Originally posted June 6, 2019
Reposted January 18, 2023
Japanese food is all over the world, and you can easily have it in your home country. But there are certain must-eat foods that you have to experience that are beyond sushi and ramen:
If you want a fun, Japanese meal in Japan, you must go to a yakitori joint where chicken skewers are grilled over hot charcoal and you wash it all down with multiple rounds of beer, sake, highballs, etc. This is quintessential Japanese food.
Katsu becomes magical in Japan because of how it is extra fluffy, flaky, crispy, and crunchy battered over the cleanest and most succulent tasting cuts of Japanese-grown pork. Plus, there’s the added enjoyment from the special Japanese rice and all the condiments.
Sukiyaki is a must splurge when visiting Japan. The best Japanese beef never leaves the country. This is a great way to enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth taste and experience of Japanese-grown wagyu beef along with the luxury of table-side sukiyaki dining.
You must dine at a tempura bar in Japan. With this experience, you get to taste the tempura fresh from the hot oil and eat it one piece at the time. Plus, the chefs may be amiable and guide you to the best ways to eat each piece, for instance with salt or tempura sauce.
Handmade soba is another must eat food in Japan. As opposed to the dried, packaged soba which you may be familiar with in restaurants, specialty soba restaurants in Japan make it from fresh and from scratch. You can really taste the difference in taste, texture, and freshness.
Beef curry is comfort food in Japan. There’s nothing like the comfort and depth of flavor of beef curry over rice. Most hotels, even the luxury ones, will offer their house signature beef curry in their lobby cafes and for room service.
Yes, pizza. Having pizza in Japan is a must because it is some of the best in the world because of the ingredients and the Japanese love of Italian cuisine. In fact, after Italy, Japan has the most number of certified authentic Neapolitan pizzas.
Onigiri. So simple, so delicious, so memorable. These rice triangles can be found at any convenience store, though 7-Eleven and Lawsons have the best ones. This is great for breakfast, lunch, and a snack at any time of the day.
Buy your Official JR Pass and Regional Pass!
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