A trip to Tokyo or throughout Japan is a true culinary adventure. With countless incredible dishes, its vibrant street food scene, Michelin-starred restaurants, and unique flavor combinations, Japan will take your taste buds on a wild ride. From sushi to ramen, from tempura to takoyaki, every bite is an explosion of flavors and a culinary adventure you will never forget!
Let’s take a closer look at 20 dishes from Japan you must try!
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that has become a global sensation. It consists of vinegar-seasoned rice combined with raw fish, seafood, or vegetables, often wrapped in nori, a crispy seaweed sheet that is an excellent source of nutrients. Sushi is not just a dish, but also an art form that requires precision and skill to create. No wonder this dish is loved by so many: the combination of flavors and textures is unbeatable.
Ramen is the classic food of Japan! It is a delicious noodle soup that has won the hearts and palates of food lovers worldwide! In Japan, ramen is not just a meal, it is a way of life. It is a steaming bowl of goodness that can be enjoyed any time of day or night and is one of the country’s most beloved comfort foods.
So, what exactly is ramen? Well, it is a bowl of hot steaming broth filled with chewy noodles and a variety of toppings, such as sliced pork, eggs, green onions, and seaweed. The broth can be made from pork bones, chicken, fish, or even vegetables, and is simmered for hours to extract all the flavor and goodness. Each bowl of ramen is unique, with its own distinct flavor and style, and is a true culinary adventure for the taste buds!
These small octopus balls are a popular street food in Japan. They are made with a batter of flour, eggs, and dashi broth, with a piece of octopus added in the center. They are then cooked in a special takoyaki pan until golden and crispy. These delicious balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce and kewpie mayonnaise (Japan has the best mayonnaise I’ve ever tasted), and then sprinkled with seaweed flakes and dried bonito flakes (katsuobushi).
No country does tempura like Japan. It is always perfect! Tempura is the ultimate crispy and crunchy treat that originated in Japan. It is basically a dish of battered and fried seafood, vegetables, or sometimes even sweets like ice cream. The batter is made from flour, water, and sometimes eggs, and is fried to golden perfection in hot oil.
But why is tempura so popular in Japan? Well, for starters, it is a delicious and fun dish to eat! There is nothing better than biting into a crispy shrimp or a perfectly fried vegetable and hearing that satisfying crunch. Also, tempura is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a main course.
Udon is one of the famous Japanese noodle dishes and is loved by both locals and tourists. I still remember my first bowl of Udon noodles in a small restaurant in Kyoto, it was wonderful. These thick and chewy noodles are made from wheat flour and water and can be served in a variety of dishes including soups, stir-fries, and salads.
Udon noodle soup, for example, is a classic comfort food perfect on a cold day or when you feel under the weather. The broth typically consists of dashi (a type of Japanese broth), soy sauce, and mirin, and is often topped with sliced meat, scallions, and tempura.
Another popular way to enjoy udon is in stir-fried dishes, such as yaki-udon. This dish consists of udon stir-fried with meat, vegetables, and a savory sauce. It is a hearty and filling meal, perfect for lunch or dinner.
It’s fun to watch the chef prepare this dish. Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake and a very popular street food in Japan. Okonomiyaki is a delicious Japanese dish as fun to make as it is to eat! The word “okonomiyaki” roughly translates to “grilled as you like it,” meaning you can customize it with all your favorite ingredients.
At its core, okonomiyaki is made with a batter typically composed of flour, water, eggs, and shredded cabbage. From there, you can add anything you want, like shrimp, pork belly, bacon, or even cheese. Some people even like to add ramen noodles or octopus to their okonomiyaki: the possibilities are endless!
One of the best things about okonomiyaki is that it is usually cooked on a griddle or hot plate right in front of you, making it an interactive and exciting dining experience.
This dish consists of bite-sized pieces of meat from many different parts of a chicken, such as thighs, breast, liver, and skin. The pieces are skewered, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, and grilled over charcoal. Yakitori is usually made to order and is a popular dish in Izakayas, or Japanese pubs. Yakitori definitely tastes better when enjoyed with a cold beer.
Miso soup one of the classic foods of Japan, delicious and healthy. It is made with dashi, a type of Japanese broth, and miso paste, which gives the soup its unique flavor. Other common ingredients include tofu, scallions, seaweed, and sometimes mushrooms. One of the reasons miso soup is so loved is because it is a comforting and nutritious dish perfect for any time of the day.
Whether you’re looking for a light breakfast or a warm lunch, miso soup is a great choice. Also, it is very easy to prepare at home, so you don’t have to be a master chef to enjoy it. But miso soup isn’t just tasty, it’s also good for you! Miso paste is made from fermented soybeans, which means it is rich in probiotics that can help promote good gut health. Additionally, it is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, so you can feel good eating it.
Matcha is a vibrant green powder made from finely ground green tea leaves and is a staple in Japanese cuisine and culture. Unlike traditional green tea, which is steeped in water and then discarded, matcha is consumed whole, which means you are getting all the nutrients and antioxidants from the tea leaves. One of the reasons why matcha is so loved is because it has a unique flavor that is both earthy and slightly sweet. It is often used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, but you can also find it in a variety of other dishes, such as matcha lattes, smoothie bowls, and even desserts.
But matcha is not just tasty, it is also incredibly good for you! It is rich in antioxidants. It is also a good source of caffeine, which can help improve mental alertness and concentration.
Tonkatsu are breaded and fried pork cutlets. It is made by taking a juicy pork cutlet, dipping it in egg and panko breadcrumbs, and then frying it until crispy and golden. One of the reasons why tonkatsu is so popular is because it is the perfect combination of crispy and tender. The crispy exterior gives way to a juicy interior that will surely satisfy any craving.
It is typically served with a sweet and savory sauce and can be enjoyed with a small bowl of perfectly steamed rice or sliced and placed in a sandwich with fresh lettuce and topped with delicious kewpie mayonnaise.
Made with buckwheat flour, these long, thin noodles have a nutty flavor and a slightly chewy texture that is perfect for sipping in a big bowl of broth. They are rich in fiber and protein, which means they will keep you feeling full and satisfied longer. Additionally, they are naturally gluten-free, making them a great option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
But soba noodles aren’t just good for you, they’re also super versatile! You can enjoy them hot in soups and stir-fries, or serve them cold with a dipping sauce or in salads.
We can thank Japan for gyoza, the best snacks you can now find worldwide! These pan-fried dumplings are typically filled with ground pork, cabbage, and garlic. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a popular appetizer or snack. Or if you’re like me, order 10 to 12 at once and save every bite.
Shabu shabu is a popular Japanese hot pot dish consisting of thinly sliced meat (usually beef) and vegetables cooked in a pot of boiling water. The name “shabu shabu” comes from the sound the meat makes as it is swished back and forth in the hot pot. To eat shabu shabu, dip the meat and vegetables in a dipping sauce (usually a mix of soy sauce and citrus) before eating. The broth in the pot becomes more flavorful as the meat and vegetables cook, so you can also sip it like a soup.
Shabu-shabu is a social dish often enjoyed with family and friends and is a great way to experience the freshness and quality of Japanese ingredients. It is a healthy and fun way to eat and definitely worth trying if you find yourself in Japan or at a Japanese restaurant that serves it!
These rice balls are usually filled with pickled plums, tuna, or salmon and wrapped in seaweed. They are a popular snack or lunch option in Japanese convenience stores. Also, convenience stores are top-notch in Japan; they have everything you could need, and then some!
Onigiri is one of my favorite snacks when visiting Japan; however, you can find this snack distributed in convenience stores of other countries, like Thailand and Australia.
Wagyu beef is a type of premium beef that comes from four specific cattle breeds in Japan. The meat is known for its exceptional marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture, resulting from genetics, diet, and cattle care. In Japan, wagyu beef is typically served in small portions as part of a multi-course meal, and is often grilled or cooked on a hot plate. One of the most popular ways to enjoy wagyu beef is as a steak cooked rare or medium-rare to preserve its juicy and tender texture.
Another popular way to eat wagyu beef is with Shabu-shabu. The high quality of the meat makes it perfect for this type of dish, as the texture of the meat becomes even more tender and delicious when cooked this way.
This sweet surprise is made from glutinous rice that has been pounded into a sticky paste. It can be filled with sweetened red bean paste, ice cream, or other sweet fillings and is commonly served during New Year celebrations. You can buy fresh or boxed mochi in supermarkets and convenience stores.
Katsu curry is one of those Japanese comfort foods that feels like a warm hug. This dish combines crispy breaded chicken or pork with a rich and delicious curry sauce. Many restaurants and small cafés have their own secret for making the best curry sauce. So when you find a curry recipe you love, it’s like hitting the jackpot.
It’s a popular dish in Japan and can be found in many Japanese restaurants worldwide. And if you have an Asian specialty supermarket near you, they likely have good curry paste so you can recreate this dish at home.
Did you know that Japan (and Korea) have some of the healthiest diets in the world? Yes, and it’s because they eat sashimi or raw fish. This dish consists of thinly sliced raw fish served with soy sauce and wasabi. It’s a popular delicacy in Japan and is known for its fresh and delicate flavors.
This stir-fried noodle dish is made with soba, vegetables, and meat or fish. It’s one of Japan’s popular street foods and is often topped with mayonnaise and dried bonito flakes. It’s commonly served at festivals and other outdoor events, where it’s cooked on a large griddle and then served hot in a paper container.
Chawanmushi is a popular dish in Japanese cuisine. This savory egg custard is typically flavored with dashi broth and can be filled with various ingredients, such as shrimp, mushrooms, and chicken, and served as an appetizer or side dish in Japanese restaurants.
It has a delicate and silky texture and is usually flavored with soy sauce, mirin (a sweet Japanese rice wine), and other seasonings to give it a rich umami taste. The dish is typically served warm and can be enjoyed as part of a multi-course meal or as a standalone dish.
Source Veryhungrynomads
