The Best Foods in Japan, Our top 5 Picks

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu refers to a dish of breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets. Usually, you have a choice of fillet or loin. It’s pretty straightforward, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring – sometimes the best things in life are just that simple. At its best, you’ll bite into a crispy breadcrumb shell encasing tender meat and a layer of fat that melts in your mouth. In Japan, it’s often served with a tangy brown tonkatsu sauce, a dash of karashi mustard, or salt. Heaps of shredded cabbage, a plate of rice, and miso soup round off the meal.

For the best Katsu checkout Tonki

1-1-2 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-0064

Gyoza

This has got to be one of the most delicious foods on the list, and probably the most simple. Gyozaro in Harajuku is a no-frills local gem serving tasty, cheap gyoza dumplings. Sometimes, having fewer choices makes life easier. The limited options at Harajuku’s best-known gyoza restaurant, Gyozaro, make ordering a breeze. You’ll choose from fried or steamed gyoza, with or without garlic chives. There are a few side dishes, and rice if you need it, but it’s mostly about the dumplings. Just remember to bring your apatite.

6 Chome-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Udon

Maybe you’re used to the typical hot udon most commonly consumed in most western countries. But did you know that there is also a wide verity of cold udon as well? For a hot day, this may be just what you need. Drizzled with a bit of yuzu (Japanese lime), topped with fresh daikon to balance the flavours, and crowned with a delicate leaf of refreshing shiso. Nothing quite so fresh and vibrant as this. If your looking for some light food on a hot day, this is where to go.

Japan, 〒113-0033 Tokyo, Bunkyo City, 文京区Hongo, 2 Chome−39−7 エチソウビル

Sushi

Now, you can visit Tokyo without trying sushi. Sushi Saito is a Japanese sushi restaurant in Minato, Tokyo, primarily known for serving sushi. It had three Michelin stars until it chose to stop accepting reservations from the general public. So if you want to go here, it helps to have friends in the right places.

Expensive sushi is all well and good, but what about something delicious and fast? The best bang for your buck hands down has got to be Sushiro, one of Japans largest sushi conveyor belt sushi chains. The food is delicious and the price just right.

Yakitori

Yakitori is often seen as a cheap and cheerful meal. Selected chicken parts are skewered with kushi (a stick typically made from bamboo or sometimes steel), and then slowly grilled over charcoal fire while lathering it in tare, a sweet soy sauce and mirin mix. Its sweet, salty and smokey flavours make it the perfect bar snack – pairs well with ice cold beer and best enjoyed in an izakaya.

For a taste of this mouth watering food try Tokoshima.

Luna Park Sangenjaya 105, 2-8-10 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku
Tokyo