6 Must-Try Japanese Food
One of the facts about Japan is that it has long been known for its wide array of cuisine cultures. Each meal of is packed with various nutrients and combined with the dedication to each of their dishes, Japanese food is a whole spectacular experience. It has been said that if you have lunch and dinner at a different restaurant in Tokyo every day for 50 years, there are still 100,000 restaurants left to conquer. From savory meals exploding with the umami flavor to the light sweetness of their red bean dessert dishes, there is truly something for every palette to experience. Let’s dive in and reveal 5 dishes that you don’t want to miss when coming to Japan!
Sushi
Sushi is indeed the most famous Japanese food; it has become the signature dish for this country. Sushi often contains two major ingredients: sushi rice and fresh seafood, but above that, the winning factor that sets this dish aside from everything else is the freshness of the ingredients, and the skillfulness of the chef when creating the vinegared rice. Facts about Japan: Japanese love to enjoy this dish with a bit of wasabi for the spicy kick and pickle ginger for the sourness to balance out the taste, so trying this combo can be a very unique way to experience the full depth of flavors in sushi, enhancing its subtle nuances and providing a balanced taste sensation. With every bite of sushi, we can taste the combination of flavors, which is such an extraordinary experience.
Japanese sushi
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki – the “Japanese savory pancake”, is a beloved traditional street food that captures the essence of the vibrant culinary scene of the capital of Japan, Osaka. This delicious Japanese food is popular for its rich flavor and customized ingredients, allowing customers to enjoy their pancake plate. The crispiness of the edge of the Okonomiyaki combined with the richness of ingredients inside it will make you crave for more after just one bite. The exact ingredients to make the dish vary based on the region. It is made of shredded cabbage and wheat flour batter grilled on a teppan (a hot metal plate), with many other ingredients options (e.g. pork, cheese, squid, green onion…). The special part about this dish is that chefs will prepare the okonomiyaki right in front of customers and serve it right away after cutting it into small pieces to share. Feel free to dip it into the sauce that comes with it! It is a game changer and will create another layer of taste when we try this dish!
Okonomiyaki
Shabu-Shabu
Meat eaters, you have to try this Japanese food! Shabu-Shabu is just like a hot pot, extremely suitable for sharing with friends and family. Shabu-shabu includes vegetables, meats, salad, and enoki mushrooms. The way to eat this is really simple: you just need to add whatever you like in the boiling base water, then enjoy them with special dipping sauces which enhance the taste of it
A little notice: this dish is among the pricier meal experiences to have in Japan, so sharing it with others will be the best.
Shabu-Shabu
Soba
Soba is another type of noodle, which comes in both hot and cold. Soba is made from buckwheat and is recommended to be served cold because, by that, customers can taste the freshness of the simple goodness of buckwheat with a side of dashi, green onion, and salt. The way to eat this dish is to dip the noodles in a mixture of dashi, green onion, and minced ginger. It is recommended to have Soba with other Japanese food like tempura, it will be a great combo!
Soba
Natto
As The Japan Times mentioned “Natto will change your life if you just give it a try”.
So, what exactly is Natto? Natto is a traditional Japanese food which is basically made from fermented soybeans, which is rich in minerals and probiotics, especially good for bone health and digestion. Since the taste of Natto is described as “earthy and nutty”, Natto is usually topped with chives, other seasoning and soy sauce to make the dish become more appealing. Because of the fermentation process, Natto has a signature sticky consistency, so you will notice the spider-web-like strings form between the beans when stirring the dish. The smell of Natto can be mild at first, but it becomes stronger and somewhat similar to the smell of ripe cheese. Since the dish is packed with various nutrients, Natto is often paired with rice and picked as an ideal breakfast for the Japanese.
Natto
Mochi
After all these main dishes, it’s time for dessert! Other than main meals, dessert is very famous among the Japanese food.
Japan is known for the creation of Mochi – the famous dessert. Mochi is made from glutinous rice, which is soaked, steamed, pounded, and molded into a ball. For the original mochi (Daifuku), each ball of mochi is filled with red bean paste inside, but we can choose any different kinds of fillings that we want for these dishes: ice cream, fruits, etc. After having the main dish, it will be perfect to enjoy a serving of mochi, with green tea that will help to balance out the sweetness of this dish. Altogether, create an amazing experience for customers!
Mochi
This concludes my extensive must-try dishes that you have to try when you have the opportunity to visit Japan. For some travelers to Japan, meals serve as a break between exploring natural and historical wonders, while for others, the cuisine is simply the primary focus of their visit. Regardless of whether you come to Japan for the Japanese food or are just enjoying it as another unique experience, remember one thing: When in Japan, make every meal count!
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