Japanese Foods You Should Try

o keep the list from getting too long, we’ve purposely excluded “famous” foods like sushi, – but you should still definitely try them in Japan!

Here we go…

Bento Box: Few things are as enjoyable as a gourmet, seasonal bento box while riding the shinkansen (bullet train).

Bonito flakes: Some people don’t like these ubiquitous fish flakes, but those who do love them with a passion. They’re served on top of a variety of foods, including tofu and takoyaki.

Curry: While not spicy like other countries’ curries, there’s nothing more comforting than a made-from-scratch Japanese curry.

French pastries: You might not expect this, but the quality of French pastries in Japan is outstanding.

Fruit: Square watermelons aside, it’s seriously worth splurging on some fancy Japanese fruit, and one of the best places to do so is at a depachika (see below).

Gyoza: A Japanese take on Chinese-style dumplings (perfect with draft beer).

Karaage: Japanese-style fried chicken. If you think Southern US fried chicken is the best, you may be in for a surprise!

Kushi-katsu: Deep-fried skewered meats and vegetables.

Miso: Fresh miso in Japan is a must-try, and fortunately you’ll encounter it fairly often while traveling around Japan.

Niku-man: The Japanese take on Chinese-style meat buns (and the perfect snack).

Rice: It’s worth seeking out top-quality rice, but even “average” Japanese rice is fantastic.

Saba no shioyaki: Grilled mackerel, a classic “simple” food available in shokudo (cafeterias) and izakaya (see below).

Shishamo: A drinking person’s favorite, these almost bite-sized grilled smelt fish are served whole and filled with roe. “Real” shishamo come from Hokkaido, but these days in most places they’re imported.

Soba: Handmade soba is incredibly good. Soba is made from buckwheat and is generally considered to be the healthiest of Japan’s three major noodle types (the other two are ramen and udon).

Takoyaki: Sometimes called “octopus balls,” these are griddle-cooked bite-size balls filled with octopus and other goodies. Known as an Osaka specialty, these days you can find them all over Japan.

Tofu: Fresh tofu in Japan is shockingly good, particularly compared to what you find in grocery stores outside of Japan.

Tonkatsu: Breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, typically served with shredded cabbage, tsukemono (Japanese pickles), rice and miso soup. Mmm.

Tsukemono: Japanese pickles, which pair perfectly with white rice, and are also delicious on their own. An integral part of Japanese cuisine, you’ll find tsukemono throughout the country, but Kyoto’s are the most revered.

Wasabi: Fresh wasabi is nothing like what you’ve likely tasted at sushi restaurants outside of Japan.

Yakiniku: A Japanese take on Korean barbecue, featuring a variety of grilled beef.

Yakitori: Legendary grilled skewers of chicken.