The Best Food in Japan: A Guide to Japanese Cuisine

Discover the Most Delicious and Unique Dishes in Japan

Japan is known for its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and friendly people. One of the biggest attractions for travelers to Japan is the food. From sushi to ramen to okonomiyaki, Japanese cuisine is diverse and delicious. This guide will explore the best food in Japan, highlighting unique dishes and popular favorites that you won’t want to miss.

The Best Sushi 🍣 in Japan

Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese dishes worldwide. It consists of vinegared rice topped with fresh fish or seafood. In Japan, sushi is served in many different styles, including nigiri, maki, temaki, and chirashi. Some of the best sushi restaurants in Japan include Jiro Sushi in Tokyo, Sushi Saito in Tokyo, and Sushi Yasuda in New York City.

Nigiri Sushi

Nigiri sushi consists of a small ball of rice topped with a slice of raw fish or seafood. Some popular types of nigiri sushi include maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellowtail), ebi (shrimp), and unagi (eel).

Maki Sushi

Maki sushi is made by rolling the ingredients in seaweed and rice. Some popular types of maki sushi include tekka maki (tuna roll), kappa maki (cucumber roll), and california roll (avocado, crab meat, and cucumber).

Temaki Sushi

Temaki sushi is a cone-shaped hand roll that is filled with rice, fish, and other ingredients. Some popular types of temaki sushi include salmon skin, crab, and spicy tuna.

Chirashi Sushi

Chirashi sushi is a bowl of sushi rice topped with sashimi, vegetables, and other ingredients. Some popular types of chirashi sushi include bara chirashi (mixed seafood), kaisen chirashi (assorted seafood), and unagi chirashi (eel).

The Best Ramen 🍜 in Japan

Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish that is popular all over the world. It consists of wheat noodles in a rich broth topped with vegetables, meat, and other ingredients. There are many different styles of ramen in Japan, including shoyu, miso, tonkotsu, and shio. Some of the best ramen restaurants in Japan include Ichiran Ramen in Tokyo, Ippudo Ramen in Kyoto, and Afuri Ramen in Tokyo.

Shoyu Ramen

Shoyu ramen is made with a soy sauce-based broth and is typically topped with sliced pork, bamboo shoots, and green onions.

Miso Ramen

Miso ramen is made with a miso-based broth and is typically topped with bean sprouts, corn, and ground pork.

Tonkotsu Ramen

Tonkotsu ramen is made with a pork bone-based broth that is rich and creamy. It is typically topped with sliced pork, green onions, and other ingredients.

Shio Ramen

Shio ramen is made with a salt-based broth that is light and refreshing. It is typically topped with seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients.

The Best Tempura 🍤 in Japan

Tempura is a Japanese dish that consists of battered and deep-fried seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients. It is typically served with a dipping sauce and grated daikon radish. Some of the best tempura restaurants in Japan include Tenichi in Tokyo, Tenshu in Kyoto, and Tendon Kaneko Hannosuke in Tokyo.

Seafood Tempura

Seafood tempura is made with fresh shrimp, squid, and fish. It is typically served with a dipping sauce and grated daikon radish.

Vegetable Tempura

Vegetable tempura is made with a variety of fresh vegetables, including sweet potatoes, eggplant, and green beans. It is typically served with a dipping sauce and grated daikon radish.

Chicken Tempura

Chicken tempura is made with thinly sliced chicken breast that is battered and deep-fried. It is typically served with a dipping sauce and grated daikon radish.

The Best Okonomiyaki 🥞 in Japan

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake that is made with flour, eggs, cabbage, and other ingredients. It is typically topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. Some of the best okonomiyaki restaurants in Japan include Okonomimura in Hiroshima, Kiji in Osaka, and Kiji in Tokyo.

Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki

Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is made with layers of cabbage, noodles, and other ingredients. It is typically topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.

Osaka-style Okonomiyaki

Osaka-style okonomiyaki is made with a batter that is mixed with cabbage, meat, and other ingredients. It is typically topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.

Tokyo-style Okonomiyaki

Tokyo-style okonomiyaki is made with a batter that is mixed with cabbage and other ingredients. It is typically topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.

The Best Wagyu Beef 🥩 in Japan

Wagyu beef is a Japanese beef that is known for its marbling and tenderness. It is typically served as steak or in a hot pot. Some of the best wagyu beef restaurants in Japan include Matsusaka Beef in Mie, Kobe Beef in Hyogo, and Yakiniku Jumbo Hanare in Tokyo.

Matsusaka Beef

Matsusaka beef is a type of wagyu beef that is known for its rich flavor and tender texture. It is typically served as a steak or in a hot pot.

Kobe Beef

Kobe beef is a type of wagyu beef that is known for its marbling and flavor. It is typically served as a steak or in a hot pot.

Yakiniku

Yakiniku is a Japanese BBQ that is typically made with wagyu beef. It is grilled at the table and served with dipping sauces.

The Best Matcha 🍵 in Japan

Matcha is a Japanese green tea that is made by grinding whole tea leaves into a fine powder. It is typically served in a traditional tea ceremony or as a latte. Some of the best matcha cafes in Japan include Tsujiri in Kyoto, Nana’s Green Tea in Tokyo, and Ippodo Tea in Kyoto.

Matcha Latte

Matcha latte is made with matcha powder, milk, and sweetener. It is typically served hot or cold.

Matcha Ice Cream

Matcha ice cream is made with matcha powder, milk, and cream. It is typically served in a cone or cup.

Matcha Parfait

Matcha parfait is layered with matcha ice cream, mochi, fruit, and other ingredients. It is typically served in a tall glass.

The Best Street Food 🍢 in Japan

Japanese street food is a must-try for any foodie. From takoyaki to yakitori to taiyaki, there are many delicious and unique dishes to try. Some of the best street food markets in Japan include Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo, Nishiki Market in Kyoto, and Dotonbori in Osaka.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped snack that is made with batter and filled with diced octopus. It is typically served with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.

Yakitori

Yakitori is a skewered chicken that is grilled over charcoal. It is typically served with salt or a soy sauce-based glaze.

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a fish-shaped pastry that is filled with red bean paste or other sweet fillings. It is typically served hot off the grill.

Frequently Asked Questions about Japanese Food 🍱

What is the most popular food in Japan?

The most popular food in Japan is sushi.

What is the national dish of Japan?

The national dish of Japan is debatable, but many people consider it to be sushi or ramen.

What is okonomiyaki?

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake that is made with flour, eggs, cabbage