Most Popular Japanese Food You Must Try

1. Tempura

Are you in the mood for an exciting food crawl? Do you have an acquired taste for Asian cuisine, specifically Japanese fare? If so, don’t forget to add tempura in your long list of delicious delicacies to try. Especially if you are the type of person who enjoys fried eats, you will surely love tempura. Tempura is made of pieces of seafood such as shrimp and fish that are marinated with a thick batter, then afterward fried until its color turns yellowish and its texture turns crunchy. Although tempura is commonly made with seafood, some restaurants serve their version of tempura that is made with meat or vegetables. You can eat is as it is or top it on a bowl of noodle soup, or you can also enjoy it with rice.

2. Sushi and sashimi

If you are not in the mood for plates of Japanese heavy meals, and you opt to indulge in delicious light eats, you might want to order some sushi and sashimi from your favorite Japanese restaurant. Sashimi is made up of pieces of bite-sized sliced meat that is typically raw. It is popularly made from tuna or salmon. While on the other hand, sushi is sticky rice with vinegar, wrapped around different ingredients, from raw fish to veggies, to fruits, and others. Also, sushi is wrapped with seaweed paper.

3. Yakitori

Another classic Japanese food that is worth a try is yakitori. Yakitori is popular in all parts of the world and you can find it even in public places in Japan, such as around schools and sports fields. Yakitori, in English, means barbecued chicken. This delicacy is just like barbecue, skewed and grilled. Others like their yakitori brushed with a special sweet sauce while other people just add a dash of salt into it. There are different versions of this classic Japanese dish in many parts of the world, but in traditional Japanese restaurants, they commonly serve the tsukune, momo, and negima.

4. Tsukemono pickles

In literal English translation, tsukenomo means pickled things. This Japanese delicacy is a favorite preserved appetizer of people with Japanese heritage or those who have developed an acquired taste for this specific Asian cuisine. Classic tsukemono is made from vegetables, commonly cabbage. It has a sour and salty flavor that it acquires from the brining process in salt and rice bran that it has undergone. Additionally, tsukenomo pickles tend to cleanse the palate–that’s why it is served as a side dish.

5. Yakiniku

Need more suggestions for your upcoming Japanese food trip? You might want to include yakiniku in your list. If you fancy grilled meat more than any other dish in the world, you will surely enjoy your yakiniku experience. Yakiniku literally means grilled meat. This juicy dish is commonly made from the uptown cuts of beef, such as tenderloin, sirloin, and ribs. For additional flavor, yakiniku is brushed with a special sweet and savory sauce with sesame essence or yakiniku sauce. Surely, this dish is something the whole family will love, no matter what the occasion is. Plus, for adults, you might want to enjoy it with a few bottles of saké.

6. Udon

Aren’t noodle dishes perfect for lazy rainy afternoons? Why not try something other than your favorite ramen? Try udon, perhaps. Considered one of the three most popular noodle dishes in the Land of the Rising Sun, Udon is a delicious noodle dish with hot savory broth. It is characterized by its thick noodle strands that are made from wheat flour and which are chewy in nature. A bowl of udon soup is usually topped with chunks of meat, tempura, and even mochi rice cakes.

7. Soba

Soba is another one of the three most popular noodle dishes in Japan, same with udon. What makes it different from ramen and udon is, compared to these two, its noodles are made from buckwheat–soba literally means. Its flavor somehow tastes nutty and earthy in nature. There are two ways to enjoy this noodle dish, like a soup with herbs and spices as toppings, or dry with wasabi, nori seaweed, and other garnishes.

8. Yakisoba

When you visit Japan, especially those vibrant streets where there are lots of eateries and food stalls, you’ll notice that there are so many yakisoba stands in these areas. Even at festivals and concert grounds, you’ll see yakisoba stands. This is a testament to the popularity of this sumptuous noodle dish. For people who do not know what this delicacy is like, it is a fried noodle dish that is made from a combination of different types of noodles. In English, Yakisoba means cooked soba.

9. Miso soup

Made with miso paste, a bowl of miso soup is a common household dish that almost everyone in Japan knows how to make. The miso paste is made from fermented soybeans. Together with dashi broth, this dish is a wonderful fare to enjoy during cold seasons. A bowl of miso soup often comes with potatoes, seaweed, mushrooms, fish, shrimp, and clams. Miso bowls’ ingredients vary based on personal preference. You can add whatever you wish in your soup as long as you find it palatable.

10. Kare-raisu

Also known as Japanese curry, kare-raisu is Japan’s version of the classic Indian dish, and it is considered one of the most common Japanese food. Almost all Japanese restaurants in the world serve this flavorful meal. and it goes well with other classic fares, such as tempura, gyoza, udon, and a lot more. Originally, there are different types of kare-raisu, the curry udon, curry bread, and curry rice, depending on which carbs or protein you want to enjoy it with. This dish is typically made from a special sauce that is normally sweet and spicy in flavor and is mixed with chunks of meats and vegetables.

11. Okonomiyaki

Make the most of your upcoming Japanese food crawl by trying out the delicious okonomiyaki. This dish is much like a traditional pancake. Compared to western pancakes, this one is made from a batter that is created from wheat flour. It comes from two combined words, “okonomi” and “yaki”, which mean “how you like” and “cooked”, respectively. Topped with a wide array of condiments, classic okonomiyaki has shredded cabbage, eggs, and small chunks of meats for its ingredients. Those who have tried it think it is the Japanese version of Western pizza.

12. Ramen

Probably the most popular Japanese noodle dish, ramen is made with wheat noodles, also called ramen noodles. Just like udon, it has a flavorful brothy soup, which makes it an ideal fare to enjoy during cold weather. Its broth is commonly made from a variety of ingredients, such as miso, salt, soy sauce, meat toppings, and tonkatsu pork bone. Additionally, it is topped with seaweed, bamboo shoots, spring onions, proteins, and more. Ramen can be found in most Japanese restaurants in the world. Interestingly, because of its extreme popularity, Japan’s capital, Tokyo, has a themed amusement park that revolves around it.

13. Shabu-shabu

Japan indeed has a wide array of palatable brothy soup dishes. One of them is shabu-shabu. This hot pot fare is commonly made with a range of ingredients, including thinly sliced meat and mixed vegetables. When you look at it, it is simply a combination of ingredients that are boiled in hot water. Its flavors come from the various dipping sauces that are served with it. Typically, in Japanese restaurants, there are built-in shabu-shabu facilities in each table, where guests can cook their own soup on the spot.

14. Onigiri

Another mouthwatering delicacy that you might want to try while on your Japanese food crawl is onigiri. Think of this portable food as the Japanese sandwich. Compared to western sandwich versions, onigiri is made from rice, also called rice balls by locals. Wrapped in nori (seaweed) and formed in a triangular shape, this delicacy is filled with either pickled plum or tuna mayonnaise, teriyaki chicken, and seasoned seaweed. A favorite snack in Japan, onigiri can be bought everywhere in the country, especially in convenience stores.

15. Gyudon

Found yourself thinking of sumptuous Japanese food all day long? Want to try something new? Head over your favorite Japanese restaurant and indulge yourself in palatable Asian fares that will make you cry happy tears. Don’t forget to try gyudon. In English, gyudon means beef bowl. It is a complete meal in itself, with rice, onions, and beef, priorly marinated with a sweet sauce. Some people who are not a big fan of rice make their gyudon bowls with noodles instead. Additionally, locals commonly enjoy their gyudon bowl with a soft poached egg on top. Others even have raw eggs.

16. Gyoza

Dumplings made in moon-shaped figures, gyoza are bite-sized Japanese delicacies that are made from a multitude of fillings. Its fillings are commonly made from mushroom, green onion, cabbage, and minced pork. Other people add different ingredients that they like. This mixture of ingredients is wrapped in a special wrapper to form a semi-circular shape, and once cooked, turns into a golden brown half-moon-shaped snack. To achieve its right crispy texture, you must fry it primarily before steaming it for three minutes. With this cooking method, you’ll have gyoza with juicy and moist fillings and a crispy bottom.

17. Tonkatsu

You cannot end your Japanese food trip without getting to taste tonkatsu. This favorite Japanese dish is originally an adapted Western dish, influenced by Europeans. This is a porkchop coated with breadcrumbs. It is deep-fried until a golden brown color is achieved. Most restaurants in Japan serve their tonkatsu plates with a side dish of salad greens and other fruit and vegetable appetizers. Also, some restaurants combine it with Japanese curry.

18. Karaage

A dish that translates “Tang fry” in English, due to its cooking method, karaage is a sumptuous delicacy that is deep-fried in oil. Most commonly utilizes chicken meat, some Japanese like their karaage with fish and pork, as well. Before deeply frying into a pan of cooking oil, first, you have to lightly coat your meat with potato starch and flour. If you are not into chicken or pork, you can still enjoy karaage by switching your base ingredient to blowfish. This Japanese fried chicken meal is most of the time included in a bento box.

19. Gyutan yaki

Are you a hardcore foodie who is open-minded about the various dishes in a foreign country, specifically exotic food? Take up the challenge and try gyutan yaki. Who knows, you just might love it. Gyutan yaki is an exotic Japanese dish that is made from beef tongue. This dish is often grilled, like a typical barbecue. Its name derived from the word “gyu” and “tan” which means cow’s tongue. The traditional way of indulging in this savory food is by pairing it with tail soup and barley rice. Classic gyutan yaki has a sweet and salty taste

20. Chankonabe

If you are a heavy eater or someone who just wants to gain weight, you might want to add the sumptuous chankonabe stew in your diet. This dish is popular among Japanese wrestlers for its carbohydrates and proteins. When eaten regularly and with a huge quantity, surely, you’ll achieve your desired weight. For people who have no idea what it is, it is a Japanese stew that is made with a plethora of ingredients. Classic chankonabe utilizes chicken broth or Japanese dashi, sake, chicken or fish meat, various vegetables, and a lot more. Just like ramen and udon, it is a popular dish to enjoy during the rainy and winter seasons.

21. Motsunabe

Another delicious hot pot that is worth a try whether you are in Japan or even in a Japanese restaurant somewhere else is motsunabe. As hot spots are a vital part of Japan’s culture and cuisine, it is only fitting that you savor this flavorful Japanese fare when you visit the county. Motsunabe’s main ingredients include pork tripe or beef. Commonly, Japanese chefs utilize the gut portions of pork in cooking this dish. Most Japanese restaurants have a built-in traditional cooking pot where guests can cook their own motsunabe the way they like, including their choice of add-ons. Traditionally, motsunabe includes miso, soy sauce, lots of garlic, and the offals, whether pork or beef.

22. Donburi

If you are not into noodle dishes and more into rice dishes, you might want to try donburi and ditch the popular favorite bowl of ramen. This rice dish is commonly eaten during lunchtime because of its carb content. During this time of the day, when you visit Japanese restaurants, you’ll find lots of business people savoring this classic Japanese meal. This dish consists of various ingredients, prepared in a huge bowl. Some of its common ingredients include simmered or fried meat, vegetables, and most importantly, steamed rice. Some donburi bowls even have eggs and tempura.

23. Natto

Natto is a Japanese classic delicacy that not many people appreciate. A light fare, natto is basically made from fermented soybeans. Interestingly, it is fermented in a healthy type of bacteria to achieve its distinct taste. It might have a strong smell and a slimy texture, but its taste makes up for its off-putting features. For people who haven’t tried natto, it has a savory and salty taste.

24. Tamagoyaki

A mouthwatering delicacy to enjoy at whatever time of the day, from breakfast to dinner, tamagoyaki is basically an egg roll. Japanese people have a special way of cooking this dish. After beating the eggs in a pan, they sequentially cook and roll the eggs until it looks like a thick omelet. After this, it is cut into several rectangular-shaped pieces. Lots of Japanese people like their tamagoyaki paired with sushi and sashimi.

25. Kashipan

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If you noticed, there are not many bread delicacies on this list, but that doesn’t mean that the Japanese are averse to it. In fact, they have a traditional bread delicacy that is popular in the whole country, the kashipan. Available in most bakeries in Japan, a kashipan is a bread roll that has a sweet taste. Its name literally means sweet bread in English. This bread roll has a surprise twist in its center - a flavorful red bean paste called anko. If you are a big bread lover, don’t forget to try kashipan as you will surely enjoy it.

26. Mentaiko

Another fascinating exotic food that Japanese people love is mentaiko. This delicacy is made from cod roe or the eggs in the ovaries of large marine fish. It is often marinated in a salted mixture. There are different types of enjoying a mantaiko. Some people eat it as it is, while others opt for the mentaiko pasta on the menu. Aside from its marinade, a mentaiko is seasoned with various spices, such as spicy mustard, black pepper, sesame, chili powder, and several others.

27. Nikujaga

If you are a meat lover, you will surely enjoy nikujaga. It is a sumptuous bowl dish that has a lot of ingredients. Aside from the meat, it has a wide assortment of vegetables and is made with sugar, sake, mirin, and soy sauce. It is popular in almost all Japanese restaurants in and out of the country. Not only that, but it is a dish that most families in Japan know how to make.

28. Takoyaki

Are you the type of person who likes trying out local street foods when visiting foreign countries? If so, on your next visit to Japan, be sure to grab a bite of the mouthwatering takoyaki. Takoyaki is a ball-shaped snack that is often served in several bite-sized pieces. It typically has octopus pieces and vegetables. Interestingly, Japanese people cook it in a frying plate that molds the batter into its ball-shaped appearance. Takoyaki is a type of dumpling with various flavors and comes with different sauces. Some people like it sweet while others opt for the spicy version.

29. Wagashi

Finish off your Japanese food crawl with a small plate of wagashi. Wagashi is a delicacy that comes with traditional tea during tea ceremonies. It is made from mochi rice cakes, red sweet paste, gelatine, chestnuts, and sugar. These traditional Japanese sweets can also be enjoyed as snacks. For additional flavor, some people like dipping their wagashi into a sugary syrup for added sweetness.

30. Oden

Make the most of your winter escapade in Japan by trying out some savory oden. This classic Japanese dish is popular during the cold winter and rainy season. A hot pot dish with high protein content, oden is a mixture of various ingredients, including fish cakes, radish, boiled eggs, tofu, yam, and a lot more. Also, oden has a flavorful broth that is made from dashi and soy sauce.

Go on an exciting Japanese food crawl

Japan is known for a lot of things, including breathtaking landscapes, its people’s inclination for traditional arts, automobile brands that are known around the world, anime, and the delicious Japanese cuisine. Japan’s cuisine is one of the main reasons tourists visit the Land of the Rising Sun, and there is just a multitude of restaurants in the city that serve authentic Japanese fare that is worth a try. If you are planning a food crawl in the country, use this list as your guide in planning the perfect Japanese food bucket list.