25 Japanese Foods to Try on Your Trip (and Where)

Food is a highlight of any Japan trip. Here are 25 dishes to seek out, from cheap eats to special meals. For dining tips, see our food guide.

Noodles

1. Ramen — try tonkotsu in Fukuoka, miso in Sapporo and shoyu in Tokyo.
2. Soba — buckwheat noodles, hot or cold; famous in Nagano and Izumo.
3. Udon — thick wheat noodles; Sanuki udon from Kagawa is legendary.
4. Tsukemen — dipping noodles.

Sushi and seafood

5. Sushi — conveyor-belt for fun, counter omakase for a treat.
6. Sashimi and kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) — try at fish markets like Tsukiji Outer Market or Hakodate Morning Market.
7. Unagi — grilled eel; Nagoya's hitsumabushi is a regional style.

Street food and casual

8. Takoyaki — octopus balls, Osaka's signature.
9. Okonomiyaki — savoury pancake; compare Osaka style and layered Hiroshima style.
10. Yakitori — grilled chicken skewers with beer.
11. Gyoza — dumplings; Utsunomiya and Hamamatsu are famous.
12. Karaage — Japanese fried chicken.
13. Taiyaki — fish-shaped cakes filled with red bean.

Comfort food

14. Tonkatsu — breaded pork cutlet.
15. Japanese curry.
16. Gyūdon — beef bowl, the classic cheap meal.
17. Tempura.
18. Oden — simmered winter stew, even at convenience stores.

Special experiences

19. Kaiseki — multi-course seasonal dinner, often at a ryokan.
20. Wagyu — Kobe, Matsusaka, Ōmi and Hida beef; see Kobe and Takayama.
21. Shabu-shabu and sukiyaki — hotpot.
22. Shōjin ryōri — Buddhist vegetarian temple cuisine.

Sweet things and snacks

23. Matcha sweets — Uji near Kyoto is the place.
24. Wagashi — traditional confectionery with tea.
25. Convenience store treats — egg sandwiches, onigiri, seasonal desserts. See our konbini guide.

Vegetarian or with allergies? Read our dietary guide.