50 Japanese Foods to Try While You Are in Japan

Japanese cuisine offers a diverse and rich culinary experience, with a wide array of dishes that cater to various tastes and preferences. Whether you are a food enthusiast or just exploring the culinary scene in Japan, here are 50 must-try Japanese foods that will enhance your dining experience.

Traditional Japanese Dishes

1. Sushi

Sushi is a quintessential Japanese dish made from vinegar rice and various ingredients, often seafood. There are several types, including nigiri-zushi and temaki-zushi. For a unique experience, visit high-class sushi restaurants in Ginza or try conveyor belt sushi (kaitenzushi) for an affordable option.

2. Tempura

Tempura is a dish where seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients are dipped in a flour and egg batter and then fried. For the best experience, visit a specialist tempura restaurant where dishes are served as soon as they are ready.

3. Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is a hot pot dish where meat and vegetables are stewed in an iron pot with a sauce made from soy sauce and sugar. It is known for its rich flavor and regional variations.

4. Ramen

Ramen is a popular noodle soup dish that has become synonymous with Japanese cuisine. The soup can be made from chicken, pork, beef, or seafood, and there are various flavors such as salt, soy sauce, and miso. Some ramen shops also offer tsukemen, where the noodles and soup are served separately.

Noodle Dishes

5. Soba

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat and are often served cold (zaru soba) or hot. They are a staple in Japanese cuisine and can be enjoyed with tempura bits for added flavor.

6. Udon

Udon noodles are thicker and chewier than soba noodles. They are typically served in a hot broth or with dipping sauce. Benkei Udon in Kyoto is a recommended spot.

Meat and Seafood Dishes

7. Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet. It is often served with shredded cabbage, rice, and a side of miso soup.

8. Yakitori

Yakitori is skewered chicken, typically made from various parts of the chicken. It is grilled over charcoal and can be seasoned with salt or teriyaki sauce.

9. Wagyu

Wagyu beef is renowned for its marbling and rich flavor. It can be enjoyed as a steak, in a hot pot, or as part of a kaiseki meal.

Home Cooking Style Dishes

10. Omurice

Omurice is a comfort food made with ketchup fried rice wrapped in an omelet. It is a favorite among both children and adults.

11. Gyudon

Gyudon is a beef bowl dish where a bowl of rice is topped with thinly sliced beef. It is a popular and affordable option.

12. Katsu Curry

Katsu curry is a dish featuring a breaded and fried pork or beef cutlet served with Japanese curry and rice.

Street Food and Snacks

13. Takoyaki

Takoyaki is a street food from Osaka, consisting of small balls filled with octopus, green onion, and tempura bits, served with sauce and bonito flakes.

14. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake made with batter, cabbage, and various fillings such as pork, seafood, or vegetables. It is often served with sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.

15. Gyoza

Gyoza are pan-fried dumplings filled with pork, cabbage, and mushrooms. They are a popular side dish at ramen restaurants.

Desserts and Sweets

16. Mochi

Mochi is a type of rice cake that can be filled with red bean paste or other sweet fillings. It is also used in various desserts and snacks.

17. Warabimochi

Warabimochi is a summer dessert made from bracken starch, dusted with roasted soybean powder and drizzled with black sugar syrup. It has a jelly-like texture.

18. Kakigori

Kakigori is shaved ice flavored with syrups such as strawberry, green tea, or yuzu. It is a refreshing summer treat.

Convenience Store Snacks

19. Onigiri

Onigiri are triangular-shaped rice balls often filled with tuna, salmon, or pickled plum. They are a convenient snack available at most convenience stores.

20. Melonpan

Melonpan is a type of bread with a sugar-cookie-like topping that resembles a melon. It comes in various flavors and can be enjoyed as a snack.

Regional Specialties

21. Kiritanpo

Kiritanpo is a traditional dish from Akita Prefecture, made from pounded rice shaped around wooden cylinders and toasted over a hearth. It can be slathered in sweet miso sauce.

22. Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan is a regional dish from Hokkaido, where mutton or lamb is grilled on a special grill with vegetables. It is a must-try when visiting Hokkaido.

Other Must-Try Dishes

23. Tamagoyaki

Tamagoyaki is a Japanese rolled omelet, often served in bento boxes or at breakfast. It is made with multiple layers of egg and can be sweet or savory.

24. Tsukemono

Tsukemono, or Japanese pickles, are an essential part of Japanese meals. They include pickled plums, daikon, and red ginger, adding a refreshing zing to any meal.

25. Shogayaki

Shogayaki is a homestyle dish made with thin slices of pork, ginger, and various aromatics, served with rice to soak up the gingery sauce.

26. Yakiniku

Yakiniku is Japanese BBQ, where you grill your own meats and enjoy them with beer. It is a fun and interactive dining experience.

27. Tofu

Fresh tofu in Japan is a treat, even for locals. It is often served in various forms, including in hot pots or as a side dish.

28. Unagi

Unagi is grilled eel, often served with a sweet sauce. It is a popular dish, especially during summer.

29. Sashimi

Sashimi is raw fish sliced into thin pieces, often served with a dipping sauce. It is a delicacy and a must-try when in Japan.

30. Bento

Bento is a traditional Japanese packed lunch, often featuring rice, fish or meat, and vegetables. It is known for its creative and colorful presentation.

More Recommendations

31. Karaage

Karaage is Japanese fried chicken, often marinated in soy sauce, sake, and sugar before frying. It is a popular snack.

32. Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a small cake filled with red bean paste, shaped like a fish. It is a fun and tasty street food.

33. Menchi Katsu

Menchi katsu is a breaded and deep-fried minced meat patty. It is often served with shredded cabbage and a side of miso soup.

34. Kishikatsu

Kishikatsu is a breaded and deep-fried cutlet made from pork or beef. It is similar to tonkatsu but often served with a dipping sauce.

35. Misokatsu

Misokatsu is a variation of tonkatsu, served with a miso-based sauce instead of the traditional Worcestershire sauce.

36. Yakisoba

Yakisoba is a stir-fried noodle dish made with soba noodles, vegetables, and often meat or seafood. It is a popular street food.

37. Eki Ben

Eki ben is a bento sold at train stations, often featuring local specialties. It is a convenient and delicious option for travelers.

38. Famichiki

Famichiki is a fried chicken snack available at FamilyMart convenience stores. It is a popular quick bite.

39. Candied Fruit

Candied fruit is a sweet snack made by boiling fruit in sugar syrup. It is often found at traditional Japanese sweets shops.

40. Cheesecake

Japanese cheesecake is lighter and fluffier than its Western counterpart. It is a popular dessert in Japan.

41. Fluffy Pancakes

Fluffy pancakes are a modern dessert trend in Japan, known for their light and airy texture. They are often served with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

42. Fruit Sando

Fruit sando is a sandwich made with fresh fruit, often strawberries or blueberries, between two slices of bread. It is a refreshing and sweet treat.

43. Kakuni

Kakuni is braised pork belly, often served with boiled eggs and vegetables. It is a hearty and flavorful dish.

44. Hamburg Steak

Hamburg steak is a Japanese-style meatloaf made from ground beef, often served with a demi-glace sauce and rice.

45. Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook various ingredients, including meat, seafood, and vegetables. It is often served with a side of rice and miso soup.

46. Shojin Ryori

Shojin ryori is Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, often served at temples. It is a unique and flavorful dining experience.

47. Okazu

Okazu refers to side dishes served with rice, often including pickles, vegetables, and sometimes meat or seafood. It is an essential part of a traditional Japanese meal.

48. Zaru Soba

Zaru soba is cold soba noodles served with a dipping sauce. It is a refreshing summer dish.

49. Tenyu

Tenyu is a type of tempura made from fugu (blowfish), which is considered a delicacy in Japan. It is a unique and adventurous dining option.

50. Keiseki

Keiseki is a multi-course meal emphasizing local and seasonal ingredients. It is a sophisticated and traditional Japanese dining experience.