a song to indicate when your rice is ready to eat!

2. For the Spice Lover: Mortar and Hinoki Wood Pestle Set

Credit: JOC Goods

The Japanese Suribachi (pottery mortar bowl) is my go-to tool for making sesame dressing or mashing potatoes. The inside of the bowl has been specially grooved to create an ideal surface for crushing and grinding spices, mashing tofu or potatoes, and making salad dressing or sauces. The convenient pouring spout simplifies transferring liquids. It can even double as a beautiful decor piece on the countertop.

3. For the Pour-Over Enthusiasts: Hario V60 “Buono” Drip Kettle

Credit: Amazon

If you’re shopping for a coffee enthusiast who is looking to up their home brewing game, look no further than this kettle, which you might recognize from the coffee shop in your neighborhood. I love my pour-over coffee, and many coffee professionals say that it gives the most nuanced and flavorful cup. You’ll need a gooseneck kettle to do so because its narrow spout helps pour hot water more gently to thoroughly immerse coffee grinds for a full-bodied brew. It’s the one I use, and it’s also lightweight and comfortable to hold, making the pour-over process easier. Be sure to get them the brand’s pour-over cone if they don’t already have one!

4. For the Home Chef: NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press

Perfect for people who are always adding tofu to their meals, this tofu press is so handy. In 10 to 30 minutes, they’ll be able to squeeze out the moisture from the tofu block, eliminating any lengthy process they were previously doing. It comes with a water catcher tray and a marinating lid, too. 

5. For the One Who Drinks Matcha: Handcrafted Golden Bamboo Matcha Whisk

Matcha (抹茶), or finely milled green tea powder, has become quite popular these days and it’s important to acknowledge its roots. In Japan, the preparation and serving of matcha can be a highly ritualized affair, as in the ochakai (お茶会), or tea ceremony. With a chasen (茶筌), or tea whisk, you’re giftee can enjoy fresh matcha at home. I recommend this one if you’re shopping for someone who is already a matcha fan or is interested in learning more about Japanese tea culture. Gift them some matcha (more on that later), so they can start making tea immediately.

6. For the Sushi Obsessed: JapanBargain Sushi Making Kit

As noted in our Ultimate Sushi Guide, few Japanese foods are as globally beloved as sushi. While it’s possible to spend hundreds of dollars on omakase at some of the finest restaurants in the world, sushi is, ultimately, all about sumeshi (酢飯), or rice with sweetened vinegar. As such, this is a dish that is actually much more accessible to the home cook than you may realize. This kit from JapanBargain makes it accessible to almost anyone. It comes complete with a hangiri (the wooden bowl in which steamed rice is mixed with sweetened vinegar), three bamboo rice paddles, and three rolling mats ideal for making rolled (maki) sushi. Designed to serve 3-4 people, it’s easy to use. If you need instructions on how to prepare rice for your sushi, check out my video guide!

7. For the At-Home Dessert Lover: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine

Credit: Amazon

This ice cream maker is a super fun present for the person in your life who loves to make sweet treats right from the comfort of their home. It can make frozen treats in 20 minutes or less, and you don’t even need to add any ice since the bowl is double-insulated. Complete with a spouted transparent lock lid, they can make yummy desserts like my Matcha Ice Cream and Pineapple Sorbet.

8. For the Cozy Tea Drinker: HandinEEon Electric Kettle 

Credit: Walmart

If they’re always reaching for their tea pot to make warm Masala Chai or Royal Milk Tea, you can easily upgrade their setup by getting them this 1.7-liter electric kettle. It heats up quickly (it can boil water in around 6 minutes) and features a LED light around the rim so they know when it’s on. It also has an automatic shut-off setting so if they accidentally forget to turn it off, they’ll still be safe and sound. 

Bonus: Gift them the ingredients to a cozy winter beverage, too, so they’re ready to conquer upcoming chilly temperatures.

9. For the One Who Packs Lunch Every Day: Zojirushi Ms. Bento Stainless Lunch Jar

Credit: Amazon

Whether they’re trying to save money or simply enjoy the charm of a home-cooked meal on the go, there are few experiences more satisfying than cracking open a nourishing bento at lunchtime. I like this one from Zojirushi that allows you to give that experience to someone special on your shopping list. 

It comes with two microwave-safe bowls nested inside a vacuum-insulated stainless steel jar that will keep your meal hot (or cold) for hours. The jar, together with the included chopsticks and chopstick holder, fits neatly into the provided tote, making this a compact and convenient food storage option on the go. If you or your loved ones could use some inspiration for packing your bento, I’ve got you covered with these budget-friendly recipes!

10. For the Baker: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer

Credit: Amazon

This iconic stand mixer is an essential for bakers. Whether they love experimenting with different cookie flavors or fun, punchy tarts, this baking accessory will make their lives way easier. It comes with a 5-quart stainless steel mixing bowl that’s dishwasher-safe, along with 10 mixing speeds for whipping cream or kneading bread dough. 

11. For the Serious Chef: de Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan

A good flat-bottomed fry pan is essential in a well-equipped kitchen, and I believe we’ve found one of the best on the market in this 11-inch carbon steel option. Made in France by de Buyer, a manufacturer with nearly two centuries of experience in the industry, it’s sure to meet the needs of the most serious home cooks. Carbon steel is more lightweight than cast iron and conducts heat better than stainless steel. With proper seasoning, it can also be made non-stick without any of the chemicals found in artificial non-stick coatings. If well taken care of, it should last the home cook on your shopping list for years. 

12. For the One Who Hates Grating Ginger: Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Grater

If you’re a long-time follower of Just One Cookbook, you may already be familiar with this grater from Kyocera, which is one of my favorite kitchen tools. I use it to finely grate all sorts of things, mostly ginger, but also onions, daikon, and even parmesan cheese. I love that it saves the juice created when grating and has a non-slip silicone ring on the bottom, preventing it from moving around on the countertop while I’m grating. If you’re shopping for someone who loves to make Japanese curry, salad dressing, or honey ginger tea, this grater will make their time in the kitchen easier.

13. For the Soup Lover: Staub 5.5-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Credit: Amazon

A Dutch oven is a must-have in anyone’s kitchen, but especially if they love making hearty soups and stews. This pick from Staub is one of my favorites because it’s very heavy duty — the cast iron design has a nonstick coating and can easily go from the stovetop to the oven. (It’s oven-safe up to 900 degrees F!) It’s also available in a ton of different colors so you can pick an option that best fits their kitchen decor. 

14. For the One Who Hates Prep Work: Kyocera Adjustable Ceramic Mandoline

Credit: Walmart

Kyocera has a knack for creating convenient and affordable kitchen gadgets, so they appear twice on this list. If you’re looking for a cooking gift for someone who cooks as much as I do, they probably spend a large amount of time doing prep work, like slicing fruits and vegetables, so anything that can simplify and expedite that process is much appreciated. This adjustable ceramic mandoline from Kyocera does just that. More precise and efficient than slicing with a knife, its ceramic blades are also designed to last up to 10 times as long as similar steel blades, and it’s dishwasher safe!

15. For the Ramen Lover: JOC Goods Wave Ripple Ramen Bowl

Credit: JOC Goods

The ramen lover in your life deserves a gorgeous bowl to enjoy their favorite meal in. I love this Mino ware bowl featured on JOC Goods that was crafted by artisans who have carefully decorated this bowl with a traditional ripple wave pattern. It’s stunning and both dishwasher and microwave safe. They’re sure to enjoy eating Shoyu Ramen or Vegetarian Ramen from it.

16. For the One Always Eating Leftovers: Crock-Pot 20-Ounce Electric Lunch Box

Credit: Walmart

The Crock-Pot electric lunch box is a unique gift to give someone who is always taking leftovers to work the following day. The 20-ounce personal size is convenient and I like that it comes with a detachable cord, a seal-and-store lid, and a warming base and lid. Whether they plan to enjoy a cozy stew or some teriyaki-inspired chicken, it’s a great little appliance to give a loved one. 

17. For the Sober Friend: Asahi Dry Zero Non-Alcohol

Credit: Amazon

If you know someone who doesn’t drink, this non-alcoholic Japanese beverage is a fun gift for them to try! It tastes like beer and is even free from carbs and calories, too. It’s a thoughtful add-on for holiday parties or New Year’s Eve, especially when paired with yummy snacks and appetizers like my Spicy Edamame. 

18. For the Japanese Food Lovers: Just One Cookbook Essential Japanese Recipes

Perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I think my cookbook that’s filled with essential Japanese recipes is an awesome gift for home chefs. From California rolls to green tea ice cream, they can cook their way through my guide to all-things Japanese cooking. As a bonus, you can even give them the ingredients to one of the recipes in the cookbook, or a piece of serving ware from JOC Goods!

19. For the Family who Enjoys Hot Pot, Soup, & Stew: Family-Size Donabe

If you’re looking for a meaningful and classy gift for an entire family, I highly recommend a beautiful donabe (Japanese earthen clay pot). It’s the perfect vessel for serving hot pots, soups, stews, curries, and rice dishes. Not only does it create flavorful dishes, but it also brings a touch of rustic Japanese warmth to their home. With proper care, it can even become a cherished family heirloom to pass down to the next generation.

20. For the Busy Cook: Instant Pot Duo 

I absolutely LOVE my Instant Pot, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m suggesting this as a present! Affordably priced, this appliance has 7 functionalities including pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, steamer, and more. Your giftee can choose between cooking slow or fast thanks to the 13 customizable smart programs for pressure cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, and others. 

21. For the Person Always On-the-Go: Fellow 12-Ounce Carter Travel Mug

If they’re always grabbing their coffee, tea, or matcha to go, this travel mag from Fellow is a great gift. The sleek appearance is available in a ton of neutral and fun colors and the double-wall vacuum-insulation can retain heat for up to 12 hours, or stay cold for up to 24. It’s also dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, and boasts a stylish ceramic finish. 

22. For the Authentic Matcha Drinker: Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend

Remember when I recommended gifting a bamboo matcha whisk? Paired with my favorite ceremonial matcha, this is the perfect present for those who appreciate the slow, traditional process of homemade matcha. I personally love this blend from Naoki because of its great quality, mild flavor, and consistently reliable taste. If you really want to go all out, you can even give them a cup from JOC Goods, like the Modern Indigo Lattice Cup. 

Prices were accurate at time of publishing.