Best Foods to Try in Japan - Akbar Travels Blog

Japanese food is world famous. Sushi and sashimi are in fact no-brainer must-trys when it comes to culinary exploration in Japan. However, as is the case with most things in the Land of The Rising Sun, the food too is always beyond expectations. Far from what you see online or hear from others, Japanese cuisine is more than just about ramen and sushi. There is flavour and purpose in every plate.

The Japanese believe in making food look pretty before eating it. For the same reason, their dishes look like works of art. The cuisine is all about freshness and flavour. This makes every traditional dish a must-try if you wish to experience the country’s culture in your taste buds.

If you are considering a Japan tour this year, here is a guide to the best foods to try in Japan. Register these masterpieces in your mind before you book those cheap flights to Tokyo.

Tempura
Takoyaki
Yakitori
Shabu-Shabu
Gyoza
Okonomiyaki
Mochi
Onigiri
Japanese Curry
Sushi and Sashimi
Wrapping Up – The Best Foods to Try in Japan
FAQs
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Tempura

Tempura is one of Japan’s most popular street food items. It is the definition of perfection when it comes to fried food. It comprises lightly battered deep fried sea food or vegetables. You will find everything from shrimp (the most popular) to vegetables and even flowers cooked this way.

The batter is always super light and crispy; Japanese cooks spend years mastering the craft of coating the food just enough to make sure the outside is crisp while the inside remains soft and flavourful. The key is to use cold water and be careful of not mixing it too much. The oil too has to be at the right temperature for the Tempura to turn out perfectly.

When you put the food in your mouth, you taste the main flavours, and not the oil.

Often served with a light sauce that adds more flavour without overpowering the main ingredient, Tempura is one of the top foods to try in Japan.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki is perhaps one of the most popular Japanese dishes that you must try. Having originated in Osaka, this savoury dish has Japanese magic written all over it. It mainly consists of golden bite-sized octopus balls soaked in a rich savoury takoyaki sauce. These balls are cooked in a special moulded pan and are made from light wheat flour batter, with a centre stuffed with diced octopus, crispy tempura scraps, green onion, and pickled ginger. The texture is soft, moist, and delicate; it melts in your mouth revealing a burst of savoury flavours combining the stuffing and the sauce.

Takoyaki is most popular as a street food item. Often touted as the best dish in Japan among unique Japanese items, this one is best tasted in Osaka – its birthplace.

Also Read: Why Japan is Asia’s Most Travel-Friendly Destination For Indians in 2026

Yakitori

Yakitori is Japan’s improvisation of the classic kebab. They are essentially grilled chicken skewers made from bite sized pieces of chicken meat cooked over charcoal. Different parts of the chicken starting from the breasts and thighs, to the skin, and liver, are used for this dish. It tastes beautifully smoky and is often paired with a sweet and salty sauce. Yakitori is typically served as street food along with alcohol. Hence, you will find them in the street food stalls and bars in Japan. Some restaurants specialize in Yakitori too. If you are looking for a quick and flavour-rich bite while strolling along the streets in Tokyo or Ginza, Yakitori is one of the best foods to try in Japan.

Shabu-Shabu

Shabu-Shabu, as intriguing as it sounds, is one of the most popular Japanese dishes that you must-try among hearty meals in the country. An onomatopoeic name that means “swish swish”, it is derived from the sound the ingredients make when it is being made; chefs stir thinly sliced meat and vegetables in boiling water to cook it piece by piece. The dish is a form of a Japanese hot pot, and is often served with a variety of dipping sauces. Because of its wholesome quality, Shabu-Shabu is a great option in social dining experiences in Japan. This means, if you are going with a group or with friends, pick a community diner and taste this top food in Japan.

Gyoza

Japanese Gyoza, inspired by jiaozi – a Chinese dish, are dumplings filled with ground pork or chicken meat and vegetables, wrapped in a thin dough and pan fried. The filling also typically includes green onions, cabbage, garlic, ginger, chives, sesame oil, and soy sauce. However, you will find a large variety of Gyoza in different parts of Japan, each offering different delicious flavours. They are typically served as a side dish or as an appetizer, but also pair well with ramen noodles. They are the best food from Japan if you are looking for quick bites and snacks to munch on when taking breaks from street hopping.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki, often referred to as Japanese Pizza in the US regions, is a savoury wheat flour pancake that comprises many toppings and flavours. Some of the most popular additions include shredded cabbage and a form of protein or meat. The name “Okonomiyaki” essentially means “grill your favourite” or “cook what you like” – this makes it one of the most unique Japanese dishes that encompasses endless combinations and possibilities. The ingredients of the dish depend on the speciality flavours of the street vendor or restaurant serving it, and could be anything from meat, fish, seafood, bacon, chicken, corn, or vegetables. More additions that enrich the pancake include special sauces, fish flakes, and mayo – all of which move in the heat. The best part is that once you select your preferred toppings and ingredients, the pancake is fried on the grill live, in front of you and served hot.

Don’t forget to try this gem of a dish in Japanese cuisine when you step out.

Also Read: Japan Visa For Indians: Requirements And How to Apply

Mochi

Mochi is one of the best foods to try in Japan if you have a sweet tooth, and also if you have a weak spot for cute-looking food. It is essentially a rice cake made from ground glutinous rice, which is steamed and then pounded into sticky colourful balls. The texture is pillowy soft and chewy, with sweet and balanced flavours of sugar and coconut milk. In some Japanese food stalls and restaurants, you will also find savoury versions of this pretty dish. Typically, Mochi is known to pair well with Japanese green tea. If you are on the hunt for a memorable Japanese dessert dish, this is the one.

Onigiri

Onigiri is the famous comfort food that you see often gracing children’s lunchboxes in Japan. Made from steamed rice shaped into a ball,triangle or a cylinder, and wrapped in nori or dried seaweed, Onigiri is a unique Japanese dish that bursts with flavours. It can either be stuffed with anything from vegetables to salmon or pickled plum, or eaten plain. The light crispness of the seaweed coupled with the flavours of the stuffing and savouriness of the rice makes it one of the best foods to try in Japan. You can find this dish served fresh in the many restaurants and food stalls in Japan, and is a must-try if you are up for experimenting with traditional Japanese cuisine.

Japanese Curry

Japanese Curry is another perfect example of comfort food in the country. There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of Japanese Curry when you wish to experience Japan’s warmth in the best way possible. Unlike Indian curry, the Japanese version is known for its mild, slightly sweet flavours, and is often enjoyed in the form of curry rice, curry bread, or curry noodles (udon). If you wish to try something different, and quintessentially Japanese, try the karē pan or the bread version; it comprises a deep-fried crispy bun filled with delicious curry made of all things good – veggies like potato, carrots, and onions, and meat. It is wholesome, affordable, and tasty all while bringing you the essence of Japanese cuisine.

Sushi and Sashimi

Japan Sushi, Sashimi and Miso Soup
Image courtesy: Shutterstock/Afkaar Photography

Sushi and Sashimi are perhaps the flagbearers of Japanese food; they are undoubtedly one of the top foods to try in Japan. These are some of the most popular Asian specialities that mostly evolved through China, but abundantly flourished and took interesting turns in Japan. Unlike the replicas and improvised versions of sushi that you may have tried in other countries including India, real Japanese Sushi is a cut above. Each piece is carefully made by hand, and the rice is warm, not cold. While raw fish (sashimi) may sound off-putting for some, in reality, it is deliciously soft and melts in your mouth. Once again, perfecting the consistency of the rice and fish elements is something that Japanese chefs spend years practicing. Overall, Sushi and sashimi taste fresh and clean with the rice and fish complementing each other beautifully. If you are up for more experimenting, try other varieties of sushi such as jellyfish (kurage) or urchin (uni).

Also Read: Your Complete Japan Travel Guide: Must-See Cities, Experiences, & More

Wrapping Up – The Best Foods to Try in Japan

Japan brims with delicious little surprises that go beyond these 10 masterpieces. But to grasp the essence of the oh-so-famous Japanese cuisine, these are the 10 top foods to try. From traditional sushi and sashimi to pillowy mochi and wholesome curry, these 10 foods carry some of the most popular and delicate flavours the country has to offer.

Keep this list handy for when you book your next Japan tour package. Secure your Japan visa with a reliable provider of online visa services for 180+ countries, and make sure to pre-book your accommodation at one of the best hotels in Tokyo for a smooth travel experience.

FAQs

What is the #1 most popular food in Japan?

The number one most popular food in Japan is Sushi. It is the most famous and most popular Japanese food that offers delicious flavours of sticky savoury rice and soft, melt-in-the-mouth raw fish.

A few other popular Japanese foods to try are Tempura, Takoyaki, Yakitori, Shabu-Shabu, Mochi, and Japanese Curry.

What food must I try in Japan?

There is a wide range of Japanese foods in different categories like staples, rice, noodles, and desserts that you must try in Japan. The top 10 foods to try in Japan are:

Tempura
Takoyaki
Yakitori
Shabu-Shabu
Gyoza
Okonomiyaki
Mochi
Onigiri
Japanese Curry
Sushi & Sashimi

In addition to these, you must also try some of Japan’s famous rice and noodle bowls like gyudon (beef rice bowl), ramen, and udon.

What is the signature dish of Japan?

Japan does not have an official “signature dish” but Sushi is globally and nationally recognized as the country’s signature dish. It represents the essence of Japanese cuisine and serves as the perfect example of the country’s culinary artistry, freshness, flavour, and tradition.

What is the rule of 5 in Japanese food?

According to the rules concerning the enjoyment of food in Shintoism, which emphasizes humanity’s connection to nature, an ideal meal should display five colours, five flavours, and five cooking methods. It should also stimulate the five human senses, and must be eaten with five ideas in mind, one of which must include respect for the cultivation and harvest of the ingredients.

This is believed to be the rule of 5 in Japanese food.

What are popular Japanese street foods?

Some popular must-try Japanese street foods include:

Takoyaki – diced octopus balls
Okonomiyaki – a savoury wheat-flour pancake with various toppings
Yakitori – grilled chicken skewers
Gyoza – pan-fried dumplings
Karaage – Japanese-style fried chicken
Onigiri – sticky rice balls with different fillings, wrapped in seaweed

What is the number one snack in Japan?

Some popular snack items in Japan are:

Kit Kats (Japan exclusive flavours like Wasabi, Sake, and Matcha)
Mochi
Melon pan
Tokyo Banana
Pocky & Pretz (biscuit sticks)
Onigiri
Hi-Chew
Famichiki

What must I eat in Osaka?

Some specialities to try in Osaka are Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Ramen, and kushi-katsu (skewered meat and seafood).

What is Osaka’s signature dish?

Osaka does not have a designated signature dish, but some very popular specialty dishes in Osaka include Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.

What food to try in Dotonbori?

Dotonbori is a bustling district in Osaka, Japan known for being a prime tourist location and nightlife area. Some foods to try in Dotonbori include:

Takoyaki
Melon Pan
Gyoza
Kushikatsu
Akashiyaki
Egg tarts
Candied fruit

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