Japanese cuisine boasts some of the most flavoursome dishes in the world. So, when in Japan, you should definitely try the following:

Sushi

Probably the most popular Japanese food around the world, sushi traditionally referred to fish fermented in vinegar. Today, it usually consists of rice and other ingredients, served with sushi vinegar. Some of the most notable sushi types are nigiri, temaki, and norimaki.

Ramen

A dish that originated in China, ramen is a type of noodle dish that is commonly available and cheap in Japan. Prepared by making a soup base from fish (or other meat) and cooking wheat noodles, different regions all over the country have their own ramen specialties, such as Hokkaido region’s miso and Kyushu’s tonkotsu.

Okonomiyaki

Primarily consisting of cabbage and batter, okonomiyaki is a pancake-like dish that is pan fried and served with different kinds of toppings, usually meat, seafood and vegetables. It is available in many restaurants around the country.

Soba

With noodles made from buckwheat, soba is a staple Japanese food that can be served either hot or cold, with meat, seafood and vegetables, and soy sauce or other dipping sauces. The most stripped down type of cold soba is called mori, which consists of only noodles and dipping sauce made of mirin, water, and soup stock.

Yakitori

An inexpensive Japanese food that is frequently enjoyed with beer, yakitori is made of bite-sized chicken pieces, skewered, and grilled over charcoal. Among the most popular types include negima (chicken thigh), torikawa (chicken skin), and reba (chicken liver).

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a type of dish made of thick pork slices that are breadcrumbed, deep fried and served as rice bowl toppings. In restaurants, it is typically prepared as a set meal with soup, dipping sauces, and other side dishes.

Tempura

Made by deep frying battered vegetables and seafood, tempura is a traditional Japanese dish that is widely available around Japan, commonly prepared as a main dish, a topping for soba, udon, or rice bowls, and as a side dish. The most famous varieties are ebi (prawn/shrimp), sakana (fish), nasu (eggplant), kinoko (mushrooms), and satsumaimo (sweet potato).

Shabu shabu

Shabu shabu is a dish made of thin slices of pork or beef boiled in water, mixed with vegetables, spices, and other ingredients. It is frequently served with a bowl of steamed rice or noodles and is dipped in sauces, particularly goma or ponzu.