5 Best Nakiri Knives for 2024

When it comes to cutting produce in the kitchen, owning the best nakiri knife can make a chef’s life much easier. Nakiris are traditional Japanese knife types that blend the shape of a cleaver with the functionality of a multi-purpose chef’s knife. This combination provides flexibility and power when using both Western and Eastern cutting styles on a variety of ingredients.

Are you on a search for the best Japanese nakiri knife for your culinary needs? You’re in luck! We’ve rounded up the five top nakiri knives to help you decide. While each piece has its own merits, the best nakiri knife for your collection will be the one that promises the most usability for your preferred creations.

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• Best Nakiri Knife for Culinary Hobbyists: Miyabi Koh 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife
• Best Nakiri Knife for Advanced Chefs: Kikuichi Ginsan Sanmai 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife
• Best Nakiri Knife for Aspiring Gourmets: Miyabi Evolution 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife
• Best Nakiri Knife for New Chefs: TUO Nakiri Knife 6.5-Inch With Pakkawood Handle
• Best Nakiri Knife for Intermediate Cooks: Schmidt Bros. Evolution 7-Inch Nakiri

1. Best Nakiri Knife for Culinary Hobbyists: Miyabi Koh 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife

Praised for its strength and elegance, the Miyabi Koh 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife is one of the best Japanese knives to have in your block. A combination of the best elements from both German and Japanese knife making heritages, the ultra-hard carbide steel ensures a resistance to chipping that lets you work with peace of mind. And the superior sharpness makes the Miyabi Koh the best nakiri knife for making controlled cuts through vegetables of any kind. You’ll have confident cutting for years to come.

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

Tough root vegetables are no match for the Miyabi’s sleek edge and strong spine. Home cooks and professional chefs alike will experience the same level of precision whether you’re mincing herbs or slicing carrots.

2. Best Nakiri Knife for Advanced Chefs: Kikuichi Ginsan Sanmai 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife

With the Kikuichi Ginsan Sanmai 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife in your collection, you’ll have a genuine showpiece as well as the best nakiri knife for all your kitchen needs. This surgically keen nakiri provides three layers of stainless steel and a handsome wood handle for style and function in a single tool. Adherence to the Japanese concept of shibui brings a mix of complexity and simplicity to one of the best Japanese knives on the market for the dedicated gourmet chef. 

Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved

We chose this knife for its function and beauty, a delicious combination that fits in any kitchen. It’s the best nakiri knife for both powerful use and proud display.

3. Best Nakiri Knife for Aspiring Gourmets: Miyabi Evolution 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife

With the Miyabi Evolution 6.5-Inch Nakiri Knife in your arsenal, you have all the cutting power needed to slice your way through an array of produce with ease. The ice-hardened steel blade is a draw for serious chefs in need of a premium tool. A 100-step process ensures a long, sharp life no matter how you choose to use your blade. Whether you’re rocking, slicing, dragging or chopping, a Miyabi Evolution will help you make clean, confident cuts every time. 

Why This Product Is Chef-Approved

Chef Chris calls the Miyabi Evolution 6.5-Inch Nakiri one of his preferred knives for cutting ingredients regardless of texture. He appreciates the comfortable handle and thin blade, both of which make kitchen work a breeze.

4. Best Nakiri Knife for New Chefs: TUO Nakiri Knife 6.5-Inch With Pakkawood Handle

For new chefs looking to test out a Japanese knife for themselves, the TUO Nakiri Knife 6.5-Inch With Pakkawood Handle is the best affordable nakiri for your needs. You’ll get the shape and swiftness of a traditional nakiri with a squared blade made of German stainless steel. Similar in profile to a Western cleaver, the TUO has a comfortable wood grip handle that makes handling your nakiri a breeze while developing your cutting chops. As price and quality go, it’s the best budget nakiri knife for chefs at the beginning of their culinary adventure.

5. Best Nakiri Knife for Intermediate Cooks: Schmidt Bros. Evolution 7-Inch Nakiri

Meet the future of kitchen cutting technology in the Schmidt Bros. Evolution 7-Inch Nakiri. This sleek stainless-steel tool is a metal masterwork with a mirrored surface and grooved blade to prevent food from sticking as you slice. The one-piece profile offers a clean, modern aesthetic for chefs with a sense of style, at a price that provides room to grow into a more expensive nakiri when the time is right.

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Though all of these options are high quality, the top nakiri knives should be the ones that suit your budget, skill set and ambition in the kitchen. Choosing from among them may mean taking them for a test drive to get a feel for the weight and usability until you know what you’re looking for. Even if you’re eager to get into a groove, finding the best Japanese nakiri knife may be a journey of discovery for you to make one cut at a time.

For even more ways to elevate your kitchen, check out chef-recommended cutlery in the Cozymeal Shop.