Welcome, fellow food enthusiasts, to the land of the rising sun, where culinary delights await at every corner! Japan’s gastronomic wonders are as diverse as its landscape, and this country is a food lover’s paradise. In this blog post, we will take you on a delectable journey through some of the top must-try dishes in Japan. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with an array of flavors, textures, and traditions that define Japanese cuisine.
Sushi
A symbol of Japanese cuisine. Sushi, the iconic Japanese dish, needs no introduction. Delicate slices of fresh fish over vinegar-seasoned rice, each bite is a harmonious dance of flavors. For the best sushi experience, head to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market or try the newer Toyosu Market area for some great seafood including sushi. The intimate omakase sushi dining in Kyoto is another great option if you really want to feel indulged.
Ramen: A Bowlful of Comfort
When it comes to soul-soothing comfort food, ramen reigns supreme. From the smooth, pork-based tonkotsu broth of Fukuoka to the savory miso ramen of Sapporo, every region offers its unique take on this noodle sensation. Don’t miss the chance to slurp your way through Tokyo Ramen Street under Tokyo Station or the yatai (food stalls) in Fukuoka’s Nakasu and Tenjin areas. Wherever you go in Japan though you will not be far from an excellent ramen experience. The best places will have a line of customers out front during lunch time, and worth the wait for a really high quality bowl. If you’re curious about ramen history and varieties, check out our ramen book on the topic.
Tempura: Crispy and Irresistible
Tempura, the art of deep-frying, elevates simplicity to perfection. Light, crispy, and served with a delicate dipping sauce, tempura showcases the essence of fresh ingredients. If you’ve never had real tempura in Japan it’s nothing like imitations you typically get overseas. You’ll be impressed by the carefully controlled high temperature oils, and refined batter bases combined with savory dipping sauces, specially selected salts and other seasonings. For a sublime tempura experience, visit Tenmatsu in Tokyo or Yoshikawa in Kyoto.
Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki: Osaka’s Delightful Duo
Osaka, the food capital of Japan, boasts two flour batter based street food gems – takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Takoyaki, round savory pancake balls with octopus meat inside, and okonomiyaki, savory flat pancakes filled with a variety of meats and vegetables, are a must-try. The savory brown sauces and Japanese mayonnaise used to flavor these dishes are key, and many places have their own secret sauce recipes. Head to Dotonbori for a street food feast in Osaka. This area is also known for the colorful and kitschy decor of some of the restaurants, and the famous Glico neon sign (makers of Pocky chocolate snacks). The Kuromon Ichiba market is another very popular spot for street food and seafood, and is near Osaka’s otaku subculture shopping area (Nipponbashi). Of course if you’re not in Osaka you can find okonomiyaki and takoyaki almost anywhere in Japan. Hiroshima claims their version of okonomiyaki is the best, layered with eggs on top, stir fried savory noodles, meats and veggies.
Kaiseki: A Haute Cuisine Experience
Prepare your taste buds for an exquisite journey through kaiseki, a traditional multi-course meal that reflects the changing seasons. The art of kaiseki is deep and traditions are long, taking years of chef apprenticeship to master. Savor each meticulously crafted dish in Kyoto’s renowned kaiseki restaurants, such as Kikunoi or Gion Maruyama. Kaiseki can easily cost a few hundred US dollars per person depending on the selected course, but keep in mind you will be experiencing the pinnacle of Japanese traditional washoku cuisine. Kaiseki and more generally Japanese washoku cuisine has been on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2013.
Wagyu Beef: A Carnivore’s Delight
Meat lovers must indulge in the world-renowned wagyu beef, known for its luxurious marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The high quality of Japanese beef is well known, and the master techniques for breeding and raising the best beef cattle in the world have been copied in other parts of the world in recent years. Kobe, Matsusaka, and Yonezawa are areas famous for producing some of the best wagyu in Japan. Treat yourself to a sublime yakiniku experience at Sumibi Yakiniku Nakahara in Tokyo. In Kyoto you can enjoy wagyu with an elegant traditional inn (ryotei) ambience at at Gion Karoku.
Curry: Classic and Spice Varieties
Japan’s curry traditions were originally introduced via the British with curry powder adapted from India, which the Japanese navy started preparing for its sailors in the early 20th century. Since then it became further adapted to Japanese tastes and is now a uniquely Japanese food. The classic version is a smooth, rich and savory sauce cooked with carrots, potatoes and pork or beef and served over white rice, sometimes with a sweet pickled vegetable on the side. Classic Japanese curry is not very spicy, but today it can vary from mild to very hot, depending on the recipe. You can find good curry at a popular national chain called CoCo Ichiban’ya, and it’s on the menu at many casual restaurants. Japan’s spice mania has taken things a step further. Recently “spice curry” is trending with more restaurants blending their own unique combination of spices for more authentic curries similar to Indian or Thai traditions.
Katsu: Crispy Fried Comfort
Crispy and comforting, katsu is a beloved Japanese dish featuring breaded and deep-fried cutlets, usually pork (tonkatsu), but sometimes also chicken or beef. Don’t miss the classic tonkatsu at Maisen in Tokyo or try the thick cut “hibernation ripened” tonkatsu at Karasemitei in Kyoto. Katsu is also featured in recipes such as katsudon which combines it with runny eggs and a savory sweet sauce over rice, or katsu curry which adds katsu to the classic Japanese curry dish. Katsu-sando is a thick sliced katsu with savory sauce served in white bread as a sandwich. Anyway you have it, katsu is delicious and satisfying.
Matsuri Munchies: Street Food Extravaganza
Experience the lively food culture of Japan’s festivals (matsuri) with a variety of street foods sold from yatai street stalls (also called de-mise or ro-ten). These will appear at local matsuri festivals throughout the country. Matsuri are held most often in the summer and autumn, but can be any time so check your dates. Matsuri street foods can vary by region, and the some of the most popular ones are:
- skewered yakitori grilled chicken
- stir fried yakisoba savory noodles
- kara-age breaded fried chicken chunks
- fish-shaped taiyaki (cakes filled with sweet bean paste)
- savory roasted corn with butter and soy sauce
- savory takoyaki octopus balls
- candied apples (ringo ame, pictured above)
- chocolate dipped bananas
We have only scratched the surface on all of the culinary adventures that await foodie travelers in Japan, but if you have yet to try some of the dishes above they definitely belong on your trip itinerary!