Beginners Guide to Food in Japan for first time visitors
Japan’s unique and diverse cuisine can be intimidating for first time visitors. Unadventurous eaters might experience a little anxiety when thinking about ordering Japanese food in Tokyo for the very first time. If you find yourself in this category, we’ve got you covered with this beginners guide to food in Japan.
We would argue that food is the reason to visit Japan.
However, for those unfamiliar with Japanese food culture, the idea of eating at restaurants in Japan might feel daunting. What do you order? How do you order? Do you tip in Japan? I remember feeling quite confused on our first trip to Japan; not being able to read Japanese characters didn’t help.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long before we started to feel comfortable.
We quickly turned our anxiety into curiousity. Sure, we sampled a few items that we will likely not order again (I’m talking to you, horumonyaki ), but we also discovered new foods and flavours that have forever changed our palate.
Most restaurants in high traffic areas will have food photos on the menu, plastic replicas in the windows, and/or English menus; so you’ll be fine even if you can’t read, speak or understand Japanese.
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Readers note – we visited Japan prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. We recommend you do further research before your trip to Japan. Some of the Japan restaurants referenced in this blog post may have paused service, which might impact some recommendations.
Visit the Japan travel advisory for coronavirus updates here .
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The perfect 3 day Tokyo itinerary for first time visitors
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15 things to do in Kobe, Japan
Let’s start with the most popular food in Japan for tourists
Given that this post is written with the first time visitor in mind, let’s start with the most popular Japanese cuisine for tourists. Below is a detailed list of Japanese food you should try in Japan.
1. Sushi
Sushi is arguably the most famous food in Japan. At least, it is for tourists.
Without question, sushi is a big part of Japanese cuisine. You will find a variety of sushi shops in Japan, so you will have plenty of options.
If you’re not familiar with sushi, the thought of eating raw fish wrapped in thin sheets of seaweed might feel completely foreign and unsettling. You might even think that eating sushi is a big stretch for you. That’s okay, you’re not alone.
I think most people remember the first time they tried raw fish.
I know I do. It was a tuna sushi roll (tekka maki) at a small Japanese restaurant in North Vancouver. I had a mental block that prevented me from embracing the concept of raw fish. I wasn’t a fan of the texture or flavour, but it wasn’t as bad as I had built it up in my mind.
Now, years later, I can’t get enough sushi. I’m pretty sure we eat sushi at least once per week.
As one might expect, sushi tastes better in Japan. The fish is fresh and tasty and the sushi is prepared with a meticulous precision.
Travel tip – visit a Japanese restaurant in your hometown before you travel to Japan. Familiarize yourself with the menu and sample a few items. Let your curiousity run wild. This way, you have the advantage of reading the menu in English. Once you’ve seen and tried a few items, you’ll be much more comfortable with the food in Japan.
What sushi should you try first?
Sushi refers to any dish made with Japanese rice that’s seasoned with rice vinegar.
Sushi rolls are called maki or makizushi. Fresh fish and/or vegetables are wrapped with Japanese rice and a dried seaweed sheet (nori). The most common sushi rolls in Japan are salmon rolls, tuna rolls (tekka maki), unagi (freshwater eel), cucumber (kappa maki), f ermented soybean (Natto Maki) and f utomaki sushi rolls.
Here is list of useful sushi terms you should know before your visit to Japan.
Nigiri sushi are bite-sized mounds of sushi rice topped with slices of raw fish. The most popular nigiri sushi are sliced tuna, salmon, freshwater eel, squid and prawn. However, there are endless types of nigiri sushi available at Japanese sushi restaurants.
If you’re unsure about sushi and you want to ease in slowly, we recommend trying a non-fish sushi roll first, like cucumber, avocado, mushroom or egg (tamagoyaki).
Fun fact – California rolls and Dynamite Rolls are popular in North America, but not in Japan. Some Japanese restaurants in touristy areas will have these Westernized rolls on the menu, but most will not. These “safer” rolls are a good introduction to sushi because they do not have raw fish, but don’t expect to find these sushi rolls in Japan.
Conveyor belt sushi in Japan – Kaiten Sushi
A fun way to sample a variety of sushi is visiting a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, also called rotation sushi, sushi train and kaiten sushi . You may have seen or read about these innovative sushi restaurants during your research about Japanese food.
Basically, a conveyor belt transports small plates of various sushi around the restaurant. Typically, the conveyor belt passes beside tables or booths, or in front of a sushi bar, like the one pictured above.
Each item has a different price, which is identified by the colour or pattern on the plate. For example, the red plates might be 200 Yen each. If you see something you like, pick it up from the conveyor belt and enjoy. At the end of your meal, you add up the plates and pay for what you took from the conveyor belt.
We visited a few kaiten-zushi restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto. They’re great. Not only does the sushi come out quickly, you can actually see the items as they pass your table. This is ideal for first timers who are nervous about trying raw fish for the first time.
And, you don’t need to worry about over-ordering, or under-ordering. The small bites allow you to pace yourself and try some items you might not have it you were to order from a menu.
Here’s an updated list of Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo.
Most conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan have tablets at the table (see above photo). If you don’t see items you like on the conveyor belt, or you would like to order hot food items, you simply click the photos and place your order on the tablet.
Most tablet menus have an English option. This is helpful if you have specific items in mind.
Above – a small plate of nigiri sushi at a kaiten sushi restaurant in Tokyo Japan.
The above photo is a platter of various nigiri sushi.
Each piece of nigiri sushi a work of edible art. In the middle of the platter is chopped raw tuna belly served on rice. The big yellow sushi is tamago nigiri, which is a sweet folded omelet wrapped with seaweed.
Related post – Japan travel tips for first time visitors.
You can also order sushi cones, like in the above photo. These can get messy if you’re not careful. However, it’s one of our favourite food in Japan.
How to eat Sushi in Japan
We eat sushi often in Vancouver . At least once per week. We thought we knew the correct way to eat sushi, but we were wrong. How did we not know this before travelling to Japan?
Here’s an etiquette guide for how to eat sushi the correct way .
Apparently, the golden rules of eating sushi in Japan are:
do not stick your chopsticks upright in the rice
do not cut a piece of sushi in half with your chopsticks
don’t mix wasabi in your soy sauce
There are a lot of things to know when it comes to Japanese culture. Most people will forgive foreigners for not knowing or understanding proper Japanese etiquette and customs, provided you’re respectful, quiet and polite. So, if you want to mix up your wasabi and soy sauce, do it subtly and don’t be surprised if the sushi chef rolls his eyes at you.
Related – Japan travel tips you should know before you go
What is your favourite Japanese cuisine? Leave a comment below.
2. Sashimi
Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy that consists of thinly sliced raw fish, typically salmon, fatty tuna, yellowtail, mackerel, scallop and squid. You will also find sashimi-style meat, like chicken and beef.
Typically, sashimi is served plain and you dip the raw fish slices in soy sauce. However, some types of sashimi are served with a spicy sauce on top (example = spicy tuna sashimi).
What is the difference between sushi and sashimi?
There are a lot of similarities between sushi and sashimi. Some nigiri sushi, like the ones pictured above, have a strip of raw fish resting on a mound of Japanese rice. Same goes for some sushi rolls, like tekka maki (tuna), where the sushi roll is filled with slices of raw fish, which is basically sashimi.
In the above photo, the sashimi is located in the top dish. You can see the similarities between sashimi and nigiri sushi – the slices of fish on the nigiri sushi are so big that you actually can’t see the rice underneath.
Kaisendon traditional set menu
Kaisendon is a Japanese dish that consists of white rice and raw sashimi, such as prawns, octopus, squid, salmon, white fish, crab meat, egg, and sea urchin roes. It is often served with a traditional set menu (above photo).
In the covered brown bowl is miso soup, which is commonly served at Japanese restaurants.
The white bowl on the top right of the plate is chawanmushi , a steamed egg custard filled with meats and vegetables (including chicken, mushrooms, gingko nuts, kamaboko fish cakes, and carrots).
Other items typically found in a Japanese set menu are steamed vegetables, pickled vegetables, tempura (see below), salad, sushi rolls and/or a sweet desert like matcha cupcakes.
3. Tempura
Tempura is one of the most popular Japanese dishes in Japan. It’s a simple dish that consists of battered and deep fried seafood, meat and/or vegetables, served with a special dipping sauce called Tentsuyu.
Tempura is an easy introduction to Japanese food for tourists.
If you like crispy fish and chips, you’ll love tempura. Tempura batter is lighter than the batter that’s commonly used for fried fish and chicken.
Tempura can be served as an appetizer, side dish or as a stand-alone entrée. It’s typically made with prawns and/or vegetables, like yams, sweet potato, butternut squash, eggplant and green beans.
Many Japanese restaurants have plastic replicas of the dishes on display at the front or entrance to the restaurant. This makes it easy to visualize the menu and decide what you want to order before sitting down at a table. It’s very convenient when traveling with kids.
4. Udon
Udon is a popular Japanese dish that’s an easy introduction to Japanese food for tourists. It can be served a number of different ways, with a variety of ingredients, but it is most commonly served in noodle soups.
Pictured above is a delicious beef udon noodle soup that we enjoyed in Kyoto, Japan .
I like the simplicity of udon noodle soup. The flavourful savoury bowls are loaded with soft thick noodles, sliced chicken or beef, fresh vegetables and a variety of garnishes like green onion, sesame seeds, roasted seaweed slices, nora and dried garlic.
The most common udon noodle soups are Kitsune Udon, Tempura Udon (pictured above, in the backdrop) and Chikara Udon (topped with grilled mochi rice cakes).
You will also find udon noodles served in a stir fry dish, called Yaki Udon , mixed with meat, vegetables and a soy based sauce. It’s similar to yakisoba, but the noodles are different.
5. Ramen
Ramen is probably the most popular Japanese cuisine for tourists.
Similar to udon, ramen is a noodle dish consisting of thinly sliced wheat noodles, protein, vegetables and is typically served in a rich savory broth. Ramen is the perfect Japanese food for beginners.
There are many types of broths, ingredients and garnishes that will completely change the flavour and texture of the ramen noodle soup. The four main ramen broth bases are soy, miso, salt and tonkotsu.
My favourite is miso ramen, but tonkotsu is a close second. Who and I kidding, I love them all!
You can also add items to your ramen. Typical ramen garnishes include chashu pork, menma (bamboo shoots), narutomaki (fish cake), scallion, shiraga negi (Japanese long green onion) and a marinated soft boiled egg ( Ajitsuke Tamago ). I love adding an extra soft boiled egg – they are heavenly when prepared properly.
Ramen is an inexpensive and popular dish that can be found almost anywhere in Japan. You won’t have a problem finding ramen restaurants in Tokyo or Kyoto.
That said, like most restaurants, some are better than others. If you’re only in Tokyo for a few days, research online reviews to find the best ramen restaurants in Japan. Make it count!
Related post – How to spend 3 days in Tokyo
The above photo was captured at a small ramen restaurant in Kobe that was recommended to us. This particular miso ramen dish is served with a variety of Kobe beef.
Ramen is an easy introduction to Japanese food for kids. Our 8 year old son loves miso ramen.
6. Soba
Soba is the Japanese name for thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, or a combination of buckwheat and wheat flours. Similar to udon and ramen, soba noodles are often found in savory soup broth. However, soba noodles are also served cold with a dipping sauce or as a hot stir fry dish.
There are many soba noodle recipes and dishes to taste, from spicy peanut soba noodle salad (served cold) to beef and vegetable stir fry soba noodles (yakisoba).
Many restaurants in Japan offer a set menu with soba noodle soup as the main dish, accompanied by a variety of side dishes, like tuna sushi, salmon sashimi, grilled vegetables, steamed spinach with peanut sauce (Goma-ae), crispy tempura batter and chawanmushi (traditional savory egg custard).
Related – 50 Photos of Kyoto that will inspire you to visit
Above is a soba noodle soup with egg, chicken and sliced nori (dried seaweed).
Another day, another bowl of noodles for this little guy.
7. Agedashi Tofu
Agedashi tofu is cubes of soft or silken tofu coated with potato starch and deep fried so that the outer shell is crispy. It’s typically served as an appetizer or side dish, but can also be the main item in a bento box or served as an entrée.
If you’re vegetarian or don’t like to eat meat or fish, agedashi tofu is a great alternative.
Agedashi tofu is typically served with a flavourful tsuyu sauce for dipping. It is sometimes served with grated radish, green onion, and bonito flakes as garnishes.
Be careful. Agedashi tofu is deep fried and it comes out hot, hot, hot! We’ve burnt the roof of our mouths several times because we were too eager to dive in. The trick is to stab the middle of each piece of tofu with your chopstick so the steam releases and the tofu cools down. Consider yourself warned.
Above is a plate of large cubed agedashi tofu at a restaurant in Arima Onsen , an ancient hot spring town located near the city of Kobe.
8. Tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlet)
Tonkatsu is a breaded, deep-fried/tempura pork cutlet that is traditionally served with rice and sliced cabbage. It is a popular Japanese food for beginners because, well, who doesn’t like deep fried <insert anything and everything>?
Tonkatsu is similar to German schnitzel. However, the bread crumbs used for tonkatsu is called panko, which is different from the breadcrumbs used in Western cuisine.
You will find variations of tonkatsu in Japan, including katsudon , which consists of tonkatsu served on a bowl of rice, and katsu sando , which is a sandwich with tonkatsu between two slices of plain white bread.
Katsukare is another Japanese cuisine that consists of sliced tonkatsu pork cutlet served with Japanese curry rice and curry.
9. Yakitori
Yakitori is the Japanese version of chicken skewers.
There are many variations of yakitori , however, typically the skewers are made with bamboo skewers and seasoned with tare sauce and/or salt and spice.
Yakitori comes in many forms, including white chicken skewers, chicken and spring onion, chicken meatballs, chicken small intestines, gizzard and chicken heart, to name a few. Some restaurants and specialty shops also have deep fried options available.
Yakitori a popular Japanese street food that is commonly found at outdoor markets, food courts, sporting events and Yakitori-ya, which are small shops that specialize in yakitori. It’s widely available at izakayas, informal Japanese bars that serve alcoholic drinks and snacks. Here’s a list of best izakaya alleys in Tokyo.
Related – The best things to do in Tokyo for first time visitors
Freshly grilled yakitori at a market in Japan.
Yakitori and deep fried skewers at a stall in Nishiki Market in Kyoto.
Chicken meatball yakitori served at a restaurant in Kyoto.
10. Gyoza
Gyoza is another popular Japanese dish that is a must try food in Japan. It’s commonly served as an appetizer or side dish at sushi restaurants.
Gyoza is Japan’s version of the dumpling. It’s most similar to Chinese potstickers or jiaozi dumplings. These tasty Japanese dumplings are typically filled with minced pork, cabbage, scallions, garlic, and ginger. Vegetarian options are typically available, too.
Gyozas are typically fried in sesame oil on one side, until they have a crispy bottom. The top of the gyoza is steamed, giving it a soft texture. They’re served with a dipping sauce of rice vinegar, soy sauce and chilli oil.
Gyozas are an easy introduction to Japanese food for unadventurous eaters.
11. Takoyaki
Takoyaki, also known as octopus balls , is a delicious doughy ball filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and green onion.
They are commonly eaten as a snack or appetizer and are served with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and garnished with shavings of dried seaweed and fish flakes.
You will find small shops and street food vendors serving takoyaki throughout Japan.
Gindaco Takoyaki is the famous takoyaki restaurant near Harajuku train station in Tokyo.
We highly recommend you visit this location. They serve the best takoyaki in Tokyo, in our opinion.
Be prepared to wait your turn, as this location is very popular. It’s worth wait. Do it.
This takoyaki platter is served plain with a light vinegar dipping sauce on the side.
Takoyaki street food vendor near Fushimi Inari temple in Kyoto.
12. Chicken Karaage
Karaage is Japan’s version of fried chicken. The chicken is battered and deep fried until crispy on the outside. The chicken is often marinated prior to being coated with batter.
Karaage is served alone or with rice and shredded cabbage. It’s often served as an appetizer but it can also be a stand alone dish. You will find karaage served at most Japanese restaurants, as well as street food vendors at outdoor and indoor markets.
Our boys love chicken nuggets, so this tasty Japanese cuisine is one of their favourites.
13. Kobe beef in Kobe Japan
For all you steak lovers out there, you must try Kobe beef in Kobe.
Kobe is famous for its Wagyu beef , arguably the finest cut of beef in the world, which comes from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle.
Kobe beef is a Japanese delicacy , valued for its flavour, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Foodies flock to Kobe to sample it’s famous namesake.
First time visitors to Kobe will have no trouble finding a restaurant serving Kobe beef. It’s heavily advertised from the moment you get off the train at the Kobe train station.
There are a number of ways to sample this popular Japanese style of beef, from Kobe beef teppanyaki to Kobe beef hamburgers to Kobe beef sushi (pictured above).
Kobe beef is an expensive cut of meat , so your budget may dictate the best way to experience this celebrated Japanese cuisine. High-end steakhouses offer multi-course meals that serve a variety of cuts and styles of wagyu beef.
Or, you can enjoy Kobe beef on the cheap by sampling kobe beef sushi from a variety of restaurants or street food vendors. That’s what we did, because only one of us likes beef (hint – it’s not Nicole or the boys).
Now, if Kobe City is not on your original Japan travel itinerary, you can easily add it by taking a day trip to Kobe from Kyoto, Tokyo or Osaka. Or, you can simply get off the train in Kobe and have lunch or dinner, then get back on the train and continue to your next destination.
You will find wagyu beef throughout Japan, so don’t worry if you aren’t able to make it to Kobe. There are dozens of restaurants in Tokyo that serve wagyu beef, including Kobe beef, Omi beef and Matsusaka beef.
Street food vendors in Kobe Chinatown serve a variety of Kobe beef to hungry visitors.
14. Yakiniku
Yakiniku is a Japanese term that refers to grilled meat. Basically, you grill your meat on an open flame at your table. It’s a fun Japanese dining experience that you should try on your Japan vacation.
We stumbled upon a great yakiniku restaurant, Yakiniku LIKE , while exploring the Akihabara district in Tokyo. There are tablets at each table with an English menu and photos of each dish, so it’s an easy process with limited ‘lost in translation’ moments.
We ordered a variety of pork and beef to grill at our table. The raw meat is marinated and sliced, so you just add to the flame and cook it as much, or as little, as you like. Meals are served with rice and there are several condiments at your table.
Our boys loved grilling meat on the table. This was there first time and it remains a highlight for them when we talk about our family trip to Japan.
Related – The top things to do in Tokyo for tourists
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Japanese BBQ at your table
We enjoyed a fun lunch at Rokkosan Genghis Khan Palace on Mount Rokkō in Kobe City. Rather than being grilled on an open flame, like yakiniku, this Japanese barbecue grill is on a hot iron plate.
We ordered a variety of vegetables and meat, including Kobe beef, chicken and marinated pork, and grilled the food at our table. Our boys enjoyed using the tongs to flip the meat and listen to it sizzle on the iron plate. It’s a fun Japanese dining experience for tourists.
