Visiting Japan for the first time and not sure what foods to try? In this post, we’ll go over some of the best Japanese food to try in Tokyo (and beyond). It will go over must-try snacks, meals, and drinks you should definitely taste before leaving!
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I think you’ll agree with me when I say finding food in a foreign country can be hard, especially for a foodie! You want to try everything but…you don’t know where to start. What do you order? How do you order? Or, perhaps you order something, but when it arrives, you aren’t sure how to eat it!
Eating out in Japan can actually be simple, and so delicious. Whether you’d like to grab something quick or sit down for a meal, this post has got you covered!
If you’re a Japan foodie, or just looking to grab something to eat, consider these 10 mouthwatering foods when visiting Japan that will satisfy you and having you craving more.
Best Japanese Food to Try in Tokyo: Snacks
Sometimes you need something small to get you through the day without sitting down and taking time away from touring. These are hassle-free foods you can eat on the go.
1. Onigiri
Onigiri are Japanese rice balls typically in a round or triangular shape. They are made with steamed rice and wrapped in seaweed. They come in many different varieties, including plain, salmon, tuna, pickled plum, and more.
Onigiri are served warm or cold, which make them perfect for a quick snack during the day. You can find them in specialty shops or at any convenience store.
2. KaraAge
Karaage is a Japanese fried chicken. While you’re out and about, you can sometimes find it sold on a stick from small shops and stands. Just be sure to hold onto your trash when you’re done eating!
While chicken is the most common, you can actually find other meats or even vegetables fried in a similar style. If you’re looking for something warm and crispy, give karaage a try!
3. Curry Bread
Are you a fan of bread? What about curry? Then this is the snack for you! Curry bread is delicious snack consisting of a light fluffy bread surrounding a curry filling that is deep fried to a golden perfection.
You can find these at local bakeries or convenience stores. Careful, when they’re fresh, they’re hot!
Best Japanese Food to Try In tokyo:Meals
4. Ramen
Ramen is a Japanese style noodle soup. There are several different bases for the soup, including Shoyu (soy sauce), Shio (salt), Miso (soybean paste), and Tonkotsu (pork). However, you may find all sorts of varieties and combinations as you travel around!
A typical bowl of ramen is flavorful, filling, and relatively inexpensive. It’s also easy to find! If you’re a new traveler, look around for a ramen shop to try this savory meal. I got this from a small ramen shop near Senso-ji.
5. Katsu
Another delicious Japanese food is katsu. Katsu is a Japanese dish consisting of chicken covered in bread crumbs and deep fried. It’s often served with rice, cabbage, and miso soup. This is one of my favorite Japanese foods due to its simple yet addicting flavors. Sometimes, I even can’t resist getting it when I order curry!
So, if you would like to try it with pork instead of chicken, look for “tonkatsu”.
6. Curry
Curry is one of my personal favorite foods to eat in Japan. Served with rice, this thick, savory curry sauce often has vegetables or meat mixed in. It’s the perfect dish to help you relax and warm up after a long day in the rain.
This photo shows a picture of curry served with katsu from Coco Curry House (a chain restaurant), but you can find it in local shops, as well.
Check out more food photos, including this curry, here!
Best Japanese Food to Try in Tokyo: Dessert
7. Ice Cream
Ice cream is truly an international dish…you can find it almost anywhere! Take a break and grab an ice cream on a hot day or grab one as a sweet treat after a meal. One of my personal favorite Japanese desserts is the delicious, viral Cremia ice cream because of its crunchy cookie cone!
Cremia is found in several locations around Tokyo, as well as several other places. For example, you can find it in Kamakura (a day trip from Tokyo), outside Todai-ji Daibutsuden (Nara), and Nishiki Market (Kyoto). It is a little pricier than other ice cream, but I thought it was worth the try!
8. Cream Puff
Next up, we have soft and fluffy cream puffs! This is perfect if you’re looking for something light and fluffy. These cream puffs consist of a soft bread filled with a sweet cream.
You can try cream puffs in all sorts of flavors, including chocolate and strawberry. Sometimes, you can even find them in cute shapes! I tried one from the chain “Beard Papa” but you can get them from local bakeries, as well.
9. Mitarashi Dango
If you are looking for something sweet, but not too sweet, give Mitarashi Dango a try! These little rice dumplings are both a little savory and a little sweet. They are served on a stick and drizzled in a thick soy and sugar sauce.
I bought these from a shop on Komachi Street (in Kamakura, a day trip from Tokyo), but you can find these relatively inexpensive snacks all over, including outside temples or during festivals. Let me know what you think!
Best Japanese Food to Try in Tokyo: Brunch
10. Soufflé Pancakes
Of all the foods I’ve tried in Japan, these soufflé pancakes definitely made my top 5! Light and fluffy, they aren’t too sweet. I got the strawberries and cream flavor. However, there are so many options to pick from!
There are so many places you can find these around Tokyo. For example, I got mine from a chain called Flippers. Click here to learn more about it!
In this post, we went over some delicious Japanese food to try in Tokyo (as well as other cities and locations). Sweet or savory, no matter the time of day, Japan has incredible food options to try. Let me know if you end up tasting any, and if so, which were your favorites!
Let me know in the comments what your favorite Japanese food is so I can try it for next time!
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