Japan is truly a food-lover’s paradise. The wide variety of amazing flavors and delicacies provides travelers with a plethora of options. Though it’s certainly impossible to try it all, we have compiled a list of some of the top foods that you absolutely MUST try on your next trip to Japan!
Sushi
Sushi is likely the very first food that comes to mind when you think of Japanese food, and no trip to Japan would be complete without it! You can find sushi everywhere in Japan; while the sushi from high class restaurants in areas like Ginza or close to fishing ports are especially delicious (and fresh), you can also eat it cheaply by visiting a kaitenzushi, or conveyor belt sushi restaurant. At this popular type of restaurant, visitors can sample a variety of sushi by simply grabbing different rolls or pieces off of the belt. It provides travelers with the opportunity to be adventurous—-try the classic maki rolls, as well as the sashimi (raw fish over rice), salmon roe (salmon eggs), and sashimi (a fresh piece of fish).
Gyoza
These delicious dumplings are a staple in Japan! Crispy and brown on the outside, gyoza are steamed and pan-seared dumplings filled with a variety of meat, such as minced pork, and vegetables. Similar to Chinese potstickers, these delicious dumplings are can be steamed, boiled, or fried, and are typically dipped in vinegar, sesame oil, and spices. Enjoy these as a delicious appetizer or side dish!
Ramen
This delectable noodle soup dish is one of Japan’s most famous and popular meals. Because it is fairly inexpensive, it is also one of the best dishes for budget travelers. Ramen consists of long, thin egg noodles in soup broth, which can be a salt-based broth (shio), a soybean-based paste broth (miso), a pork-bone based broth (tonkotsu), or a soy-sauce based broth (also called shoyu). Different regions of Japan have different regional varieties of ramen, including seafood and even curry!
Ramen bowls are typically topped with a variety of choice toppings, from seaweed to hardboiled egg to green onions and pork belly. The toppings also depend largely on the region, but are generally easily customized to your tastes! When in Japan, ramen is a must!
Tempura
Tempura is a light batter that is typically smothered and fried over seafood, such as shrimp, or vegetables, including zucchini, eggplant, mushroom, sweet potato, or lotus root. Tempura is a typically appetizer or even main dish in Japan, or it can even be served as a topping over ramen or soba noodles. Tempura typically come with a delicious dipping sauce, or you can simply spring some salt on top and enjoy!
Yakitori
Yakitori are delicious grilled chicken skewers that are cooked over a charcoal fire. Yakitori is a favorite Japanese street food (especially during summer festivals) or a great dish to eat with a glass of beer at a local pub. Yakitori are very inexpensive (roughly 100-200 yen per skewer), and are eaten straight off the skewer!
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a popular comfort food in Japan. Typically known as a Japanese pizza, Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake made from flour, eggs, sweet potato, and shredded cabbage, all cooked together. It is typically topped with bacon, egg, picked ginger, green onions, and cabbage, but it varies depending on the region. Okonomiyaki is particularly popular in Osaka and Hiroshima, but both cities have different variations and recipes. You’ll have to try it eveywhere you go and see which you like best!
Mochi
Mochi is a Japanese dish that is popular throughout South Asia. It consists of pounded rice and is usually filled with red or sweet bean paste. Mochi also comes in different flavors, depending on the region. Mochi ice cream (mochi filled with ice cream) is a very popular flavor, as is strawberry daifuku, which has an entire strawberry and a sweet red bean inside!
Udon
Udon is one of the other countless noodle dishes that you must try when visiting Japan! Udon consists of thick, wheat flour noodles, and can be served cold (with a soy dipping sauce) or hot (with a broth made of dashi, soy sauve, and mirin). Again, the broth and toppings can vary from region to region, but typically include shallots, chives, or picked ginger.
Onigiri
Onigiri are perfect, snack-sized flavored balls of rice. You can get these delicious bites at a convenience store or some restaurants. The most typical type of onigiri is a simple, pack rice ball wrapped in seaweed, but they can also be flavored with a variety of fillings, such as salmon, pickled Japanese plum (umeboshi), or egg.
Yakiniku
Yakiniku is more than food—it is a whole social experience! Yakiniku, or grilled meet, is served at a table with a barbecue grill in the middle. Each guest gets to cook his or her own meat and vegetables while sitting around the table together! The meat is served in thin, bite-sized pieces and is served raw, so that you can cook it to your exact specifications. Yakiniku restaurants are a great choice if you are really hungry—they’re menus are typically all-you-can eat!
Which Japanese dish do you hope to try first?!
Post written by Grace Klopp