Only Know Sushi for Japanese Cuisine? A Guide to Classic Japanese Foods—Never Wonder What to Eat Again!

Japan, one of the most popular travel destinations in recent years, is a top choice for many friends traveling abroad. Everyone knows about Tokyo Tower and Akihabara, but after sightseeing, they often don't know what to eat. If you're going to Japan and only know sushi, you're missing out on too many delicious foods. I just returned from Japan before the pandemic, and while my memory is still fresh, let me list some classic Japanese delicacies!

Speaking of sushi, there are many varieties and prices. The most affordable and fun type is conveyor-belt sushi. Freshly made sushi is placed on a conveyor belt in front of you. You can take whatever you want, or order directly from the chef, and finally pay based on the color of the plates.

What's Naruto's favorite from the anime Naruto? Ramen! Just hearing him slurp noodles is enough to make your mouth water. The noodles are chewy, the broth is rich and fragrant, with several large slices of pork bone, nori, sesame, and other toppings—perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

A national noodle, udon is made from wheat and is very thick, with a diameter of at least 1.7 mm to be called udon. In winter, it's served as soup noodles; in summer, as cold noodles. There are many variations—stir-fried or in soup—with a soft texture suitable for all ages.

It can be called beef bowl, one of the most common quick meals in Japan. Beef slices over rice, served with miso soup, and a raw egg cracked on top of the steaming rice—simple yet healthy.

Japanese people seem to pursue the original flavor of ingredients. Raw beef is not completely raw; it's at least medium-rare. Surprisingly, it's very tender and smooth like silk. Paired with rice and side dishes, it makes a perfect meal.

Japanese staple meals are often surprisingly simple: a large serving of fried beef cutlet, pork cutlet, or other fried meats, accompanied by rice and miso soup. Simple as it looks, it balances meat and vegetables, providing full energy for the day.

Curry originally came from India, but Japanese people love it and have clearly developed it further. Japanese curry rice is often paired with fried pork cutlet or teriyaki chicken cutlet, so it can be seen as an evolution of the fried cutlet rice.

Besides beef bowl, eel rice is another specialty. Grilled eel in an orange-red color, drizzled with a special sauce, tastes soft and tender—every bite is perfect with rice.

I first learned about omurice from movies and TV. A perfectly spread omelet wraps around fragrant and fluffy fried rice, with a golden exterior topped with appetizing red ketchup—nutritious and delicious.

Japanese people have their own unique understanding of tea ceremony, even incorporating it into cuisine. Ochazuke is simply pouring some tea into a bowl, then adding rice and side dishes, letting them soak and mix. Each bite carries a subtle tea fragrance—a true enjoyment for tea lovers.

Tempura is not a single dish but a general term for various battered and deep-fried foods. The most famous is “shrimp tempura.” When paired with rice, it becomes tempura donburi.

Sukiyaki is actually a type of hot pot. The broth is sweetened with sugar, making it sweet and savory. Then you cook beef and vegetables in it.

Japanese-style grilled meat is often charcoal-grilled, which is the most authentic and flavorful. Usually beef is used, such as fatty beef, pork belly, beef ribs, etc.

A type of Japanese teppanyaki, it originated and developed in Osaka’s street food culture, hence the name. On a scorching hot iron plate, flour, vegetables, and seasonings are stir-fried together, finally shaped into a pizza-like pancake.

A world-famous Japanese snack: a spherical dough ball wraps around a piece of octopus. You can't wait to pop it into your mouth as soon as it's ready—hot and bursting with flavor.

Similar to Chinese meat skewers, these are mostly found at bars, izakaya, and other night spots. Japanese skewers are large and substantial. Unlike in China, they are generously drenched in sauce, making them very rich and juicy.

The Japanese foods listed above are enough to have a different dish every day for a week without repeating. These are just the most common Japanese dishes—make a note so next time you travel to Japan, you won't worry about what to eat.

Travelogue Directory: 1. Conveyor-Belt Sushi; 2. Ramen; 3. Udon; 4. Beef Bowl (Gyudon); 5. Raw Beef Rice; 6. Fried Cutlet Rice; 7. Curry Rice; 8. Eel Rice; 9. Omurice; 10. Ochazuke; 11. Tempura; 12. Sukiyaki; 13. Japanese Yakiniku; 14. Okonomiyaki; 15. Takoyaki; 16. Skewers (Yakitori).

Travel Information: Hotel Index, Attraction Index, Airfare Index, Website Navigation, Travel Index, Cruise Index, Corporate Travel Index, Franchise Cooperation, Distribution Alliance, Friendship Links, Corporate Gift Cards, Insurance Agency, Agent Cooperation, Hotel Franchise, Destination & Attraction Cooperation, More Franchise Cooperation. About Ctrip: About Ctrip, Ctrip Hot Topics, Contact Us, Career Opportunities, User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Business License, Security Center, Ctrip Content Center, Intellectual Property, Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure.