BRB. Booking a ticket now.
All thanks to more competitive travel rates and promos, more people are able to explore different parts of the world! One of the world’s most visited and most loved destinations is the land of the rising sun, Japan. Depending on which island or city you’re visiting and whichever season you plan to fly in, there is always something magical and new to discover; you won’t even mind getting lost.
It goes without saying that a trip to Japan isn’t complete without trying specialty dishes and hunting down all the offbeat sushi or ramen houses that you’ve seen online. And trust us, it won’t even hurt your pocket because most restaurants are actually quite affordable in Japan.
So save or bookmark this list (which comes with recommended restaurants) for your next trip to Japan. Enjoy!
Takoyaki
This quintessential Japanese snack which is also referred to as ‘octopus balls’ is famous all over the street markets and groceries in Tokyo. It’s made up of wheat flour, cabbage and squid, then deep-fried to a slight crisp, slathered with mayo and spicy sauce.
Where to get this:
Gindaco – over 300 stores all over Japan and in major cities such as Shinjuku, Shibuya and Akihabara
Takoazabu Omotesando – 3-40-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Kougaryu Shinsaibashi – 2 Chome-18-4 Nishishinsaibashi Chuo-ku, Osaka
Ramen
Obviously, you cannot not try the legit ramen when in Japan. No need for introduction on this one, and as for where to get your best fix, ramen shops are all over. Those offering the most authentic ones are hidden and can be found in the side corners of the streets and are usually greeted with long lines outside. There are fast food ramen shops too with vending machines outside wherein you’ll choose your order and get a ticket to show to the server inside the restaurant.
Tip: Slurp all you want because, in Japan, they consider that as a compliment that you find their food delicious (or should we say, oishi?)!
Also read: 10 Awesomely Strange Ramen Bowls Around the World
Where to get this:
Ichiran – (long lines, with privacy booths for you to truly enjoy authentic ramen experience) Shibuya, Harajuku, Roppongi
Setagaya – (made from fish and meat stock) 2-1-2 Nozawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo and Haneda Airport
Ramen Yashichi – 3-4-8, Toyosaki, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Menya Jouroku – Nanbasennichimae Chuo-ku Osaka Osaka (Near Namba Station)
Sushi, Sashimi, Maki
Sushi is fermented fish or seafood served with rice, Sashimi is simply just the uncooked fish and Maki is uncooked fish served with rice and other ingredients such as cucumber, mangoes, avocado, all rolled into a nori wrapper.
Where to get this:
Sukiyabashi Jiro – (3-star Michelin restaurant that is considered to be the best place in the world to get sushi) 4-2-15 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market Sushi Shops – 5 Chome-2-1, Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo
Sushiso Masa – Seven Nishiazabu B1, Nishi Azabu 4-1-15 Minato-ku
Japanese Curry
Japanese curry has that distinct taste and is different from your typical Filipino and Indian curry. Sometimes it’s served with rice, bread and even noodles.
Where to get this:
Coco Ichibanya – (yes, it’s a well-known curry shop in Japan) 3 Chome-8-5, Nishihara, Shibuya, Tokyo
Oretachi No Curry Ya – 14-13 Namba Sennichimae, Kawanichi Dai3 Bldg. 1F, Osaka
Tonkatsu
Pork cutlets dipped in flour and egg batter, coated with bread crumbs and often served with rice and cabbage, Tonkatsu is no stranger to all of us. If you’ve been to Yabu here in Manila, then you’ll have a better idea on what an authentic tonkatsu experience is like.
Where to get this:
Katsukura – 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Butagumi – 2-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo
Maisen – 4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Omote-sando exit)
Tempura
What pops into our minds is usually Ebi Tempura (shrimp tempura), but actually we also have several options that are fried to a crisp such as other seafood like squid, kani, and even mixed vegetables! It’s normally eaten with rice, served with dipping sauce and a side of ginger.
Where to get this:
Tenmatsu – 1-8-2 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Miyakawa – Palace Aoyama, 1F 6-1-6, Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Sukiyaki
Served ala hot pot style, Sukiyaki is made up of glass noodles, meat and vegetables thrown inside an iron pot, cooked with soy sauce, sugar sauce and topped off with a raw egg. It has that sweet distinct taste once you slurp on the soup, which makes it one of the comfort food dishes in Japan.
Where to get this:
Ishibashi – (one of the oldest sukiyaki restaurants in the world) 3-6-8 Sotokanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Sakuranabe Nakae Kanemura – (Watch out for the perfomances of Asakusa’s beautiful geishas!) 4-17-7 Senzoku, Taito Ward, Tokyo
Asakusa Imahan – 3-1-12 Nishiasakusa Taito Tokyo
Matcha
Matcha is a big hit here in Japan and there are several shops that serve various matcha treats from your typical cup of tea, to soft-served ice cream, chocolates and even parfait! If you’re a big fan of matcha, then you should most definitely take this opportunity to try as much as match products as you can! Tip: Royce chocolate is half the price in Japan and FYI, their Matcha Nama Chocolate is the bomb!
Where to get this:
Nakamura Tokichi Honten – (They have matcha soba, matcha tea and other matcha sweets!) Ichiban-10 Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Cha no Idekaya – (for soft-served matcha ice cream) Odakyu Ace South Bldg, 1-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
Saryo Tsujiri – (for matcha parfait) 10F, Daimaru Tokyo, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Yakitori
It’s skewered meat or vegetables, brushed with sauce and grilled to perfection. It’s perfect to eat along with an ice-cold beer or Japanese sake!
Where to get this:
Toritama – 6-22-19 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Omoide Yokocho – (Piss Alley) Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Hajimeya – Kawano Bldg 1F, 1-26-7, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tayutayu Nambasennichimaeten – 2-6-10 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Unagi
Unagi-no-Kabayaki or eel in English, is typically dipped in sweet soy sauce and then broiled over charcoal.
Where to get this:
Obana – 5-33-1 Minami-Senju, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo
Myojinshita Kandagawa – (Make reservations before coming in here) 2-5-11 Sotokanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Kawaei – (Try the unagi omelette) 1-19-16 Akabane, Kita Ward, Tokyo
Onigiri
This triangular rice balls is made up of lightly salted rice, with other ingredients like salmon, tuna and egg, then wrapped in nori. It can be found almost anywhere, even in convenience stores, and they’re very cheap!
Where to get this:
Convenience stores – Family Mart, Lawson, Sunkus, 7-Eleven
Omusubi Gonbei – 1 Chome-1-76, Akabana, Kita, Tokyo
Onigiri Yadoroku – 3-9-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo-to 111-0032
Gyoza
Pan-fried or steamed, juicy dumplings filled with ground pork, cabbage, chives and garlic, and dipped in soy sauce when eaten. It’s the Japanese counterpart of a Chinese dimsum.
Where to get this:
Harajuku Gyozaro – 6-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
Kailaku – (For huge gyozas) 1-27-2, Toshima, Tokyo
Okonomiyaki
It’s a pan-fried, savory pancake filled with cabbage, seafood or meat and other ingredients; it’s actually similar to takoyaki.
Where to get this:
Mizuno – 1 Chome-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Okonomiyaki Sometaro – 111-0035 Tokyo, Taitō, West Asakusa 2-chome 2−2
Zen – (for Monjayaki aka Hiroshima style) – 160-0022 Tōkyō-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku, 5 Chome-10
Ningyo-Yaki / Taiyaki
Ningyo-Yaki or Taiyaki is a waffle-like pastry filled with what is usually red bean paste or sometimes chocolate and even cream cheese. It comes in different shapes and sizes and is best eaten fresh after cooking.
Where to get this:
Ganso Kimuraya Ningyoyakihonpo – (oldest Ningyo-Yaki store in Asakusa) 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito, Tokyo
Naniwaya Souhoten – (They have a cafe inside) 1-8-14 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Excited to plan your Japan trip? Bookmark this article for your reference and visit The Booky Report for more posts like this! We also have a Singapore foodie guide for when you’re also planning a trip there! Enjoy!
