Introduction
Look, sushi is incredible. But if you think Japanese food begins and ends with raw fish on rice, you’re missing out on about 99% of one of the world’s most exciting food cultures.
I’ll be honest—before my first trip to Japan, I thought I knew Japanese food. Sushi, teriyaki, maybe some tempura. Boy, was I wrong. Walking through Tokyo’s backstreets at midnight, following the smell of grilled meat and savory pancakes, I realized Japanese cuisine is this massive, diverse universe that most travelers barely scratch the surface of. And that’s a shame, because some of the most memorable meals you’ll have in Japan won’t involve raw fish at all.
This guide covers 15 must-try foods in Japan that go way beyond sushi. We’re talking soul-warming ramen, crispy katsu, street food that’ll make you weak in the knees, and dishes you’ve probably never heard of but absolutely need to try. Whether you’re a foodie planning your culinary bucket list or a first-time visitor wondering what to eat, this is your ticket to eating like the locals do. Let’s dive in.
Noodle Dishes That’ll Change Your Life
1. Ramen – More Than Just College Food
Real talk: Japanese ramen bears absolutely no resemblance to those instant noodles you ate in college. We’re talking about rich, complex broths that simmer for hours, perfectly chewy noodles, and toppings that create this beautiful harmony of flavors and textures.
The four main styles you need to know are tonkotsu (creamy pork bone broth that’s almost milky white), shoyu (soy sauce-based, lighter but incredibly savory), miso (rich and slightly sweet), and shio (salt-based, the most delicate of the bunch).
Here’s what makes ramen one of the must-try foods in Japan: every region, every shop, every chef has their own spin. In Tokyo, tsukemen (dipping ramen) is huge—you dip thick, cold noodles into a concentrated hot broth. In Sapporo, they add butter and corn to miso ramen. Fukuoka’s tonkotsu is legendary.
A proper bowl costs £7-12, and you’ll find everything from hole-in-the-wall counters to Michelin-starred ramen shops. Pro tip? Slurp loudly. It’s not rude—it shows appreciation and actually cools the noodles as you eat.
2. Udon – The Comfort Food Champion
Udon noodles are thick, chewy, and ridiculously comforting. Think of them as ramen’s chiller, more laid-back cousin. These wheat noodles work in hot soups, cold preparations, or even stir-fried.
Try kitsune udon (with sweet fried tofu), tempura udon (topped with crispy tempura), or nikujaga udon (with beef and vegetables). In winter, there’s nothing better than a steaming bowl of udon on a cold Kyoto evening.
The best part? Udon is usually cheaper than ramen—around £5-8 for a satisfying bowl. And if you’re in a rush, standing udon shops near train stations serve delicious bowls in minutes.
3. Soba – The Sophisticated Noodle
Soba noodles, made from buckwheat, are thinner and nuttier than udon. They’re served cold with a dipping sauce (zaru soba) or hot in broth. Cold soba is especially refreshing during Japan’s humid summers.
What makes soba special is the craftsmanship. Fresh, hand-made soba noodles have this incredible texture and flavor that makes you understand why people dedicate their entire careers to perfecting them. You’ll find soba restaurants that have been making noodles the same way for generations.
Rice Bowls and One-Bowl Wonders
4. Donburi – The Ultimate Rice Bowl
Donburi is basically “whatever’s delicious on top of rice in a bowl,” and it’s absolute genius. Among the must-try foods in Japan, donburi offers insane variety.
Gyudon (beef bowl) is fast food done right—thinly sliced beef and onions simmered in a sweet-savory sauce over rice. Chains like Yoshinoya serve it for around £4, making it perfect for budget travelers.
Katsudon tops rice with breaded pork cutlet, egg, and onions in a slightly sweet sauce. It’s rich, comforting, and the kind of meal that sticks to your ribs in the best way.
Oyakodon translates to “parent and child bowl” (chicken and egg—dark humor, but delicious). The egg is barely set, creating this creamy, custard-like texture with the chicken and rice.
5. Curry Rice – Japan’s Adopted Comfort Classic
Japanese curry isn’t like Indian or Thai curry. It’s milder, sweeter, and thicker—more like a savory gravy. And honestly? It’s addictive.
The dish came to Japan via the British Navy in the 19th century and evolved into something uniquely Japanese. You’ll find it everywhere, from convenience stores to family restaurants to specialty curry houses.
Try katsu curry (breaded pork cutlet with curry), or go wild with curry udon (curry served over udon noodles). A decent curry rice plate costs £6-10, and many Japanese households eat it weekly. There’s even a saying: Japanese kids grow up eating their mom’s curry rice.
Grilled and Fried Favorites
6. Yakitori – Grilled Perfection on a Stick
Yakitori literally means “grilled chicken,” but it’s so much more than that. These skewers of chicken—thigh, breast, skin, liver, heart, even cartilage—are grilled over charcoal and seasoned with either salt or tare (a sweet-savory glaze).
The best yakitori experiences happen at small, smoky izakayas (Japanese pubs) where the chef grills right in front of you. You order skewers one or two at a time, pair them with cold beer, and before you know it, you’ve spent three hours and eaten a dozen skewers.
Don’t just stick to regular chicken meat. Negima (chicken and leek) is classic. Tsukune (chicken meatballs) are juicy and flavorful. Even kawa (chicken skin) becomes this crispy, fatty delicacy when grilled properly.
Expect to pay £1.50-3 per skewer, and budget around £15-25 for a full meal with drinks.
7. Tonkatsu – The Perfect Pork Cutlet
Here’s one of the must-try foods in Japan that seems simple but is actually an art form. Tonkatsu is a thick pork cutlet breaded with panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), deep-fried until golden and crispy, then sliced and served with shredded cabbage and tonkatsu sauce.
The magic is in the execution. The pork stays incredibly juicy inside while the coating achieves this impossibly light, crispy texture. It’s not greasy despite being fried. Good tonkatsu restaurants take their craft seriously—from the pork quality to the oil temperature to the breadcrumb texture.
A proper tonkatsu set meal (with rice, miso soup, and unlimited cabbage) costs £10-15. Specialty restaurants in Tokyo like those in the Shinjuku or Ueno areas are worth seeking out.
8. Karaage – Japanese Fried Chicken
If you think American fried chicken can’t be topped, Japanese karaage will make you reconsider. These bite-sized pieces of chicken are marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, coated lightly in potato starch, and fried to crispy perfection.
The result is crispier than regular fried chicken, less greasy, and packed with flavor all the way through. You’ll find karaage at izakayas, convenience stores, train station stalls, and specialty shops.
Pro tip: grab some karaage from a convenience store for train journeys. Trust me on this.
Savory Pancakes and Battered Goodness
9. Okonomiyaki – The DIY Savory Pancake
Okonomiyaki roughly translates to “grilled as you like it,” and that’s exactly what it is—a savory pancake filled with cabbage, meat or seafood, and whatever else you want, grilled on a flat top and topped with sauce, mayo, bonito flakes, and seaweed.
In Osaka and Hiroshima, okonomiyaki is practically a religion. The two cities even have completely different styles. Osaka-style mixes everything together. Hiroshima-style layers ingredients with noodles.
Many okonomiyaki restaurants let you cook your own at your table. Don’t stress if you’re not sure what you’re doing—staff will help. The whole experience is fun, interactive, and delicious. Expect to pay £8-15 per okonomiyaki.
10. Takoyaki – Crispy Octopus Balls
These spherical fritters filled with diced octopus are Osaka’s gift to street food. The batter is creamy inside, crispy outside, and topped with takoyaki sauce, mayo, bonito flakes, and seaweed.
Watching a takoyaki master work is mesmerizing. They pour batter into special molded pans, add octopus pieces, and flip them with picks at lightning speed until each ball is perfectly golden.
Six pieces cost around £4-6, making takoyaki an affordable snack while exploring. The best takoyaki happens at street stalls and small shops, not fancy restaurants.
Hotpot and Communal Dining
11. Shabu-Shabu – The Interactive Hotpot
Shabu-shabu is named after the swishing sound you make when you dip thin slices of meat in boiling broth. This hotpot experience involves cooking your own meat and vegetables at the table in flavorful broth.
The ritual is simple but satisfying: grab a slice of beef with chopsticks, swish it in the broth for a few seconds (seriously, that’s all it takes), then dip in ponzu or sesame sauce. Follow with vegetables, tofu, and noodles.
Among the must-try foods in Japan, shabu-shabu offers a social, leisurely dining experience perfect for groups. Prices range from £20 for basic set menus to £60+ for premium beef like wagyu.
12. Sukiyaki – The Sweet-Savory Hotpot
Sukiyaki is shabu-shabu’s sweeter cousin. Thin beef slices simmer in a sweet soy-based broth with vegetables, tofu, and noodles. The traditional way involves dipping cooked ingredients in raw beaten egg before eating.
I know, raw egg sounds weird. But it cools the hot ingredients and adds this rich, creamy texture that makes sense once you try it. That said, you can skip the egg if you’re uncomfortable with it.
Sukiyaki is winter comfort food at its finest, perfect for cold evenings in Tokyo or Kyoto.
Street Food Essentials
13. Taiyaki – Fish-Shaped Sweet Treats
Taiyaki are fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste, custard, chocolate, or even savory fillings like curry. The batter is crispy outside and cake-like inside.
You’ll find taiyaki vendors near temples, train stations, and shopping streets. They’re best eaten fresh and hot, straight from the mold. At around £1.50-2 each, they’re an affordable sweet treat while sightseeing.
14. Imagawayaki (Dorayaki’s Cousin)
These thick, round pancake sandwiches filled with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate are sold at street stalls and festivals. They’re less famous than other must-try foods in Japan, but locals love them.
The texture is softer than taiyaki, more like a fluffy pancake. They’re typically £1-2 and make great on-the-go snacks.
The Underrated Hero
15. Onigiri – Rice Balls Done Right
Saving the best for last? Maybe. Onigiri are triangular rice balls wrapped in seaweed with various fillings—salmon, tuna mayo, pickled plum, or grilled cod roe.
What makes onigiri special isn’t complexity—it’s simplicity perfected. The rice is seasoned just right, the filling provides a burst of flavor, and the seaweed adds a crispy, briny element.
Convenience store onigiri are shockingly good and cost around £1-1.50. They’re perfect for picnics, train rides, or quick meals. The packaging is ingeniously designed to keep the seaweed crispy until you’re ready to eat.
Don’t underestimate these humble rice balls. They’re a daily staple for millions of Japanese people for good reason.
Where to Find These Must-Try Foods in Japan
The beauty of Japanese food culture is that amazing meals exist at every price point and location. Some tips for food hunting:
Department store food halls (depachika) in basements of stores like Mitsukoshi or Takashimaya offer incredible prepared foods and samples.
Train station food courts serve quick, quality meals perfect between destinations.
Local restaurants in residential areas often beat tourist-heavy spots for authenticity and value.
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Family Mart, Lawson) have surprisingly delicious options for budget travelers.
Food festivals and street markets offer chances to try multiple dishes in one location.
Don’t be intimidated by restaurants with only Japanese menus. Point at photos or plastic food displays, or use Google Translate’s camera function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these must-try foods in Japan expensive? Not really! Street foods and casual dishes range from £1-10, while sit-down meals cost £8-20. You can eat incredibly well in Japan on a modest budget. Convenience store meals offer amazing quality for £3-5, and even Michelin-rated ramen shops charge under £15.
Q: What if I have dietary restrictions? Japan is getting better with dietary accommodations, but it can be challenging. Vegetarians will find options but should learn phrases like “niku nashi” (no meat). Vegans face more difficulty as dashi (fish-based stock) is everywhere. Gluten-free is tough due to soy sauce, but specialized restaurants exist in major cities.
Q: Do I need to tip at Japanese restaurants? No! Tipping isn’t customary and can actually be considered rude. Service charges are included in prices. Simply pay your bill and thank the staff. In fact, leaving money on the table might result in staff chasing you down to return it.
Q: How do I order at restaurants with no English menus? Most restaurants display plastic food models outside or have picture menus. Point at what looks good. Download Google Translate app with offline Japanese for camera translation. Staff will often help you figure it out—Japanese hospitality is legendary, even with language barriers.
Q: Can I find halal food in Japan? Major cities like Tokyo and Osaka have halal restaurants, but options are limited compared to Western countries. Look for restaurants certified by halal organizations. Many Indian and Turkish restaurants cater to Muslim travelers. Apps like Halal Gourmet Japan help locate halal-friendly options.
Conclusion
Japanese cuisine is this incredible journey that goes so far beyond sushi. These 15 must-try foods in Japan represent just a fraction of what’s out there, but they’ll give you a solid foundation for eating your way through the country like a local.
The best part? You don’t need a massive budget or fancy restaurants to eat phenomenally well in Japan. Some of my most memorable meals came from £5 bowls at standing ramen counters or £2 onigiri from convenience stores. Japanese food culture respects quality at every level.
So when you’re planning your Japan trip, leave room in your itinerary—and your stomach—for culinary adventures. Try things you’ve never heard of. Eat at that tiny restaurant with no English sign. Order the mystery dish from the picture menu. You might discover your new favorite food halfway around the world.
Now stop reading and start planning your food tour. Japan’s waiting, and trust me—you’re going to eat really, really well.
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