Although we know to name all japanese food dishes that exist is unfeasible, we could even say that impossible, we want to leave you a selection of those that are for us some of the typical dishes of Japan, which we believe, you should not miss while traveling through Japan.
Although on our first trip to Japan for free in 18 days, while we knew most of the essential places to see in Japan, we tried many of the typical dishes of Japanese food, we have to confess that it has not been until our second visit to the Japanese country, of which we have published this guide to travel to Japan, when we have tried most of the typical dishes of the country and we can say that we have entered into Japanese gastronomy.
After having enjoyed it as never before and as we know and understand that gastronomy is a very important aspect in any culture, which brings us closer to it in addition to giving us the possibility of knowing it much better, we want to leave you a selection typical dishes of Japan, so you can get an idea of Japanese cuisine and start thinking about the unforgettable and incredible moments you will enjoy on your trip.
Japanese food: Typical dishes of Japan
There are few messages we receive telling us that one of the main problems to travel to Japan, are in addition to high prices, the obligation of eating only raw fish.
If you think like that, we have to tell you that you are in error: eating in Japan can be very cheap, as we explained in the post about prices in Japan, in addition to not only eating raw fish. What's more, sushi is just one of the many dishes of Japanese cuisine that you can find traveling around the country and say you don't like Japanese cuisine, because you don't like sushi, it would be like saying you don't like Spanish cuisine, for not liking paella
That is why we advise you to try different options to start knowing one of the most complete and exquisite gastronomies in the world, which we assure you, you will end up loving.
Japanese food. Typical dishes of Japan
Before starting with the selection of Japanese food, you should keep in mind that contrary to what it may seem, in Japan, most restaurants are specialized in one of the dishes of their gastronomy, being difficult sometimes to find a menu that includes Several typical dishes of Japanese cuisine. That is why, in case you want to try several different ones, a good option is to go to a izakayaTypical Japanese bar or restaurant, which would be the equivalent of our tapas bar.
Sushi
We would dare to say that sushi is the Japanese food best known outside the country. With as many lovers as detractors, this delicacy, based on rice with fish or raw seafood or sometimes undercooked, is one of the most delicious Japanese dishes.
Although there are currently restaurants that serve rolls, the best known option in the West, in Japan it is usual to eat nigiris, the typical rice ball With the fish on top.
Recommended restaurant for sushi: Kaiten Sushi CHOJIRO Shijyokiyamachi in Kyoto
Regular price: Between 160 and 800 yen two pieces of nigiri, depending on the variety and restaurant.
Sushi Japanese food. Typical dishes of Japan
Sashimi
This Japanese dish consists of small pieces of fish or seafood, cut into thicker slices than carpaccio. It is usually accompanied by wasabi and soy sauce, in addition to ginger.
Recommended restaurant for eating sashimi: Kikyo Sushi restaurant in Kyoto
Regular price: 1400-2000 yen tuna sashimi dish
Sashimi Japanese food
Tempura
This Japanese food dish consists of a quick fry, which is usually made from seafood and vegetables and served alone or mixed.
Usually each piece has an adequate size so that it can be eaten in a bite, although some vegetables or shellfish are usually larger in size.
Recommended restaurant for eating sashimi: Kikyo Sushi restaurant in Kyoto
Regular price: 1400-2000 yen tuna sashimi dish
Tempura Japanese food
Gyozas
This Japanese food is a kind of empanadilla or fritter, which is prepared with a dough of flour and stuffed with pork and cabbage, then fry them. Currently they can be found with different fillings, especially in specialized restaurants.
Recommended restaurant for eating gyozas: Chao Chao Gyozas in Kyoto
Regular price: Between 400 and 800 yen depending on the ingredients and quantity
Gyozas Japanese food
Ramen
This Japanese dish is prepared with noodles, which are boiled in a fish-based broth, miso and soy sauce. To these ingredients is added pork and chives.
Recommended restaurant for ramen: Ramen Sen No Kaze in Kyoto
Regular price: 800 yen
Ramen Japanese gastronomy
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Miso
This dish of Japanese cuisine can be found in many restaurants, either as an individual dish or as an accompaniment in many menus.
This soup is prepared with soy dissolved in dashi or fish stock and tofu and wakame seaweed are added.
Regular price: 400 yen
Yakisoba
The yakisoba is another of the typical dishes of Japanese cuisine. It consists of fine noodles that are conceived fried with vegetables, meat or seafood and sometimes mixed with everything.
Recommended restaurant for eating yakisoba: Parco en Nara
Regular price: Between 700 and 1000 yen depending on the ingredients.
Yakisoba Japanese gastronomy
Okonomiyaki
Known to many as japanese pizza, although little or nothing has to do with Italian, this Japanese food is a kind of tortilla, in which different ingredients, such as vegetables, seafood or meat are mixed and cooked on the grill.
Depending on the area where you eat, they are cooked in different ways, the most famous being those of Hiroshima, Osaka and Miyajima.
Recommended restaurant for eating okonomiyaki: Okonomiyaki Katsu in Kyoto, Okonomiyaki Chitose in Osaka and Okonomiyaki Kishibe in Miyajima.
Regular price: Between 700 and 1000 yen, depending on the restaurant and ingredients.
Okonomiyaki Japanese gastronomy
Takoyaki
This dish of Japanese cuisine are fried flour balls that are filled with octopus. One of the most recommended places to eat them is in Osaka, in the Dontombori area.
Price: 450 yen the 6 pieces.
Katsudon
This dish is a bowl of rice topped by a breaded pork chop, also called tonkatsu, to which a broken egg and several spices are added.
Karee Raisu
Commonly Called japanese curry, this is one of the most famous dishes of Japanese cuisine. Although there are many varieties, with many main ingredients, the most popular is rice with tonkatsu, to which the famous curry is added.
Recommended restaurant for eating karee raisu or Japanese curry: Curry House CoCo Ichibanya Yamashina Ono. It is a chain of restaurants that are in the main Japanese cities.
Regular price: 900 yen curry dish with tonkatsu.
Japanese Curry Japanese food
Kushikatsu
This dish of Japanese cuisine, very famous especially in Osaka, are skewers of meat, fish or vegetables that are fried in vegetable oil and served with different sauces.
Regular price: 100 yen each skewer
Kushikatsu Japanese food
Tsukemono
Pickled vegetables that are usually eaten as an accompaniment to another main course. Sometimes they are served and eaten as an appetizer.
Edamame
Immature soybean pods, boiled in salted water and served whole. In some restaurants, fried and seasoned varieties with salt, pepper or other species are served.
Regular price: 300 yen
Edamame Japanese food
Onigiri
Rice triangles wrapped in nori seaweed and filled with different foods, such as fish, meat or vegetables.
Regular price: 300 yen
Onigiri Japanese food
Unagi Donburi
Better known to us as eel. This dish will be prepared with freshwater eels, which are presented on a bed of rice. One of the most appreciated dishes of Japanese cuisine.
Recommended restaurant for eating unagi donburi: Fujitaya in Miyajima
Regular price: 2500 yen menu with miso and pickles.
Unagi Japanese gastronomy
Kobe meat
According to Wikipedia: "It is called Kobe ox (神 戸 ビ ー フ, Kōbe Bīfu) or Kobe veal to certain cuts of beef from specimens of the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyū beef, bred according to a strict tradition in Hyōgo prefecture ( Japan)".
According to us: The best meat in the world. No more Once you've tried it, nothing will ever be the same.
Recommended restaurant for eating Kobe meat: Kobe Beef Steak Ishida Kitanozaka in Kobe
Regular price: 9500 yen lunch menu.
Kobe meat. Japanese gastronomy
Udon
This dish, typical of the Japanese foodThey are thick noodles, made from wheat flour, which are served in a broth made of dashi, soy sauce and mirin.
Depending on the area in which they eat, both the broth and the thickness of the udons usually vary.
Recommended restaurant for eating udon: Menme restaurant in Himeji
Regular price: 700 yen the plate.
Udon Japanese food
Tamayoyaki
This dish of Japanese food is also known as dashimaki or for us, tortilla.
Although it is not exactly, we could say that it is a egg tortilla, sometimes sweet or savory, which is usually served at the typical Japanese breakfast or as a sushi dish.
Regular price: 100 yen piece of sushi.
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Suriyaki
Very thin pieces of veal or tofu, in case the dish is vegetarian, they are cooked boiled, and are accompanied by more ingredients such as vegetables.
Tonkatsu
This Japanese food is another of the most common dishes of its cuisine. It is a breaded pork fillet, which is cut into strips that is served with rice, coleslaw and usually with other vegetables or pickles.
Recommended restaurant for eating tonkatsu: Katsukura in Kyoto
Regular price: 700 yen the plate and 1500 yen menu.
Tonkatsu Japanese dishes
Katsudon
This Japanese dish, like tonkatsu, is a breaded pork fillet, but served served on the plate over rice and cooked with spices and scrambled egg. Although it is also very popular, we like tonkatsu more.
Regular price: 700 yen
Yakitori
Although chicken skewers were originally known with this name, which is sometimes accompanied with a vegetable and covered with a soy-based sauce, any grilled kebab is now known as yakitori.
Regular price: Between 150 and 400 yen the skewer, depending on the type of meat.
Yakitori
Japanese sweets
Dorayaki
This Japanese dessert is two pieces of round sponge cake, as a stuffed cookie, with sweet red bean paste inside.
Regular price: 100 yen
Kit Kat
Without a doubt one of the biggest vices of tourists who travel to Japan. There are hundreds of flavors and they are a perfect souvenir for those who like chocolate.
Regular price: 350 yen a bag
Kit-Kat Japanese sweets
Mochi
This typical dessert of Japanese cuisine is made with a sweet rice paste pass and is filled with cream, cream, ice cream or red bean paste, among many other varieties.
Regular price: 100 yen in supermarkets and between 250-350 in shops or street stalls.
Strawberry mochi
Ice creams
Ice cream deserves a special mention, one of the Japanese foods we believe, the more consumed. And we have not spent a day on any of the two trips in which we have not seen hundreds of people tasting this incredible delicacy of gods.
For us the most special flavors and what we will miss the most: sakura and black sesame. Incredible!
Regular price: 100-300 yen in supermarkets or vending machines and between 350-500 in restaurants or street stalls.
Sakura ice cream
Black sesame ice cream
Without a doubt, trying most dishes of Japanese cuisine is one of the best tips in Japan.
If you want to know more Recommended restaurants in Japan, don't miss the items where to eat in Kyoto and where to eat in Tokyo.
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10 essential places to visit in Kyoto
The best offers of Flights to Japan here
The best hotels at the best prices in Japan here
Get € 35 for your reservation with AirBnb here
Book here your JRP of 7.14 or 21 days with shipping included
Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount here
10 essential places to visit in Kyoto
