Guide to Japanese Cuisine

Intro

From sushi to sake, Japanese cuisine is unforgettable. If you’re planning a visit to Japan, one of the main selling-points might be the incredible food and drink you’ll get to enjoy. Like Japan itself, the country’s cuisine is unique, diverse, and extra special. From Michelin-starred sushi and ramen to traditional Izakayas where beer and food go hand in hand to street food stalls at Japan’s colourful festivals, Japanese cuisine has something for everyone. For those who already love Japanese food, being able to visit and try the real thing is a dream come true, while first-timers should prepare to have their minds blown and their tastes changed forever. But where should you start when it comes to Japanese cuisine? What are the must-try dishes? We love Japanese food and drink here at JapanDen and we’re here to tell you everything you need to know in our exclusive quick start guide. Read on for our exclusive menu. 

What’s so special about Japanese Cuisine?

Fresh, world-leading ingredients, with an emphasis on seasonal local produce, quality food and drink, nutritionally balanced dishes, and the highest standards of excellence in preparation, Japanese cuisine is renowned the world over. It is also incredibly diverse. If you thought Japanese cuisine was just sushi then prepare to think again. From fine-dining to festival stalls, rice wine and tea ceremonies to whisky and craft beer, Japanese cuisine is unique, different, and distinct. It can also vary considerably by prefecture and season. As you might expect, speciality dishes in subtropical Okinawa in the south of Japan can be quite different to those in snowy northern Hokkaido - and you can try both! 

During your stay in Japan, you’ll find amazing regional specialities, seasonal favourites, and special dishes prepared for festivals and special occasions. As an island nation, Japan is famous for its love of seafood, rice, vegetables, and distinctive flavourings, from miso and miro to wasabi and yuzu! 

Alongside the country’s famous, homegrown dishes, Japanese chefs are also masters at refining and adding new twists to food and drink from its global neighbours and elevating it to new levels - just look at what the country’s artisans have done with whiskey as a perfect example. It’s no wonder that as of 2024, Japan has the second highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the entire world and the highest number in one city - with 200 in Tokyo alone! 

Today, Japanese cuisine or ‘Washoku’, which means ‘food of Japan’ is known for its individuality and exceptional quality. Chefs spend years learning their craft and often focus on mastering a single dish or culinary speciality, elevating it to new standards over years of intense practice. 

This approach has led to the exceptionally high-standard of culinary excellence in restaurants across Japan, which is reflected in the incredible number of Michelin stars awarded to chefs from the country. Even foods not traditionally associated with fine dining such as ramen and sushi have become gourmet specialities at the very highest level due to Japan’s focus on quality, technique, tradition, and innovation. In the case of sushi for example, the preparation may take decades to master, from making and shaping rice, to perfecting the flavour of fish through ageing, massaging, temperature control, and precision of cut. At the same time, Japan can also be a relaxed place to eat. Dine at a traditional Izakaya for example and you’ll find a lively atmosphere similar to a gastro pub where food and drink is enjoyed in large quantities, while sampling foods at one of the country’s colourful festivals, known as matsuri, can be a hugely fun, communal experience. 

Top 10 Dishes To Try In Japan

There are hundreds of delicious dishes to sample while visiting Japan, so we’ve picked out 10 of the most essential meals for you to try during your stay. 

1. Sushi

Okay, okay, I know we said that there is much more to Japanese food than sushi (and there is!), but it is also world-famous for a reason and there’s no better place to start when it comes to an introduction to Japan’s must-try dishes. Sushi is a Japanese dish consisting of lightly vinegared rice topped or filled with other ingredients (fish, meat, vegetables), often wrapped in nori seaweed and served with wasabi and soy sauce. 

The word sushi actually means ‘it’s sour’ and refers to fermented fish served with rice preserved in salt. The salt was used to preserve the fish for long periods and the taste gave sushi its name. The Japanese people ate this dish as it was for 1,000 years before the many different types of sushi we have today. It’s now Japan’s most famous dish and eaten around the world.

2. Sashimi 

Slices of fish - usually salmon or tuna - served raw and without rice, which makes it distinct from sushi.   

3. Ramen

Ramen is essentially a bowl of noodles and broth, which can be paired with a wide range of meats, vegetables, eggs, and different flavour combinations. It is a relatively simple dish on the surface, but its apparent simplicity is a serious part of its genius. When prepared by masters, it is a meal full of little subtleties, expertise and incredible depths of flavour.

You’ll find amazing ramen all over Japan, with Michelin-starred ramen restaurants in Tokyo and the famous ‘ramen alley’ - visited by the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain - in northern Sapporo. 

4. Kobe Beef

The most luscious, exclusive, and expensive beef in the world? That’s Kobe beef, which takes its name from the city which made it famous. This special grade of beef comes from the Tajima-gyu breed of cattle found in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture and its quality is said to come from the high amount of intramuscular fat in the meat, which creates an extraordinary marbling and quality of flavour. While Wagyu beef is highly valued (this is the general term for ‘Japanese cattle’ only Tajima-gyu breed qualify as Kobe beef it is that special. As a result, it can be incredibly expensive, but if you have the means it could be the meal of a lifetime.

5. Miso Soup

A traditional Japanese soup containing stock mixed with miso paste that is often used as a base or combined with other ingredients such as chicken, tofu, shrimp, seaweed, mushrooms and potatoes.

6. Takoyaki

Diced octopus encased in a light batter and rolled into a ball with spring onion and ginger and topped with green seaweed, sauce, sliced and dried bonito, and sometimes drizzled with mayonnaise. This delicious dish is famously a speciality of Osaka - a city known as Japan’s kitchen. 

7. Okonomiyaki

Another specialty of Osaka, Okonomiyaki is essentially a savoury pancake packed with cabbage, egg, seafood and noodles.

However, you should definitely check out Hiroshima’s layered twist of this famous dish, which has an equally great reputation. Maybe try both and decide which you like best?

8. Gyoza

Japanese dumplings made from a thin dough filled with shredded vegetables and meat, served with dipping sauces.

9. Nabe

Japan is famous for its use of crab and one of the many dishes it is used in is Nabe. Hokkaido in northern Japan is famous for the quality of its crab and Nabe - a traditional Japanese style hotpot - is known as a warming winter dish and often uses the island’s exceptional crab including king crab, snow crab, hairy crab, and thorny crab. Hokkaido is also famous for Ishikari nabe - a miso-based hotpot filled with a generous amount of salmon, stewed vegetables, and tofu.

10. Ekiben

This last dish isn’t a particular meal, but rather the name for Japanese train food, specifically ekiben. As well as being famous for the speed and efficiency of its trains, Japan also makes the world’s best train food, which is sold in bento boxes at its stations. Ekiben are delicious, fresh, high-quality boxed meals, often using locally sourced ingredients that reflect the local region. They are sold in a huge range of special varieties, from simple, tasty meals to elaborate limited editions and regional specialities. They also change with the seasons too and come in a range of containers – from relatively simple and traditional-looking wooden boxes and trays right through to stylish shinkansen-shaped containers. While most ekiben are rice-based, almost every Japanese food is available in lunch-box form, from sushi to yakisoba, omelette to wagyu beef. Some even include dessert.

Kanpai! Japan’s Drinks Scene 

Every delicious Japanese dish deserves a quality drink to wash it down with. Japan is famous for Sake (Japanese rice wine) and its tea ceremonies, but it also has a growing reputation for its outstanding whiskies, homegrown wine, thriving craft beer scene, and serious love of coffee. 

• Sake

Sake - or nihonshu as it is known in Japan - has been a part of Japanese culture for thousands of years. As quintessentially Japanese as sushi and sumo, many international visitors may feel unsure where to start with this complex beverage. First of all, sake is not what you think. The word ‘sake’ in Japanese actually refers to any alcoholic drink so if you went into a bar and asked for sake, you’re not being very specific. If you want the Japanese fermented, alcoholic beverage made from rice (commonly known as sake to westerners) then you should actually order nihonshu. This is sake’s true name.  

There are many different types and varieties of nihonshu available, from the inexpensive to the premium. Just like the huge range of wines in the world, they all taste subtly (and sometimes massively) different. For this reason, you need to try several types in order to get a sense of how it tastes and whether it is the drink for you. However, generally speaking, it can be described as tasting mildly sweet, with an aroma of fruit and nuts, and a slightly savoury finish. Sake is considered to be more complex and subtle than many other alcoholic drinks.

• Tea

Japan is famous for its love of green tea and its historic tea ceremonies are an artform in themselves. Known as the Way of Tea and called sadō, chanoyu or chadō in Japanese, the custom is a ceremonial serving of matcha green tea within a traditional tearoom. The Way of Tea, or sadō, became an established part of Japanese tea culture in the 15th and 16th century. 

Although tea ceremonies are often talked about in broad terms, there are actually many different types that take place. One way ceremonies can differ is their level of formality, which may come as a surprise given how traditional and formal the custom appears to outsiders. Believe it or not, the kind of tea ceremony most tourists see is actually the informal type, known as chakai. The more formal alternative, known as chaji, features a full meal, multiple teas and can last as long as four hours. The most common tea experiences for tourists are centred in popular destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto. For a less touristy option, consider visiting the Uji region, which is famous for its teahouses. 

• Whisky

What makes Japanese whisky so special? And why is Japan such an incredible place to visit for whisky lovers? Experts say it is the purity of the water, which is often taken from snow melt, sourced from the likes of Mt Fuji and the Southern Japanese Alps. Japan’s mineral-rich soil and its warmer climate (compared to traditional whisky producers such as Scotland or Ireland), also results in a unique flavour profile. It may also be the care taken by Japan’s master distillers to refine their craft to new levels. Whatever the reason, Japanese whisky is distinct, special, and has been winning global awards for its quality for decades now, including The Whisky Bible’s coveted Best Whisky in the World award. The premium, aged varieties also have a reputation for being increasingly hard to find, making them highly collectible. This was caused by the high demand for Japanese whisky skyrocketed among knowledgeable drinkers around the world - another sign of its quality.

• Beer

Japanese beer has always been crisp, clean and pure, with big mass produced brands from famous companies like Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory. It also has a thriving craft beer scene known as ‘Ji-biru’ (Japanese Craft Beer). The last 10 years in particular have seen an explosion in the numbers of bars dedicated to craft beer. When the Japan Beer Times - a bilingual magazine dedicated to the country’s craft beer industry - launched in 2010, there were just a few dozen bars specialising in craft beer. Today, there are hundreds of bars, dedicated annual beer festivals, and more than 300 breweries to visit, where you can taste freshly brewed and lovingly made craft beers.

• Coffee

Perhaps surprisingly for a tea-loving nation, Japan loves coffee and it occupies an important place in their modern culinary culture. While Japan’s coffee masters and independent kissaten (special Japanese coffee shops) have developed some of the finest coffee in the world and created special social spaces to enjoy it, the country has also pioneered affordable, mass-produced coffee for the nation’s busy, hardworking, and frequently on-the-go populace. This includes the aforementioned canned coffee, which is something that Japan first introduced to the world. As such, there are lots of different types of coffee available in Japan. As well as the usual cold brews, lattes, espressos, and more to try, here are a few additional varieties to look out for - canned coffee (affordable and ideal for those on the move); iced coffee (strong coffee in tall glass with ice cubes - with or without gomme sugar syrup; coffee fresh (this is coffee with a pot of cream); and more. An interesting coffee-related custom that to be aware of when visiting Japan is called ‘morning service’ and this is where you can receive a free breakfast, including toast, eggs, and salad, when you order a coffee.

Japanese Table Manners

Japan’s customs and etiquette may seem daunting if you’ve never been to the country before, but being aware of a few simple rules will make navigating the country a breeze. Japanese people are friendly, polite, patient, and gracious, when overseas visitors make the effort to try and follow their customs. 

• Greeting - Bowing is customary when greeting people.

• Ordering - Remember to say ‘kudasai’ or ‘please’ when ordering. If you’re not sure what to order, try using the word ‘Osusume’, which means ‘recommendation’, and ‘Omakase’ which is the ‘chef’s choice’. It can be seen as respectful to ask the chef and most restaurants offer a menu of chef’s recommendations.

• Oshibori - This is a towel specifically for cleaning your hands during a meal and is not for your face, neck or mouth. Using it for anything other than your hands is considered a faux pas.

• Chopsticks - They should be used to pass food into your mouth without touching the sides. Do not point at food or people with them. Do not stab food with them. If you place them on the table to the side of your dish it signifies you’re still eating, but if you place them together and sideways across the plate or bowl then this means you are finished. 

• Eating - Start a meal by saying ‘Itadaki-masu’ which means ‘I gratefully receive’ before you begin. Remember not to put too much on your plate as anything left uneaten could be seen as a sign of impoliteness. 

• Drinking - The number one rule is to never start drinking alone. Always wait until all of your guests have a drink before drinking yourself, then say ‘kanpai’ which means ‘cheers’.

• Paying - You can end a meal by saying ‘gochisōsama deshita’, which means ‘Thank you for the feast’. Crossing one finger over the other to create an ‘X’ can then also be used to signify you are ready for the bill. 

• Tipping - Tipping is not necessary or expected in Japan. In fact, it’s best not to tip as it’s not part of Japanese dining culture and can cause confusion.  

Did you know? 

A great way to get familiar with Japanese cuisine before you travel is to learn to cook Japanese food at home. As well as being fun, educational, relaxing, and easier than you might think, it will also give you a fresh perspective and new appreciation of the key ingredients that help make Japanese food stand out. As a starter, we’ve picked out four famous Japanese stables to help begin your culinary journey. 

• Matcha

Produced by grinding down matcha tea leaves, this famous fine powder is known for its bright green colour. It is used in teas and desserts.

• Miso

Arguably one of Japan’s most famous ingredients, miso is soya bean paste. There are a number of different varieties. 

• Wasabi

Native to Japan, wasabi is Japanese horseradish. It is ground into a powerful paste that is used as a condiment with sushi and other dishes.

• Yuzu

This juice comes from Yuzu, a citrus fruit, with a sharp, sour flavour that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Useful Links

Here at JapanDen, we take a holistic approach to helping you plan the perfect trip to this incredible country. As well as providing guidance on where to stay, you’ll find expert travel advice, 24/7 support, portable WiFi devices, essential information, and in-depth articles on key topics such as Getting Around Japan, Japanese Cuisine, What To Pack For Japan, and more. At JapanDen, our mission is to bring together everything you could possibly want or need to know about Japan in one place to ensure the best possible travel experience. Find out more below: 

• For the perfect place to stay, visit our Hotels page and choose from more than 2,800 hotels and 1,800 traditional ryokans.

• Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about Japan’s regions and prefectures so you can decide the best area to visit, you should check out our Destinations page. 

• If you’re looking to explore Japan then the country’s famously efficient trains are the way to go. Japan’s railways are renowned as being the fastest, cleanest, and safest in the world. The country’s rail network is so vast and interconnected that it can help you reach almost any corner of Japan you’d like to visit. Furthermore, with a Japan Rail Pass you can enjoy unlimited travel on the majority of the country’s trains, including the famous Shinkansen ‘bullet trains’. The JR Pass is by far the most cost effective and flexible way to get around Japan. Find out more by visiting our partners at www.jrpass.com today.

• Want to use Google Translate to support your language skills? Or Google Maps for live train updates? What about posting photos to social media or keeping in touch with home? For all this and more, you’ll need a PocketWifi device like those from Ninja Wifi. With unlimited data, support for five devices simultaneously, the ability to share your Wifi with your travel companions, and more, renting a PocketWifi is highly recommended. Our Pocket WiFi guide has everything you need to know. 

• If you’re looking for information about Japan and want to speak with fellow travellers who have been there and done that, then you should join our Community. This welcoming and friendly forum is the place to go to share stories, knowledge, and experiences about Japan, ask questions, make new connections, and find travel inspiration.