Any trip to Japan isn’t complete without trying their wide variety of food options. We’ve listed the top foods to try on your next trip to Japan.
Donburi:
This dish consists of a big rice bowl where the “mono” refers to a delicious topping that is served over the rice bed. There are many variations of Donburi that range from comfort foods such as stewed beef and onions gyu-don, chicken and egg oyako-don, or fried pork and egg katsu-don, to more refined dishes like marinated eel unagi-don, sea urchin una-don, or tempuraten-don. Each of these dishes present exceptional value, true for even the most expensive of the fish dishes, when you eat out because you will eat a one-dish meal. Finding a local shop of high-quality can take some work, but you will appreciate it in the end. On the other hand, if you’re simply looking to try gyu-don, then you should visit one of the chain stores such as Matsuya or Yoshinoya. It will be up to you to decide which tastes better because this is a question that has long divided the nation. However, if you live close to a seafood market or the sea it is worthwhile to look for seafood variations as they will be taste the freshest.
Okonomiyaki:
It’s not quite considered pizza, a crepe, or a pancake but it sure is delicious! It is created with egg, batter, and then you choose between beef, vegetables, pork, noodles, or even seafood. Since the ingredients are generally served raw, you must cook them using a large hotplate (teppan) that you are seated around. There are a number of different ways you can make Okonomiyaki, but this will largely depend if you’re located in Osaka, Tokyo, or Hiroshima. However, the basic recipe is where the fillings are cooked and then covered with beaten egg and the batter. After this is done you cook the Okonomiyaki atop the teppan and smash them down using a metal spatula to flatten. Let them cook for five minutes and then flip them over. Your main goal is to give them a nice brown color on the outside while keeping it soft inside. Once you have browned them, simply pour on the sauce or mayonnaise and brush it around. One final option if you are into it is to top the sauce off with fish flakes.
Ramen:
These are the Chinese noodles that have developed into the fast food industry in Japan’s staple. Simply stop in for a lunch or little to eat after a night of drinking that is both fast and cheap. Ramen shops are easy to find on nearly all of Japan’s street corners. The most difficult thing about the experience will be what to eat. They have lots of good foods such as miso, curry, chicken broth topped with marinated pork or an extra serving of spring onions. The truth is that you won’t be disappointed with any of the food choices as they are all tasty. You may even find that adding an order of Japanese fried pot stickers, or gyoza, is the ideal way to top off your meal.
Yakitori:
Yakitori is essentially grilled chicken where each skewer can contain a full spectrum of meat, heart, chicken bits, skin, liver, and cartilage. Prices are typically per skewer, and this is still true if they deliver multiple ones to your table; so buyers beware! Yakitoris are cooked over charcoal, to order and are served with either seasoning salt (shio) or sauce (tare). Some people find that nothing is better with these than good company a big cold beer. You can find these nearly everywhere as they are sold in street stalls and specialized restaurants. Regardless how you eat them, pull up a seat and be ready for your order to be shouted across the room. It will be recited by people such as the cook and your server.
