Best Food in Japan (you must try!)

The best food in Japan must be tried during any trip to this incredible country; from sushi to takoyaki, there is something for all palettes.

Exploring Japan’s rich history and the Japanese culture can be an unforgettable experience. Nowadays, more and more travelers are discovering a new way to connect with the country—through its diverse culinary offerings.

Japan has some of the most unique and delicious foods worldwide. Dishes range from fresh seafood to beautiful desserts, delectable street food, and more. And each meal is steeped in national history. 

Every good vacation relies on one thing—research! You need to know what to do, when, and where. Food is no different. 

Below are some delicacies to add to your bucket list when visiting Japan.

Best Food in Japan

Unagi

While Japan is famous for its sushi, there’s another kind of seafood you should taste. Nothing beats the unique, sweet, and savory taste of unagi, i.e., freshwater eels.

Unagi has become a staple in the Japanese diet, though travelers might still be wary of it. Don’t be. Eels promise fantastic flavor, texture, and nutrition, depending on how they are cooked. 

Some signature dishes that include unagi are:

• Kabayaki: This dish features grilled unagi with soy sauce and rice. It’s a classic option offered across Japan.
• Hitsumabushi: A specialty from Nagoya. Unagi is chopped and served in a rice bowl with wasabi and broth.
• Kimosui: This is a soup made from unagi liver. Topped with Japanese herbs, it has a light, refreshing taste.

Takoyaki

If you’re looking for unique street food, then keep an eye out for takoyaki. Nicknamed “octopus balls,” these snacks are filled to the brim with tasty minced or diced octopus. Ginger and green onion are also mixed in for added deliciousness with every bite.

Popular across Osaka, the balls are often brushed with mayonnaise and their own
“takoyaki” sauce, seaweed, and fish shavings. They can be enjoyed as finger food on skewers or as a main course with rice.

Kashi Pan

Seafood aside, you’ll be glad to know that Japan has a plethora of tasty treats that can satisfy any sweet tooth, too. Across the country, bakeries offer signature Japanese sweets, treats, and more.

Kashi pan, known as “sweet bread,” is a must-have. These classic bread delicacies are filled or topped with heavenly flavors. That said, do pay attention to each bread’s name. 

These give you an idea of the toppings, fillings, and flavors to expect. Some popular examples of sweet bread specialties include:

• Anpan: These are most common around Japan. They are filled with sweet red bean paste.
• Melonpan: Perfect for a sugar rush, the melonpan is a sweet bun layered in crispy cookie dough.
• Jamupan: Known as “jam bread,” this tasty bread is loaded full of sweet, fruity fillings.
• Kurimpan: Finally, for the ultimate indulgence, you can try the kurimpan. These are filled with delicious custard cream.

Chawanmushi

Want a light bite that is as fun to photograph as it is to eat during your Tokyo itinerary? Served in an ornate teacup, the chawanmushi is one of the few meals eaten with a spoon in Japan.

It is a savory twist on the classic egg custard, with striking flavors and unique textures. The custard itself can contain egg, soy sauce, dashi, mirin, and local ingredients. 

Some recipes may include meat, nuts, seafood, or a combination of all. As the dish varies between regions, it is a great food to try while you travel throughout Japan. The meal can also be eaten as a main dish when paired with delicious noodles.

Natto

Fancy putting your taste buds and nostrils to the test? Natto is a traditional Japanese delicacy often eaten at breakfast. It has a pungent smell, robust taste, and slimy texture.

So what’s it made of? Well, natto is made from soybeans fermented with a bacterium called bacillus subtilis var. natto (also known as hay bacillus). It is widely regarded as a “superfood” because it is nutritious and can help promote healthy gut flora.

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is the foundation for every katsu curry you’ve tasted. On its own, it is equally delicious. First, a pork cutlet is seasoned with salt and pepper, then coated in flour, dipped in beaten egg, covered in panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), and deep-fried.

The special breadcrumbs give the meat its signature crunch while keeping it light and airy. Served with its signature tonkatsu sauce, the dish pairs well with rice or miso soup.

Oden

Oden is a “nabemono”or one-pot dish, ideal for cold Japanese winter days. It contains a variety of nourishing foods, including boiled eggs, radishes, tofu, fish, and rice cakes. Together, they make for a satisfying, hearty meal.

Ingredients are stewed in a light broth with stock and soy sauce. Because of the mix involved, the dish has many different flavors and textures. Different regions have their own special take on the dish, with special restaurants serving it year-round.

Wagashi

There’s no better way to celebrate the end of a meal than eating wagashi, a Japanese candy. Though bite-sized, each sweet looks beautiful, promising bright colors and designs. You’ll no doubt want to photograph each sweet before indulging.

Wagashi are made from simple ingredients, mainly mochi, azuki bean paste, and fruit. They are usually paired with green tea to help balance their sweetness after meals.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is street food at its best. It is a savory pancake cooked on a flat griddle, which may seem simple, but the taste is simply out of this world.

Vendors and restaurants prepare the dish fresh to order. Often, they add whatever ingredients you want to try. Most include shredded cabbage, pork, or seafood.

That said, different regions in Japan approach ingredients and cooking methods slightly differently. For example, in Osaka, ingredients are mixed and cooked in unison. In contrast, in Hiroshima, okonomiyaki is made almost like a cake, with ingredients separated and layered on each other.

Tips on how to take your Japanese food trip to the next level

Diving deep into the local cuisine is not just about satisfying your taste buds; it’s a unique lens through which you can understand a place’s culture, history, and people.

However, it’s essential to balance this culinary adventure with thoughtful travel practices.

• Observe the local customs

When exploring Japan, it’s essential to pay attention to the local customs to enrich your dining experience. Japanese dining etiquette holds various practices that are viewed with great importance, such as using chopsticks properly, saying “itadakimasu” before eating to express gratitude, and “gochisosama deshita” after finishing your meal as a sign of appreciation.

Observing these customs not only shows respect for the culture but also deepens your connection with the local culinary traditions, making your experience even more authentic and memorable.

• Find the best places to eat

With so much choice, knowing where you should go on your next food adventure in Japan can be challenging. But, a variety of websites and apps can help you refine your research.

There are some great apps in Japan, which can help you with everything, from train travel in Japan to finding the best restaurants. Some of the food apps and websites like GuruNavi have a library of the best restaurants across Japan. Simply enter a dish or location, and the site will research your best options.

Struggling to make a booking? TABLEALL is specially tailored toward eating in Japan. The service pre-books seats in various popular eateries, including Michelin-star restaurants. Members can join for free and reserve these seats for a nominal fee.

• Stay connected while exploring Japanese food

You can’t rely on websites and apps in Japan if you can’t use your smartphone. And unfortunately, many travelers often forget to sort out their connectivity before setting off on their trip.

But there is a simple solution—one that can ensure you’re always one click away from researching the best Japanese foods. eSIMs.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card embedded within your smartphone. It allows you to change your network operator within an app. You don’t need to buy a new local SIM card in Japan or take out an expensive roaming package when traveling abroad.

Instead, an eSIM simplifies everything. With an eSIM Japan plan, you can connect to the best local networks across the country. This means you can find the best restaurants and diners regardless of location. It also means you can share pictures of all the delicious food you’re tasting online!

If you’re heading to Japan in the future, you’re lucky. It is an amazing country full of wonderful sights to explore. This article shows that it is home to some of the world’s most unique and delicious meals.