Japanese cuisine is nothing if not authentic. Many of its signature dishes have been around for centuries, unchanged by cultural shifts or global food trends. Like nowhere else on Earth, Japan has resisted globalisation when it comes to gastronomy, with local people holding true to an age-old diet that favours seasonal, super-fresh produce over fatty, preserved foods imported from overseas.
Famously nutritious Japanese food may be, but it’s also vibrant, colourful and utterly delicious. And make no mistake, there are still indulgences to be had here, with deep-fried street eats and mouth-watering desserts tempting even the most health-conscious of travellers towards sheer gluttony.
If you’re a great lover of Asian cuisine, you’ll be swept away by the tastes and flavours of Japan. Here, we explore some of the country’s must-try dishes, from classic ramen to delicious yakitori.
Japanese food is as diverse as it is seasonal, with a spectacular array of local flavours to discover. Below, we’ve put together a guide to the country’s most famous dishes, so you have an idea of what to look out for on the menu.
Of the countless plates synonymous with Japanese culture, ramen is the most popular and widely-available – so it’s impossible to miss wherever you travel across the nation. Despite being Japan’s bread-and-butter dish, ramen actually hails from China, and was imported to the country via the port of Osaka centuries ago. Several variations of ramen exist, including Shoyu (soy sauce), Shio (salt), Miso (soybean paste) and Tonkotsu (pork bone), and the dish is normally accompanied by a choice of toppings, such as braised pork, bamboo shoots, sliced greens and an egg. Forget fancy restaurants when looking for ramen, because the best places to find it are the affordable ramen-ya eateries scattered across Japan.
A street food favourite in the historic city of Osaka, takoyaki really is a morsel of pure flavour for seafood lovers, its name literally translating as ‘grilled octopus’. This unique street eat comprises of slices of grilled octopus combined with a filling of pickled ginger and green onion, formed into small balls and individually deep fried. Even if you’re no great fan of octopus, it’s a joy to watch it being made, with the local vendors of Osaka’s Dotonbori neighbourhood using a traditional technique passed down through the generations. You’ll find takoyaki sellers throughout Osaka, and we think it’s an unmissable dish that perfectly captures the coastal spirit of the city.
Traditional Japanese Teppanyaki is as close as food gets to theatre. There are few greater culinary pleasures than taking your seat in a teppanyaki restaurant, with the open kitchen acting as the chef’s stage for the evening. Whether you order a grilled fish noodle dish or a sizzling platter of soy-soaked pork, expect a colourful display as your meal is cooked and prepared with gusto before your eyes. Teppanyaki harks back to Japan’s ceremonial legacy, with the process of creating something as important as the final result. Osaka is arguably the capital of teppanyaki cuisine in Japan, so seek it out on your visit for a real culinary extravaganza.
While Japan’s most-famous signature dishes may be universally savoury, many people are surprised by the quantity of sweet treats on offer throughout the country. From Kyoto to Osaka, local people are partial to all things sugary, be it cakes or crepes, mochi or dango.
Here to tell us more about Japan’s collective love for desserts is Emma, founder of food and lifestyle blog, Supper in the Suburbs. Emma is a self-confessed obsessive when it comes to Japanese fare, and here she fills us in on what makes the country’s sweet treats so tempting:
“One part of Japanese cuisine that is often forgotten about is the sweeter side. From sugary breakfast treats to delicious desserts and sweet snacks, there are tonnes of confections to choose from. Traditionally these are made with rice and sweet red beans (mochi, daifuku) but, as Japan continues to be influenced by the west, fusions like souffle cheesecakes, crepes and fruit sandos (fruity sandwiches) are becoming increasingly popular!
“One of the most exciting things about Japanese puddings are the combinations of flavours - salted caramel and miso is an unexpected but moreish pairing, yuzu and blueberry is much more classic combo, and of course you have to have matcha flavoured desserts too!
“As with most food in Japan puddings and other sweets are beautifully prepared. They are often a real work of art.”
However adventurous you are when it comes to sampling local cuisine, you can dip your toe or dive right in with Scenic. Our luxury escorted tours in Japan offer an all-encompassing experience of this beautiful country, with a handful of special Scenic Enrich and Scenic Freechoice dining events providing the perfect introduction to Japan’s legendary gastronomy.
Whether you want to sample fresh sushi, seek out unusual street food or explore places integral to local life, like Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the choice is yours with Scenic. To learn more about our unforgettable escorted tours in Japan, download our latest Asia and the Far East touring brochure or call us on 0808 274 5893.