Planning a trip to Japan and wondering what to eat? This guide covers the best Japanese dishes you absolutely have to try while you’re there. From traditional favorites to street food and sweet treats, Japan’s cuisine is packed with flavor, variety, and unforgettable experiences.
Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re coming back for more, this list will help you discover the must-try dishes loved by locals and travelers alike. Ready to find out what to eat in Japan? Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
1. Sushi
When you think of Japan and Japanese food, sushi is the first thing that comes to mind, right?
Sushi (寿司) is prepared with cold, mildly soured rice and is complemented by other ingredients such as raw or smoked fish, raw seafood, vegetables, and nori (dried seaweed). There are various types of sushi, including salmon, maguro (tuna), amaebi (raw shrimp), and maki sushi, which is filled with cucumber, for example.
2. Sashimi
The next fish dish is sashimi (刺身). Many people think it’s synonymous with sushi, but that’s not true! Sashimi is served without rice and simply refers to raw, filleted fish. This piece of fish fillet is often dipped in fresh wasabi or soy sauce.
For sashimi, only a specific cut of fillet is used—one could say “the best part of the fish.” The cut also differs significantly from sushi.
3. Yakiniku
Yakiniku (焼肉) simply translates to “grilled meat.” The meat is cut into very thin slices and cooked on a special Japanese-style grill. There are many yakiniku restaurants in Japan. When you order there, you’ll be served the raw ingredients—meaning meat and vegetables—on a plate, which you then prepare yourself on the grill at your table. Highly recommended!
4. Okonomiyaki
This Japanese dish is a specialty from the Kansai region. Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) are savory pancakes cooked on a teppan , a griddle, at the table. The basic ingredients are quite simple: cabbage, flour, egg, water, and dashi are mixed together and fried at the table with other toppings of your choice. Finally, mayonnaise, katsuobushi , and a special okonomiyaki sauce are added.
Whether Osaka-style or Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki – both taste delicious!
5. Takoyaki
We’ll stick with the specialties of the Kansai region and next look at the Japanese dish takoyaki (たこ焼き). Takoyaki are simply “octopus balls,” with small pieces of octopus meat inside the dough ball. Another street food classic that you can find everywhere.
Finally, the takoyaki are spread with a sweet/savory sauce and served with mayonnaise, aonori seaweed, and katsuobushi flakes .
6. Ramen
Everyone loves delicious noodle soups, or ramen (ラーメン), which are among the most important dishes in Japan. n Japan, you can find ramen restaurants everywhere, and some regions even have their own ramen recipe. In Hokkaido, it’s miso ramen, while in Tokyo, it’s shoyu ramen (broth seasoned with soy sauce).
Ramen noodles are made from wheat flour, salt, water, and kansui (alkaline water). Other ingredients include meat and fish, vegetables, nori , wakame , and half-cooked eggs.
7. Yakisoba
A festival in Japan without yakisoba (焼そば) is almost impossible! This delicious dish, which we mostly know as fried noodles, tastes incredibly delicious. It’s quick and easy to prepare and doesn’t require much effort. This noodle dish, made with various vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and meat, is a popular street food dish. If you visit a summer festival in Japan , you’ll definitely find a food stand selling yakisoba.
8. Dango
You may have encountered this dish in many anime series. Three round balls that look like mochi and are skewered on a wooden skewer are called dango (だんご). You can find dango in Japan year-round, but you’ll likely encounter one or two more often at different times of the year.
9. Mochi
Another sweet dish I like is mochi. These are Japanese rice cakes made from sticky rice. Mochi are traditionally eaten at New Year’s . I highly recommend the mochi with anko (sweet bean paste) filling!
10. Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki (すき焼き) is a stew dish and is therefore popular in winter. The ingredients for sukiyaki are thinly sliced beef and lots of vegetables! Mix everything with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin , then cook it all. Before eating, the ingredients are dipped in a bowl of beaten egg. A perfect winter meal.
11. Melonpan
You’ve probably heard of this sweet pastry before. The round bun looks like a melon on the outside, which is why it’s called a melonpan, or “melon bun.” It’s covered in crispy cookie dough, but the inside is very soft. Some melonpan also have a filling inside.
12. Japanese Cake
Be sure to treat yourself to a piece of cake in Japan! I’ve visited many pastry shops and bakeries, and I’m surprised by how diverse each shop is. I keep seeing cakes and tarts I’ve never seen before, and I’ve never been disappointed by the taste. The selection is huge.
13. Daifuku
You’ve probably heard of this Japanese dessert before. Daifuku (大福) is made from glutinous rice flour. The outer layer is mochi and very soft. The inside is always filled with something like anko (sweet bean paste), matcha, strawberry, or other fruit fillings.
14. Yatsuhashi
If you’ve been to Kyoto, you’ve probably encountered the delicious sweet yatsuhashi . A popular omiyage (souvenir) and local delicacy from Japan’s ancient capital, yatsuhashi comes in two main varieties: the hard-baked “cinnamon cookies” and the “raw” variety, made from steamed mochi and filled with anko. The classic flavor is cinnamon, but other variations also exist.
15. Taiyaki
Taiyaki is a fish-shaped pastry usually filled with anko . Other fillings include vanilla cream, chocolate, or matcha cream.
16. Kakigori
The delicious Japanese ice cream dessert kakigōri (かき氷) consists of shaved ice, syrup, and sometimes condensed milk. The frozen ice is cut into tiny pieces using a special ice cream maker and shaved into fine flakes. The ice is then placed in a bowl and served with various toppings. Matcha, strawberry, or Blue Hawaii kakigōri? The selection is vast, and it’s a definite hit in Japan during the summer .
17. Nabemono
Nabemono, or nabe (なべ), is a stew popular in Japan during the fall and winter. All sorts of vegetables are added to the stew, such as shiitake mushrooms, carrots, daikon , Chinese cabbage, and leeks. All of this is cooked in a special broth, such as soy milk, miso, or dashi, and is best enjoyed with the whole family. A very healthy and warming dish, perfect for the colder season.
18. Onigiri
Onigiri are known to us as rice balls. Whether round or square, these practical rice bites come with thousands of fillings, both sweet and savory. Onigiri are at least as common in Japan as sandwiches are here.
19. Inari Sushi
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, Inari Sushi is perfect for you. This type of sushi consists of a tofu parcel filled with rice. Other ingredients include mushrooms, carrots, or tsukemono (pickled vegetables). The taste is surprisingly sweet, and Inari Sushi is one of my favorite dishes in Japan.
20. Bento Box
A bento box is a lunch box with multiple compartments. The main course contains either rice or noodles. Other ingredients include vegetables, fish, or meat dishes. Not only delicious, but also visually appealing. Mothers, in particular, prepare these lunch boxes for their children with particular dedication, so many bento boxes are beautifully decorated.
The supermarket or konbini also has a huge selection of bento boxes! If you’re hungry and can’t find a restaurant quickly, grab a lunch box. You won’t be disappointed.
21. Natto
Nattō are soybeans traditionally wrapped in rice straw and left to ferment for several days. The fermentation process gives the beans a strong aroma and a stringy, slimy mucilage forms. It doesn’t sound very appetizing, does it? But give this dish a try, because it’s very healthy!
22. Shabu Shabu
Shabu-shabu is a dish similar to sukiyaki, also prepared with vegetables, tofu, and meat in a mild, seasoned broth. Very thin pieces of meat are dipped into the broth and tossed until cooked (about 10-20 seconds).
The meat is then dipped in a sauce (usually ponzu or sesame) before being eaten with some other cooked ingredients. The name “shabu shabu” is an onomatopoeic word for the sound made during the preparation of the dish.
23. Miso Soup
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese breakfast staple. However, the Japanese enjoy it not only for breakfast; it is an integral part of Japanese cuisine, no matter what meal you choose. If you order a set meal at a restaurant, miso soup is usually included.
The base for miso soup is fish broth (Japanese: dashi = 出汁). Other ingredients include miso (a paste made from fermented soybeans), seaweed, tofu, spring onions, and other vegetables such as eggplant, leeks, sweet potatoes, or carrots. This vitamin-rich and healthy miso soup is also very low in calories—and not to mention incredibly delicious.
24. Soft ice cream
Anyone who’s ever been to Japan knows how many different types of soft serve ice cream there are. The strangest soft serve I’ve tried was the wasabi soft serve at the Daio Wasabi Farm in Nagano. Yes, it really did have wasabi in it! ^_~
Other curious flavors that exist but I haven’t tried yet include lavender, rose, and shirasu (small sardines).
25. Senbei
Senbei, Japanese rice crackers, are a great souvenir and a delicious snack. They come in various shapes, sizes, and, of course, flavors. I like the soy and nori (seaweed) flavors the most. Be sure to try them!
26. Matcha
Matcha (抹茶) is ground green tea and very popular in Japan. You can find matcha in all sorts of products, from coffee (matcha latte), to matcha donuts, matcha ice cream, matcha cakes, and much more. The list could go on forever…
27. Japanese Curry
Known in Japan as karē or karē raisu , this Japanese curry dish is different from the Indian and Thai varieties. Japanese curry has a sweeter flavor and a thicker consistency. It is also prepared like a stew and eaten with white rice. There are even restaurants that specialize in curry dishes, called karē-ya.
28. Gyoza
Gyōza (餃子) are crispy dumplings, usually filled with meat or vegetables. You often find them as a side dish to ramen or as a main course in izakaya (Japanese pubs). The crescent-shaped dumplings are often seasoned with soy sauce.
29. Kaiseki Ryouri
If you want to experience a fine dining experience in Japan, Kaiseki Ryori is perfect for you. The meal consists of traditional dishes and several courses. Even the tableware is stylish, and the dishes are served with aesthetic appeal and decorated with flowers, such as real flowers.
Kaiseki can be enjoyed in specialized restaurants or in ryokan (Japanese-style inns).
30. Tempura
If you love crispy foods, tempura is perfect for you. Tempura (天ぷら) consists of various fish and vegetables coated in flour and egg batter, deep-fried in hot oil. You then dip the fried vegetables (e.g., eggplant or sweet potato) or deep-fried shrimp in the tsuyu dip and enjoy.
31. Yakitori
One of the most common street foods in Japan is yakitori (焼鳥), meaning “grilled chicken,” although this also includes grilled fish, beef, pork, or vegetables on skewers. Traditionally, however, yakitori consists of pieces of chicken and vegetables. The dish is seasoned with salt and a special sauce made with mirin, rice wine, and soy sauce. You can enjoy yakitori in restaurants or at festivals, such as the Hanabi Festival in the summer.
32. Tofu
In Japan tofu is an integral part of Japanese cuisine and an important source of protein.
Tofu is made from white soybeans. The resulting soy curd is then drained and finally pressed into blocks. Soft silken tofu is popular in Japan, but the somewhat firmer sponge tofu is also popular.
33. Curry Pan
In addition to Japanese curry, curry pan (Japanese: kare pan = カレーパン) is another popular Japanese dish. Curry pan is simply a curry-filled bun, but with a super crispy exterior! The bun is first coated in breadcrumbs and then deep-fried. You can find this delicious bun in almost all bakeries, but also in konbini like 7 Eleven.
34. Udon
One of the three main types of noodles eaten in Japan is udon (うどん). Udon are thick, chewy noodles traditionally made from wheat flour and salted water. Kagawa Prefecture is known in Japan as “Udon Country” because nowhere else is as much udon produced and consumed as in Kagawa.
Udon is often served with tempura as a side dish, such as various fried vegetables, fried sweet potatoes, or ebifurai . Popular udon dishes include kitsune udon , tempura udon , or tsukimi udon .
35. Kobe Beef or Wagyu
Possibly the best and most expensive beef in the world is Kobe beef, or Wagyu . What makes this meat special is its marbling of fat, which makes it extremely tender. Once you try the meat, you’ll notice it melting in your mouth. It’s incredibly delicious and, in my opinion, a must-try on any trip to Japan—even if it’s expensive.
36. Edamame
Green edamame are young soybeans and a popular snack in restaurants and izakaya (Japanese pubs). Before serving, the edamame are briefly blanched and then lightly salted.
37. Japanese croquettes
Croquettes are a popular street food dish in Japan. These croquettes, known as korokke (コロッケ) in Japanese, are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re sometimes even available with fillings like cheese or wasabi. If you like potatoes and fried foods, you should try these!
38. Tamago Kake Gohan
Mix a raw egg, a little soy sauce, and a bowl of rice together – and you’ve conjured up a Japanese dish – Tamago kake gohan (卵かけご飯). It’s spiced up with finely chopped spring onions and sesame seeds. This dish is often served as part of a traditional Japanese breakfast .
39. Gyūdon
The Japanese dish Gyūdon (牛丼) is a bowl of rice topped with boiled beef and onions. The mildly sweet sauce consists of the rice wine mirin and soy sauce.
40. Unagi
Unagi (freshwater eel) is especially popular in Kawagoe . A dish made with unagi is called unaju (鰻重). The fried eel is served over rice with a special sauce.
41. Omurice
A very delicious Japanese dish is omurice (Japanese: omuraisu = オムライス). It’s an omelet filled with rice, vegetables, and meat (usually chicken). At the end, a little ketchup is added to the dish.
42. Fried Shrimp
In Japan, fried shrimp are called ebifurai . You’ll usually find this dish in bento boxes or as part of a restaurant menu. If you like seafood, you should definitely try ebifurai.
43. Dorayaki
Dorayaki (どら焼き) consists of two small pancakes with a red bean paste ( azuki ) filling between them. The filling can vary depending on the region or season, such as matcha, chestnut, or pumpkin.
44. Warabimochi
This Japanese sweet has a jelly-like consistency and is shaped like small dumplings. It is covered with kinako , a special flour made from soybeans.
45. Somen
Somen (素麺) are very fine noodles that are often served chilled – especially in summer . The noodles are seasoned with grated ginger, finely chopped spring onions, cucumbers, various mushrooms, and nori . The sauce is a mix of soy sauce and dashi called tsuyu .
46. Oshiruko
The dessert oshiruko (汁粉), also known as zenzai , is a soup with azuki beans and roasted mochi. The beans can be either whole or pureed. It is most popular during the winter months, as it is eaten warm.
47. Fugu
Finally, I’d like to introduce you to fugu – a popular specialty made from pufferfish. In Japan, only licensed chefs master the art and expertise of its preparation. It’s strictly regulated, and only qualified chefs are allowed to serve this delicacy. Pufferfish is often prepared as wafer-thin sashimi , fried as fugu karaage , or cooked in a stew.
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