Japanese food has completely stolen my heart, from that very first soul-warming slurp of ramen to the last delicate nibble of a sweet treat. I’ve gathered up 38 amazing dishes that I truly believe everyone needs to experience at least once, whether you’re dreaming of a trip to Japan or just want to channel those flavors in your own kitchen. Let's jump into this delicious, cozy, irresistible world together.
1. Soba
Soba are thin, buckwheat flour noodles that are one of the more healthier noodle varieties. They can be served cold, and with a nice dipping sauce.
So basically, it makes for a great dish to have on hot days. Or, you can have it with a hot broth on a cold day, but it’s up to you!
I’d personally test out both methods. However, it’s said that they are best appreciated cold, since soaking them in the hot broth changes its texture.
2. Mochi
Mochi is such a fun Japanese sweet! It’s made from glutinous rice flour pounded into a soft chewy paste, and formed into a shape. Also, there are different types you can get.
3. Udon
Udon is probably my husband’s favorite noodle dish. They’re these super thick noodles made of wheat flour, and they’re so much fun to eat. Traditionally, they’re served with soup, and can be very comforting on a cold day.
4. Gyoza
Gyoza are another must order for me every single time I hit a Japanese spot. These little dumplings get pan fried to a golden, crispy bottomed glory and then steamed, so you get that irresistible contrast in textures.
Inside, it’s a delicious mix of pork, garlic, ginger, cabbage, and more. Oh, and I recently found out they originally traveled all the way from Manchuria in northern China. Isn’t it wild how food migrates?
5. Nabe
Nabe (or Nabemono, literally translating out as “things in a cooking pot”), refers to soups and stews that are made in a hot pot for cold days. So, for instance, you might see chankonabe, which I’ve made myself, and it’s very tasty. 👍 It’s a delicious soup that sumo wrestlers eat, and it has ingredients like chicken, udon, meatballs, and different types of veggies.
6. Unagi
Unagi is freshwater eel that gets butterflied, cleaned, and skewered, then broiled and charcoal grilled while being slathered in a glossy, savory sweet sauce. You can enjoy it draped over sushi rice, in a bowl of unadon, or even tucked into unagi pie, a quirky sweet biscuit made with powdered eel. It sounds surprising, but it’s a real thing.
7. Natto
I keep on hearing conflicting views on this Japanese dish; you either love it or hate it. But essentially, natto is fermented soy beans, that can be served over rice with a few other ingredients.
It’s been dubbed as a superfood by many since it’s packed with nutrients. However, even though natto is very healthy, it apparently has a strong acquired taste.
8. Karaage
If you’re a fried food lover like I am, karaage is going to be your new best friend. It’s a Japanese technique of deep frying all kinds of meat, but chicken karaage is the superstar you’ll
9. Wagashi
I love wagashi, and it’s one of my favorite foods from Japan! It’s a traditional Japanese sweet and can take on many different forms. I love having mine with red bean paste; there’s something so delicious about the sweet flavors!
10. Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is one of the most popular styles of hot pot, or nabe, in Japan. Also, like the other hot pots, it’s widely eaten in the colder winter months, and is a fun meal to have with your family and friends. With this hot pot, you’ll see slowly simmered well-marbled beef, veggies, mushrooms, and tofu, all in a very savory, sweet, and salty broth.
11. Takoyaki
Straight out of Osaka, takoyaki is one of the most iconic street food snacks you’ll find. These golden fried dough balls are stuffed with goodies like crunchy tempura bits and tender octopus, then generously drizzled with creamy Kewpie mayo and tangy takoyaki sauce. It’s an irresistible little bite.
12. Matcha
Matcha is a very traditional drink from Japan, and my husband and I fell in love with it when we visited. While we were living in Japan, we met a tea master who ran a tea shop close to where we stayed. We talked to him quite a bit, and he was super helpful for understanding the art of tea ceremony, and matcha.
13. Tempura
Tempura is one of my absolute favorite things to order at a Japanese restaurant, it’s just so incredibly tasty. You bite into those big, gorgeous prawns and slices of sweet potato, pumpkin, and shiitake mushrooms, all cloaked in a shatteringly crispy batter. Every single bite is ridiculously satisfying, especially with that perfect dipping sauce alongside.
14. Yakitori
Yakitori is the quintessential skewered chicken you’ll spot in izakayas, those casual Japanese bars. But don’t let the simplicity fool you, this is serious business. Some specialty spots have chefs who track down the finest chicken breeds from specific regions just to make their skewers taste absolutely incredible.
15. Wagyu
I absolutely adored eating Wagyu when I called Japan home. There was this incredible steakhouse in Kyoto named Pound where the Wagyu was always melt in your mouth tender and packed with flavor. Trust me, there is a very good reason for that.
16. Nikujaga
Nikujaga is a satisfying and filling looking stew that has meat, potatoes, and veggies that are cooked in tasty seasonings like sake, mirin and soy sauce. Apparently, it’s a dish that’s made in many different households in Japan, so the flavors and ingredients can change. And if you wanna make it at home yourself, then here’s a recipe for Nikujaga.
17. Japanese Curry
Japanese curry has my whole heart. It’s deeply savory and so, so comforting when the weather turns chilly. The beauty is how many ways you can eat it: ladled over rice, paired with a crispy pork or chicken cutlet, nestled next
18. Sushi
Sushi is the dish that probably pops into everyone’s head when they think of Japanese food, and I’m completely fascinated by its backstory. It’s been around forever and has shape shifted into so many different forms over time.
Believe it or not, sushi didn’t begin as a raw fish thing. It was originally a clever way to preserve fish, wrapping it in fermented rice to keep it edible.
19. Yakisoba
Yakisoba are Japanese stir-fry noodles that first started showing up in the 1930s. And since then, it’s been widely enjoyed at home, and in Japanese diners (Teishoku-ya).
But it’s also very popular as a Japanese street food. But in this stir-fry dish, you’re going to be getting thinly sliced meat, Chinese-style wheat noodles, and veggies like carrots, cabbage, and onions that are tossed in a tasty sauce.
20. Ramen
If you’ve never set foot in a real ramen shop, let me promise you this: ramen is a whole universe beyond those instant packets. At a great spot you get fresh noodles swimming in a rich, homemade broth with tender meats and those jammy marinated eggs.
Suddenly it becomes a top tier obsession. My personal go to is tonkotsu ramen, with that luscious, creamy pork bone broth that just hugs your soul.
21. Tamago Kake Gohan
I love this super simple Japanese breakfast dish. I remember going to this Japanese restaurant for breakfast in Kyoto.
My husband and I had ordered a set meal, and one of the things we got was tamago kake gohan. We were a bit confused; we had a bowl of hot steamed rice, soy sauce, and a raw egg.
22. Onigiri
Onigiris are one of my favorite Japanese snacks to eat. They’re rice balls formed into a triangular shape, with different tasty fillings.
Also, they have a nori seaweed wrap at the bottom, or sometimes all the way around. Here are some fillings you might want try:
23. Tamagoyaki
Whenever I needed a fast meal in Japan, I’d grab one of those lovely premade bento boxes, and they often included tamagoyaki, those delicate Japanese rolled omelettes. I really loved them because they hit this magical note: savory, a little bit sweet, and pure eggy deliciousness.
24. What is Traditional Japanese Food?
As we wrap things up, I thought it would be good to go over what traditional Japanese food really is. I think it’s good if you understand a bit more about it, and it’s history. Washoku, or Japanese cuisine, covers so many different traditional, seasonal, and regional ingredients, and foods from Japan.
25. Castella Cake (Japanese Sponge Cake)
Castella, (also called Kasutera and Japanese sponge cake), is a dessert that was introduced by the Portuguese in the 1500s. The Portuguese had a cake called Pão de Castela (hence the name Castella cake), which just means “bread from Castile.” Interestingly enough, the difference between the Japanese version and the western version of this sponge cake, is that the Castella cake only rises because of the egg foam. There are no other leavening agents.
26. Omurice
I'm such a fan of omurice. Picture a fluffy omelette wrapped around savory chicken fried rice and then blanketed with curry, that’s how I devoured it at a restaurant in Japan.
More often, though, you’ll see it crowned with a simple squiggle of ketchup. Both versions are comfort food gold.
27. Oden
Whether it’s the middle of the winter, or not, I’m trying this Japanese cold-weather dish. Oden is going to be a hot pot filled up with amazing ingredients like eggs, fish cakes (which I personally love), daikon radish, potatoes, and a lot more.
Also, the broth sounds delicious, but super simple. So you’ll see Dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sake make up the flavors for this hot pot.
28. Katsudon
Katsudon is another type of donburi, and it looks amazing. 👌 Side note: Donburi is a Japanese rice bowl dish, and it can have many different toppings. For this donburi dish, you’ll typically get a tasty pork cutlet, onions, and flavored egg.
29. Tofu
Tofu is an ingredient you’ll encounter everywhere in Japan, popping up in soups, alongside meat, or shining as the star of a dish with just a few simple companions. There are a million ways to enjoy it, but I honestly think the best move is to try it right in Japan. That way you’re tasting the real deal, undeniably authentic.
30. Kaisendon
If you like fish, then this is a great dish for you. You’re getting a bowl of unseasoned white rice, that’s topped with thinly sliced sashimi, other types of seafood, and sauce. You can get this dish at different restaurants and seafood markets, but you could also make it home.
31. Bento
Bento is a Japanese home packed meal, usually lunch, or single-portion take out. So traditionally, bento can consist of rice, meat, and veggies that are either cooked or pickled.
For the rice part, you’ll see it either prepared normally, and it can take up to half of the bento box. But you’ll also see it made into onigiris (Japanese rice ball), or fried rice.
32. Monjayaki
Apparently, this is a very popular Japanese dish in Tokyo! It’s pan-fried batter that can come mixed with different ingredients like shredded cabbage, pork, and different types of seafood.
And instead of being like a pancake, it looks more like a crêpe. I think this would be a very fun food to try when visiting Tokyo!
33. Okonomiyaki
I really like this Japanese dish! It’s this really fluffy savory pancake, that can be made with egg, meats, cabbage, cheese, and other tasty ingredients. It also has awesome toppings like Japanese mayo (which is so creamy), and a delicious brown sauce.
34. Melon Pan
A very classic Japanese sweet bread that has a thin crispy cookie-like crust, and a crisscross pattern on top. The word ‘pan’ comes from the Japanese word for bread, but when it comes to the melon part, there is no melon flavor. The main theories are that it resembles different melons, but either way, it sounds and looks very good!
35. Gyudon
A simple but delicious beef and rice bowl. It’s a Japanese dish of thinly sliced beef, well-cooked sweet onions, and fresh hot steamed rice.
I’ve had it before and it’s very satisfying. You’re getting amazing bites of tasty and savory beef and onions, and rice that’s soaked in the juices
36. Tonkatsu
I love tonkatsu! It’s a tasty breaded and deep fried pork cutlet, and it makes for a very filling meal! Also, remember how I talked about how omurice was (potentially) invented by a Tokyo restaurant called Rengatei?
37. Shabu Shabu
Shabu shabu is a lot of fun to eat! It’s a type of hot pot, where the meat and veggies are cooked in kombu dashi broth, and everyone takes part in the cooking. Also there are different types of dipping sauces, and that can make it a lot more tasty!
38. Miso Soup
Miso soup might just be the most ubiquitous Japanese soup around the globe, and it’s a cozy, savory side that fits into any meal, from breakfast to dinner. You can grab it at the store in a flash, but making a quick homemade version is where the real magic happens. I’m honestly convinced that a from scratch bowl beats anything you’d get at a restaurant or from a packet, hands down.