Nakiri vs. Chef’s Knife

Ever stared at your knife block wondering which one to reach for? Or maybe you're trying to figure out if it’s finally time to invest in a new blade—but you keep hearing about Nakiris and Chef’s knives and don’t know which one actually makes sense for you.

Don’t worry—we’ve all been there. Let’s take a few minutes to chat about these two kitchen MVPs so you can figure out which one deserves a spot on your cutting board.

🥬 So... what’s a Nakiri anyway?

If you do a lot of veggie prep—think stir-fries, salads, sheet-pan meals—you’re gonna love this one.

The Nakiri is a Japanese-style knife with a flat, rectangular blade. Unlike the curved Chef’s knife (which we’ll get to in a second), the Nakiri is all about that up-and-down motion. No rocking here. Just clean, satisfying slices—especially through vegetables.

Why people are obsessed:

It’s amazing for thin, even veggie cuts
The wide blade makes it easy to scoop everything up into your pan
It feels precise and controlled, even if you’re not a pro

🔪 And what about the classic Chef’s knife?

The Chef’s knife is basically the kitchen's multitool. If you’ve only got room (or budget) for one knife, this is usually the go-to.

It’s got a curved blade that lets you do that satisfying rocking motion—perfect for herbs, garlic, onions, and even meat. It’s a little heavier than the Nakiri, which helps when you need to power through something tougher like butternut squash or a roast.

Why it’s everyone’s ride-or-die:

Super versatile—works on meat, veggies, herbs, you name it
That curve makes it great for mincing and rocking
A solid choice for pretty much any kitchen task

So… which one’s better?

Honestly? It depends on you.

If you’re all about plant-based meals or just find yourself chopping veggies more often than not, the Nakiri is a dream. It makes prep work smoother, faster, and kinda meditative.

If you want a reliable, do-it-all knife that can tackle just about anything, the Chef’s knife is your trusty sidekick.

(And if you’re like most of us… you’ll eventually want both.)