Have you ever struggled with frying pans that are supposed to be non-stick, but you keep burning your food, no matter what you do? Having a reliable frying pan can help make cooking much easier. With a multitude of uses, everything from making stir-fries and pasta to pancakes and omelets, the humble frying pan can be used to make just about anything. Japanese frying pans are incredibly reliable, versatile, and easy to maintain. Yet there are so many different brands and materials to choose from, it becomes difficult to know what the best Japanese frying pan is!
Our editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping for the best Japanese frying pans and put them all to the test!
We tested each frying pan for the following:
So just which Japanese frying pans will stand out above the rest? Use this guide as a reference to help you make your decision before purchasing.
Image | 1 ![]() Kohnan | 2 ![]() Bestco | 3 ![]() Kyocera | 4 ![]() Urushiyama | 5 ![]() Keyuka | 6 ![]() Iris Ohyama | 7 ![]() Hokuriku Aluminum | 8 ![]() Teleken | 9 ![]() Pearl Metal | 10 ![]() Hokuriku Aluminum |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | LIFELEX Frying Pan | Phylite IH Frying Pan | Cerabrid® Frying Pan | Moderno Fry Pan | Timant II IH Frying Pan | Diamond Coated Frying Pan | Senren Cast Frying Pan | Flavor Stone Sauté Pan | Super Blue Marble Light IH-Compatible Frying Pan | Meister 2-Layer Clad Frying Pan |
Features | A Lightweight Frying Pan With a Great Non-Slip Grip | A Pan With Minimal Hot or Cold Spots | Quick to Heat With Even Distribution, but Not the Most Durable | Even Heat Distribution and Great Heat Retention | A Great Pan for Stir-Fries | A Quick-Heating Japanese Frying Pan | Even Heat Distribution but Awkward Handle | Even Heat Distribution, but Not So Durable | An Incredibly Lightweight and Easy-to-Manage Pan | Overall Good Non-Stick, but Difficult to Hold |
Price | $28.84 | $16.71 | $28.81 | $44.02 | $19.26 | $19.18 | $45.58 | $51.99 | $24.46 | $50.55 |
Japanese | コーナン LIFELEX フライパン | ベストコ フィライト IHフライパン | 京セラ セラブリッド® フライパン | ウルシヤマ モデルノ フライパン | ケユカ Timant II IH フライパン | アイリスオーヤマ ダイヤモンドコートフライパン | 北陸アルミニウム センレンキャスト閃 | テレビショッピング研究所フレーバーストーン ソテーパン | パール金属 スーパーブルーマーブル軽いね IH対応フライパン | 北陸アルミニウム マイスター2層クラッド フライパン |
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 24 cm (9.44 in.) | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) | Approximately 27 cm (10.6 in.) |
Length | Approximately 46.5 cm (18.3 in.) | Approximately 46.5 cm (18.3 in.) | Approximately 46.8 cm (18.4 in.) | Approximately 45.9 cm (18 in.) | Approximately 46.6 cm (18.3 in.) | Approximately 47.5 cm (18.7 in.) | Approximately 49.1 cm (19.3 in.) | N/A | Approximately 47.5 cm (18.7 in.) | Approximately 47.5 cm (18.7 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 6 cm (2.4in) | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) | Approximately 5.5 cm (2.1 in.) | Approximately 5.2 cm (2.04 in.) | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) | Approximately 4 cm (1.57 in.) | Approximately 5.5 cm (2.1 in.) | Approximately 6.5 cm (2.6 in.) |
Weight | Approximately 600 g (21.1 lbs) | 670 g (23.6 lbs) | 855 g (30.1 lbs) | 810 g (28.5 lbs) | 656 g (23.1 lbs) | 710 g (25 lbs) | 880 g (31 lbs) | 900 g (31.7 lbs) | 646 g (22.8 lbs) | 880 g (31 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Stainless steel, aluminum | Aluminum | Stainless steel, aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde | Phenol formaldehyde | Phenol formaldehyde | Phenol formaldehyde | Phenol formaldehyde | Phenol formaldehyde | Wood | Phenol formaldehyde | Phenol formaldehyde | Stainless steel |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stoves, gas stoves, halogen heaters, radiant heaters, electric plate coils, electric stoves | Induction stoves, gas stoves | Induction stoves, gas stoves | Induction stove, gas stove | Induction stoves, gas stoves | Induction stoves, gas stoves, radiant heaters | Induction stove (100 ot 200 V), gas stoves, halogen heaters, radient heaters, electric stoves | Induction stove, gas stove, ceramic heater, electric stove | Induction stove, gas stove, halogen heater, sheathed heater, enclosure heater, radiant heater | Induction stoves, gas stoves |
Coating | Fluorine processing (3 layers) | Flourine processing | Ceramic | Fluorine processing | Fluororesin diamond coating | Fluorine coating (diamond) | Fluorine processing (Teflon Platinum Plus) | Stone coating | Fluorine processing | Fluorine processing (Teflon Platinum) |
Overall score | 3.76 | 3.70 | 3.69 | 3.51 | 3.48 | 3.47 | 3.45 | 3.44 | 3.37 | 3.36 |
Non-stick | 4.0 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.5 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.2 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 4.6 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
Heat distribution | 3.5 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
Lightness | 4.7 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 3.3 |
Handle grip | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 3.2 |
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Now to introduce the 10 best Japanese frying pans available online.
*Some prices may be converted from the original Japanese prices to US dollars for your convenience.
$28.84
Japanese | コーナン LIFELEX フライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 46.5 cm (18.3 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 6 cm (2.4in) |
Weight | Approximately 600 g (21.1 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stoves, gas stoves, halogen heaters, radiant heaters, electric plate coils, electric stoves |
Coating | Fluorine processing (3 layers) |
Overall score | 3.76 |
Non-stick | 4.0 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.2 |
Heat distribution | 3.5 |
Lightness | 4.7 |
Handle grip | 5.0 |
$16.71
Japanese | ベストコ フィライト IHフライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 46.5 cm (18.3 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) |
Weight | 670 g (23.6 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stoves, gas stoves |
Coating | Flourine processing |
Overall score | 3.70 |
Non-stick | 3.4 |
Thermal conductivity | 4.0 |
Heat distribution | 5.0 |
Lightness | 4.2 |
Handle grip | 5.0 |
$28.81
Japanese | 京セラ セラブリッド® フライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 46.8 cm (18.4 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) |
Weight | 855 g (30.1 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stoves, gas stoves |
Coating | Ceramic |
Overall score | 3.69 |
Non-stick | 3.7 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.9 |
Heat distribution | 3.5 |
Lightness | 3.3 |
Handle grip | 4.0 |
$44.02
Japanese | ウルシヤマ モデルノ フライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 45.9 cm (18 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 5.5 cm (2.1 in.) |
Weight | 810 g (28.5 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stove, gas stove |
Coating | Fluorine processing |
Overall score | 3.51 |
Non-stick | 3.4 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.8 |
Heat distribution | 4.0 |
Lightness | 3.4 |
Handle grip | 4.0 |
$19.26
Japanese | ケユカ Timant II IH フライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 46.6 cm (18.3 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 5.2 cm (2.04 in.) |
Weight | 656 g (23.1 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stoves, gas stoves |
Coating | Fluororesin diamond coating |
Overall score | 3.48 |
Non-stick | 3.4 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.2 |
Heat distribution | 3.5 |
Lightness | 4.4 |
Handle grip | 5.0 |
$19.18
Japanese | アイリスオーヤマ ダイヤモンドコートフライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 47.5 cm (18.7 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) |
Weight | 710 g (25 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stoves, gas stoves, radiant heaters |
Coating | Fluorine coating (diamond) |
Overall score | 3.47 |
Non-stick | 3.3 |
Thermal conductivity | 4.6 |
Heat distribution | 3.3 |
Lightness | 3.9 |
Handle grip | 5.0 |
$45.58
Japanese | 北陸アルミニウム センレンキャスト閃 |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 49.1 cm (19.3 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 6 cm (2.4 in.) |
Weight | 880 g (31 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Wood |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stove (100 ot 200 V), gas stoves, halogen heaters, radient heaters, electric stoves |
Coating | Fluorine processing (Teflon Platinum Plus) |
Overall score | 3.45 |
Non-stick | 3.5 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.2 |
Heat distribution | 3.5 |
Lightness | 3.3 |
Handle grip | 4.0 |
$51.99
Japanese | テレビショッピング研究所フレーバーストーン ソテーパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 24 cm (9.44 in.) |
Length | N/A |
Depth | Approximately 4 cm (1.57 in.) |
Weight | 900 g (31.7 lbs) |
Pan material | Stainless steel, aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stove, gas stove, ceramic heater, electric stove |
Coating | Stone coating |
Overall score | 3.44 |
Non-stick | 3.4 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.2 |
Heat distribution | 5.0 |
Lightness | 3.3 |
Handle grip | 5.0 |
$24.46
Japanese | パール金属 スーパーブルーマーブル軽いね IH対応フライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 26 cm (10.2 in.) |
Length | Approximately 47.5 cm (18.7 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 5.5 cm (2.1 in.) |
Weight | 646 g (22.8 lbs) |
Pan material | Aluminum |
Handle material | Phenol formaldehyde |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stove, gas stove, halogen heater, sheathed heater, enclosure heater, radiant heater |
Coating | Fluorine processing |
Overall score | 3.37 |
Non-stick | 3.2 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.5 |
Heat distribution | 3.3 |
Lightness | 4.2 |
Handle grip | 5.0 |
$50.55
Japanese | 北陸アルミニウム マイスター2層クラッド フライパン |
---|---|
Diameter | Approximately 27 cm (10.6 in.) |
Length | Approximately 47.5 cm (18.7 in.) |
Depth | Approximately 6.5 cm (2.6 in.) |
Weight | 880 g (31 lbs) |
Pan material | Stainless steel, aluminum |
Handle material | Stainless steel |
Compatible heat sources | Induction stoves, gas stoves |
Coating | Fluorine processing (Teflon Platinum) |
Overall score | 3.36 |
Non-stick | 3.5 |
Thermal conductivity | 3.2 |
Heat distribution | 3.3 |
Lightness | 3.3 |
Handle grip | 3.2 |
We purchased the top best-selling Japanese frying pans from Japanese websites like Amazon and Yahoo! Shopping and put them all to the test.
We tested each frying pan for the following:
For the sake of consistency, all the frying pans we bought were roughly around 26 cm (10.2 in.).
First, we tested how non-stick each pan was. To do this, we cooked eggs with the pan without using any oil to check how non-stick the frying pans were when brand new.
Then, in order to simulate wear and tear, we rubbed sandpaper onto the center of the pans and then cooked more eggs.
Next, we tested each one for how well each pan conducts heat, since frying pans that quickly get hot are easier to use.
To test this, we poured 600 ml (roughly 2.5 cups) of water into the pans and turned on the heat to check how fast the water would boil.
Next, we tested how evenly each pan distributed heat.
After heating each pan for one minute, we then photographed them with a thermographic camera to check for any hot or cold spots.
In this test, we checked how each pan weighed.
Lighter pans were given higher scores, as lighter pans are usually easier to use.
Finally, we checked how easy it was to hold the handles of the pans.
To test for this, we gripped each handle to check whether or not it had uncomfortable edges that dug into our hands as well as how non-slip they were.
Before purchasing a frying pan, we would like you to consider the following points. We also included some information about how to store and take care of your pan to get the best out of it.
Most frying pans are manufactured with a coating that prevents food from sticking to the surface. You see a lot of frying pans coated with either Teflon or a fluorine resin, making them much more resistant to scratches and damage.
However, no coating lasts forever, and each type of coating offers different pros and cons.
One of the most common types of coating found on aluminum frying pans is a fluorine resin coating, otherwise known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Fluorine resin is actually a soft material that's prone to scratching, making it not the most durable material out there. In order to compensate for fluorine resin's lack of durability, manufacturers have added diamond particles as well as marble particles, which are materials known for their hardness, which are referred to as diamond or marble coatings, which are best for those who want the coating on their pans to last longer.
In recent years, fluorine resin blended with titanium, a material that is resistant to corrosion from acids and salt, known as titanium coating, is becoming increasingly popular.
While Teflon-coated pans are common, Teflon is actually a type of fluororesin coating. In fact, Teflon is simply a type of fluororesin coating which has been trademarked by the American company The Chemours Company (formerly DuPont).
However, where Teflon coating is different from your standard fluororesin coating is the fact that there are five ranks, which vary depending on the materials and thickness of each layer: Basic, Select, Select-Premium, Platinum, and Platinum Pro. The higher the rank, the more expensive they become, but also the more durable.
Usually, manufacturers will label what rank Teflon coating the pan uses on the package, so take a look when buying a new frying pan.
The latest innovation in frying pan coating material is ceramic. While fluorine resin coatings can only withstand up to roughly 280℃ (536°F), ceramic can withstand around 400℃ (752°F), meaning that even if your pan gets too hot, the coating is less likely to come off.
Additionally, ceramic is much harder than fluorine resin and therefore tends to be more durable. However, they're not resistant to impact and can chip easily, so handle them with care. On top of that, you can quickly burn your food if you don't use enough oil.
Frying pans run in a number of sizes, ranging from 4 to 12 inches, so choose the one that best suits your cooking needs and household size.
We also found that the weight of your frying pan will have a large effect on how easy it is to use. Being able to deftly flip and stir your ingredients is important, so try not to purchase a pan that's too heavy.
Even those of you who tend not to make dishes that require constant flipping and stirring will notice the importance of a lightweight pan when washing it, as you'll be able to do so easily while holding it with just one hand.
Most frying pans are made of either aluminum, iron, or stainless steel.
Among those choices, aluminum pans have the best thermal conductivity and are available at a range of different prices, so you'll be able to choose one that best suits your budget. And if you can find one with a decent coating, you'll be able to cook easily with it as well as wash it with little to no stress at all.
Stainless steel pans, are slow to heat up, but they also are slower to cool down, making them great for dishes that you want to keep the heat on for long as well as dishes that you finish off with residual heat. Stainless steel pans are also heavier than aluminum frying pans.
There are some pans that are made from a combination of stainless steel and aluminum to take advantage of the benefits of both materials!
On the other hand, for those of you out there who take cooking seriously, you'll want to choose a frying pan that best suits your recipe needs.
It would be sad if after going through all the trouble of buying a frying pan with a superior coating, you find that food is gradually becoming stuck on it over time. However, there are things you can do to make your frying pan last longer!
First, make sure you're being careful with your heat. If the temperature of the pan gets too high, it will damage the coating over time. Steer clear of using too high a heat when cooking and avoid heating it when it's empty.
If you're using a gas stove, turn the heat on so that the flame is just barely touching the bottom of your pan. Also, try and avoid cooling the pan suddenly right after you finish using it.
Be careful not to scratch the surface! Some frying pans allow for use with metal spatulas and some don't so we recommend using a spatula made of either wood or heat-resistant silicon. We also recommend cleaning it with a soft sponge as opposed to something harder like steel wool.
Each frying pan is different when it comes to what to watch out for so be sure to check the package and read through the instruction booklet carefully to get the most out of it and its coating.
Frying pans with detachable handles can easily be stacked like bowls and stored away but ones without can be a bit more tricky. We recommend partitioning off a part of your drawer or cupboard like in the picture above.
Even if your drawer or cupboard doesn't have its own partitioning, you can easily purchase something like a case or shelf to stick in there, making storage a lot easier.
Also, for those of you with space in your kitchen and who love to show off their cookware, we recommend hanging them either on the wall or above your workspace.
If you want to make tamagoyaki, the Japanese rolled omelet served in sushi restaurants and used in bento lunches, you'll be able to make them even without a special rectangular frying pan. Let's talk about how to do that.
After it's rolled up, place it at the far side of the pan and pour your remaining egg mixture into the near side. Repeat the process from before and you're done! We recommend anyone who loves their rolled omelet to give it a try.
While in the market for a new frying pan, why not check out other stove-top essentials? Heighten your presence in the kitchen and increase your cooking repertoire!
Also, check out our list for the best spatulas so you can buy one that matches your newly purchased frying pan both in style and in utility!
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