Japan is an incredible destination known, sure, for art and culture. And yet one of the best ways to dig into life there is through its food. Traditional Japanese food culture has given us many delicious meals we often enjoy, from noodle dishes to sushi, just about anywhere in the world. And yet there’s no better place to sample its most authentic cuisine than in the country itself. You’re spoiled for choice, from the famed tea ceremony to one of the many wholesale fish markets.
Whether you plan to visit the local fish market or settle down indoors for a warm Japanese curry, some foods capture the taste of Japan in a way that goes beyond the typical tourist fare. Experiencing Tokyo at its finest involves eating like the locals, from enjoying Tokyo street food to visiting one of its famous restaurants.
Here are our favorite Japanese dishes and, of course, a cocktail that is innately authentic as well.
1. Okonomiyaki Savory Pancakes
Okonomiyaki means ‘grilled as you like it.’ This take on a combination of a pancake and an omelet is extremely popular in Toyko. Many call it the cuisine of Hiroshima. In its more traditional form, you can enjoy it with ingredients such as shallots, pork belly and cabbage.
Okonomiyaki is often cooked on a hot plate while you wait and served with a sweet and sour soy sauce. Other popular toppings include mayonnaise and bonito flakes — thinly shaved dried fish.
There are different types of Okonomiyaki to choose from, or sample them all and see which you prefer. Some common types of this traditional Japanese cuisine include the following:
- Negiyaki: Add more shallots to the mixture.
- Monjayaki: This type of Okonomiyaki is popular in Tokyo. It’s a more broth-like style and generally less compact.
- Hiroshimayaki: Instead of mixing the ingredients, they are added in layers for a different texture sensation.
2. Ramen
This noodle dish has taken the world by storm in recent years. Combining hearty broth, bamboo shoots, juicy meat, nori sheets and the perfectly cooked egg is the ultimate feel-good food. You might think you’ve tried it already, but you haven’t experienced ramen until you’ve had it prepared in its hometown.
There are many types of ramen to try throughout Tokyo, each with its unique flavor and style. You can find Ramen shops hidden in the most unlikely places. You can customize your ramen or let the chefs guide you.
This satisfying meal is a fantastic way to experience traditional Japanese food culture. With the varieties to try, you could eat it every day of the week and never have the same experience twice. Some popular types of Ramen throughout Japan include the following:
- Tonkatsu ramen: This variety is made with a rich and creamy pork broth.
- Miso ramen: The broth used in miso ramen is made with miso paste to add a rich and savory flavor.
- Tsukemen: Also known as dipping noodles, in which the ramen noodles and broth are served separately.
- Shoyu ramen: The broth in Shoyu ramen is spicy and has a soy-sauce base for a warmer feel, making it perfect for a cold day.
3. Tempura
Another beloved dish around the world, tempura, is best enjoyed in Japan. You can choose from delicious meats and vegetables to be deep-fried in the crispiest and lightest batter. While tempura is easy to find around the world, the Japanese have turned it into a culinary art form, and many restaurants across Tokyo specialize in this delicious dish.
One of the best things about tempura is you can enjoy it on any budget. You can go to a specialized tempura restaurant and sample it prepared by Michelin-starred chefs, or you can pick it up at a multitude of food stalls dotted around Tokyo. It’s always light and cooked to perfection.
4. Japanese Curry
The Japanese have taken traditional curry and made it their own. The British brought curry to Japan from India in the late 1800s, and it has becomea popular and convenient food over the years.
The curry in Tokyo today is full of Japanese flair, with a sweeter, milder flavor and stew-like texture. It’s the perfect comfort food for cold days. You can enjoy various options, including Katsu Kare — curry with breaded pork cutlet, curry udon and fried rice.
5. Sushi
A visit to Tokyo necessitates a trip to the Tsukiji fish market, also known as the Toyosu fish market. Nestled inside the market is Sushi Dai, a world-famous sushi restaurant people queue for hours to sample. There are many options to sample at Sushi Dai, including the traditional sashimi, nigiri and maki, all made with fish directly from the market.
Many consider Tokyo the world capital of sushi, and you can find variations across the city that rival sushi anywhere else. You can try the Kaiten zushi — or conveyor belt sushi — for a quick option on a budget.
6. Yakitori
Yakitori is traditionally made with chicken meat, skewered, glazed with sweet soy and grilled over open coals. Although chicken is the most common, you can find plenty of meats and vegetables served yakitori style across the city. This dish is best enjoyed in one of Tokyo’s many izakaya restaurants — or Japanese gastropubs, alongside some Japanese beer or sake.
It’s a popular dish to enjoy in a group. If izakaya isn’t your style, head to one of the specialty yakitori restaurants instead.
7. Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is the perfect food to sample if you visit Toyko in the fall or winter months. It’s a fresh and simple blend of fresh vegetables and thinly sliced meat cooked in soy-based broth. This hot pot delight is filling and delicious, ideal for a rainy day.
It’s the ultimate Japanese comfort food. Although it may look simple, it’s bursting with fresh and natural flavor and makes a pleasant change from tourist food.
8. Takoyaki
Tokyo is famed around the world for its street food, and takoyaki is the ultimate Japanese street cuisine. These small, ball-shaped snacks originated in Osaka and are made from a dashi or fish stock batter, fried to perfection and filled with octopus, green onions and pickled ginger.
Takoyaki is cooked in a special pan until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and served with several toppings, including mayonnaise and takoyaki sauce — a sweet and savory soy-based sauce. You will find this dish at many street vendors across the country.
9. Miso Soup
Miso soup is another must-try food in Tokyo. The principal ingredients of this traditional Japanese soup are Dashi and miso paste, combined with various components such as tofu, green onions and nori. It’s easy to find throughout Toyko and often served as a side dish with meals.
This soup is warm, homely and full of protein and vitamins. It’s a healthy, filling option the locals enjoy anytime, from a popular breakfast food to an accompaniment to different main meals.
And 1 must-try drink which you know is going to be sake
Sake is more than a cocktail; it’s a ceremonial beverage. Although it’s known as rice wine, it’s between a wine and a liqueur made from fermented rice. You can sample your sake in its purest form with namazake. This unpasteurized version of sake is unbelievably tasty, but it must be enjoyed fresh.
Alternatively, you can drink your sake sparkling in cocktails or settle for junmai — sake made with just rice and water. Booking a sake-tasting evening could be the best way to sample all the different types, creating an enjoyable evening for everyone. Keep the following etiquette in mind for the complete Japanese experience:
- Serve someone else: Pouring sake for yourself is known as tejaku and is considered rude.
- Wait until all the cups are full: Only start drinking when everyone has a full cup. The host will raise his cup for a toast and say Kanpai. Follow their lead.
- Sip it slowly: Sake may look like a shot but is best enjoyed steadily so that you can appreciate the full range of flavors.
