What to Eat in Japan: Famous Japanese Foods Every Traveller Should Try

Travelling through Japan is an experience for all the senses, and food is a major part of the journey.

From tiny neighbourhood restaurants to busy food markets and railway stations, memorable meals can be found almost everywhere.

Japanese cuisine is much broader than sushi, with each region offering different dishes and traditions.

Sushi

Sushi is perhaps Japan's most famous food.

It can range from simple pieces of fresh fish over seasoned rice to elaborate rolls and beautifully prepared restaurant meals.

Trying sushi in Japan can be a completely different experience from eating it elsewhere.

Sashimi

Sashimi is fresh raw fish or seafood served without rice.

Quality, freshness and presentation are extremely important, and the dish demonstrates the attention to detail found throughout Japanese food culture.

Ramen

A bowl of ramen is one of the great Japanese comfort foods.

Different regions have developed their own styles, using different broths, noodles and toppings.

One bowl may feature a rich pork-based broth, while another uses miso, soy or salt-based flavours.

Tempura

Tempura consists of seafood or vegetables coated in a light batter and fried.

Good tempura is delicate and crisp rather than heavy.

It may be served on its own, with rice or alongside noodles.

Yakitori

Yakitori usually refers to pieces of chicken grilled on skewers.

Small yakitori restaurants can provide one of the most enjoyable casual dining experiences in Japan.

It is the kind of food that encourages you to try several different varieties.

Okonomiyaki

Often described as a Japanese savoury pancake, okonomiyaki combines batter with ingredients such as cabbage, meat or seafood.

Osaka and Hiroshima are particularly well known for their own styles of the dish.

Trying both versions gives travellers another excuse to explore different Japanese cities.

Udon and Soba

Japan has several important noodle traditions.

Udon noodles are thick and soft, while soba noodles are thinner and traditionally made using buckwheat.

Both can be served hot or cold depending on the dish and season.

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a breaded and fried pork cutlet, often served with shredded cabbage, rice and sauce.

It is simple, satisfying and easy for first-time visitors to enjoy.

Gyoza

Japanese gyoza are dumplings usually filled with minced meat and vegetables.

They are commonly pan-fried so they are crisp on one side while remaining soft on the other.

Matcha and Japanese Sweets

Japan's food culture extends well beyond savoury dishes.

Matcha, powdered green tea, appears in drinks and desserts, while traditional Japanese sweets can provide a completely different flavour experience.

Remembering Japan Through Food

A great meal can become part of how we remember a destination.

Perhaps your memory of Tokyo will include a tiny ramen shop.

Kyoto might remind you of matcha.

Osaka might always make you think about okonomiyaki.

These food experiences are worth recording alongside the temples, cities, hotels and photographs from the journey.

Add them to your TravelPassport and build a record of not only where you travelled, but what you experienced when you were there.

TravelPassport — Keep your travels. Keep your memories. Keep your story alive.

What to Eat in Japan: Famous Japanese Foods Every Traveller Should Try | TravelPassport

Discover famous Japanese foods including sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori and okonomiyaki, and explore the food experiences that make a trip to Japan memorable.