WHAT TO EAT IN JAPAN - 6 FOODS YOU MUST TRY

Some people come to Japan for ancient history, some people come for the beautiful culture and some people come for the amazing food.

Japanese food is really like no other, they pride themselves on traditional authentic, fresh food. In every city, on nearly every street there is something delicious to try. There are in fact so many foods to try that it can almost be a little overwhelming.

So, what to eat in Japan?

Now, I would suggest trying as much as you can when you are in Japan but in this post, I’m going to share with you the ‘6 Foods You Must Try’ whilst you are there.

If this post makes you hungry and you want to find out where to go, check out ‘Where To Find The Best Food In Japan’.

Ramen

One of the most popular foods in Japan is Ramen. You can find a good Ramen restaurant clinging to practically every street corner in Japan. This broth-style dish is comprised of noodles, meat and tons of flavour. It is a hearty meal that you can enjoy at any point in the day, and it is especially warming in the winter months.

Beef

Wagyu, Kobe, Matsusaka to name but a few are all popular types of beef in Japan. No trip to Japan would be complete without a taste of one of the popular cuts of meat. You can find it served in popular markets as well as in some of the best restaurants.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki is one of the most popular street foods in Japan. Diced octopus is encased in a crust of crispy batter and topped with sauce, pickled ginger and onions. The assembling of a plate of Takoyaki is a true art form.

Sushi

As Japan is a series of islands, it is quite rightly famed for its seafood and some of the best will find its way onto your plate in the form of sushi. No sushi in the world can compare to the fresh sushi you find in Japan. If you love sushi then this should be high on your list.

Yakitori Chicken

If you think you have eaten good chicken before then I'm sorry, but you are probably mistaken. Yakitori chicken will make you re-evaluate all your previous poultry experience. You may protest "but I can eat chicken anywhere," but believe me when I say that this is the best chicken ever! The marinated chicken is grilled on a bbq and is packed with flavour and blessed with a soft and tender texture.

Gyoza

Juicy on the inside and crispy and golden brown on the outside these pan fried dumplings are a great addition to any meal. They are usually filled with pork, but there are countless flavours added here in Japan to make these some of the tastiest gyoza in the world.

Believe me when I tell you that this was just a small selection of what I ate during my time in Japan. There are countless other dishes that you should also try but if you are a little overwhelmed by the scale of Japanese food culture then these ‘6 foods you must try’ is a great place to start.