JAPAN is a fascinating destination — not only for culture and lifestyle, but also for food.
Japanese cuisine is an art form. It offers a diverse yet unique range of dishes, from traditional ramen and sushi to omurice and fusion pasta.
These dishes, paired with the country’s unique dining experiences, make Japan one of the most sought-after food havens in the world.
Here is a guide to help you get started:
1. Okonomiyaki and takoyaki
These two dishes are available in most regions of Japan, but are especially popular in Osaka. It is said that okonomiyaki and takoyaki originated from here.
Okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake consisting of thick flour batter grilled with meat, vegetables and other ingredients.
Takoyaki also uses a flour batter, but is grilled on a special iron plate with many small round bases, resulting in ball-shaped snacks that are about 3-4 cm in diameter.
Each takoyaki is filled with pieces of tako (octopus), giving it a nice, chewy texture.
No matter which part of Osaka, you can easily find okonomiyaki and takoyaki in shopping districts, izakayas (Japanese pubs), restaurants and food streets.
2. Izakaya dining
An Izakaya is a casual Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks — the meaning of izakaya is “stay, drink, place”.
It is a common spot for people to meet up after work or hang out with friends and enjoy a few beers, but it is also a place for good food.
Dining at izakayas is a whole other experience in itself — enjoy homey comfort food with beer, sake and plum wine offerings in a small cosy setup, where everyone will be seated closely.
You can find izakayas in nearly every corner of Japanese cities and towns, and each with something different to offer.
3. Sushi and seafood
Sushi and seafood are a must when visiting Japan.
No matter the prefecture, you can easily find fresh sushi and seafood in fish markets and restaurants.
A must-try is freshwater eel, or unagi. It is skewered, broiled, steamed, covered in a sweet soy sauce and then broiled again. It can be enjoyed on its own or served over rice.
If you’re looking for a wide variety of sushi offerings, consider eating at a kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi), an affordable and convenient sushi restaurant that serves standard and seasonal items all day long.
For something fried, tempura is not to be missed. It’s a typical Japanese dish usually consisting of seafood like prawns and fish as well as vegetables like eggplant and pumpkin that have been battered and deep fried.
4. Ramen
Different varieties of ramen can be found in every corner of Japan.
In Hokkaido, you can find Sapporo ramen, which is noodles in miso broth and traditional Asahikawa ramen, noodles cooked in a shoyu (soy sauce) base and served with plenty of lard. There is also the classic Hakodate ramen, which features a clear soup known for its umami flavour.
In Tokyo, you can find ramen everywhere, from hole-in-the-wall joints outside major train stations to bigger, international establishments. The city mainly specialises in shoyu-based ramen, often rich with dashi, as well as chicken, pork or vegetable stock.
These food recommendations barely scratch the surface of Japan’s extensive food culture. Learn more about Japanese cuisine here.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
