My Top 10 Favourite Japanese Foods

June 2021

My number one tip for amazing culinary experiences when travelling in Japan: eat where the locals eat! They love their food too and oftentimes, one of the first things you as a tourist will be asked is: “Have you tried (insert regional specialty)?”

Okonomiyaki

My friend Marina first introduced me to Okonomiyaki and said that it’s like “Japanese Pizza”. She told Tina and me to try it in Hiroshima – as this is where the noodle/pancake dish is originally from.

Ramen

Each region (and city) has their own style of preparing the noodle soup. My favourite has to be Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen from Fukuoka – best eaten at one of the food stalls at the Naka River.

Tonkatsu

The pork cutlet typically comes with rice, coleslaw and the delicious tonkatsu sauce. But in Kagoshima I also had it with an omlette.

Izakaya kitchen

Karage, Yakitori, Edamame, Teppanyaki, Toriten, Sausages, Clams, fermented vegetables, Chips, Tuskune, Highball and Beer. This and much more you find at the Japanese pubs.

Udon

The noodles are a little thicker than ramen. They can be prepared in many different ways. I prefer to eat udon cold, with a poached or fried egg and tempura. Kagawa Prefecture has by far the best Udon.

Curry

Japanese Curry (or Karee) tastes very different from south asian curry. It’s a little sweeter, thicker and oftentimes less spicy. I love to combine it with Tonkatsu.

Soba

The buckwheat noodles can be grilled with a delicious sauce called “yakisoba”. But I also like them served cold, with a variety of side dishes and a cold sauce for dipping.

Gyudon

A typical Japanese fast food. Gyudon restaurants are usually open 24/7 and frequented by business men. They serve bowls of rice topped with beef.

Sushi

Of course I have to include Sushi here. There are very high end sushi bars with prices similar to western standards, but you can also get high-quality sushi for cheap at “Kaiten”-chains.

Noodle Soup with Pumpkin

Now this is a very specific dish which I had in Kawaguchiko at Koshu Hotu Kosaku. It’s the tastiest soup I’ve ever had and I’d like to thank my friend Yoko for being such an amazing food guide!