Japanese dishes
Japan is a paradise for food lovers, offering a stunning variety of dishes that highlight fresh ingredients, delicate flavors, and time-honored techniques. Whether you crave something crispy, savory, or comforting, Japanese cuisine has something for everyone. Here are 10 must-try Japanese dishes that we absolutely adore!
Tempura, Miso & More: 10 Japanese Dishes We Adore
1. Tempura (天ぷら) – Crispy, Light, and Addictive
Tempura is a beloved Japanese dish featuring seafood, vegetables, and mushrooms coated in a light, airy batter and deep-fried to perfection. Unlike heavily battered fried foods, tempura remains delicately crispy and non-greasy.
Must-Try Tempura:
Ebi Tempura (海老天ぷら) – Shrimp tempura, a classic favorite
Kakiage (かき揚げ) – Mixed vegetable tempura fritter
Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Tempura – Sweet, crispy, and irresistible
Best Way to Enjoy:
Dip in tentsuyu sauce (soy sauce, dashi, and mirin)
Sprinkle with matcha salt or yuzu salt for an extra twist
2. Miso Soup (味噌汁) – The Heart of Japanese Cuisine
Miso soup is a staple in Japanese households, offering a warm and umami-packed start to any meal. Made with fermented soybean paste (miso), dashi broth, tofu, seaweed, and green onions, this simple yet flavorful soup is a comforting essential.
Types of Miso to Try:
Shiro Miso (白味噌) – Mild and slightly sweet
Aka Miso (赤味噌) – Deep, rich, and intense
Awase Miso (合わせ味噌) – A perfect blend of white and red miso
3. Sushi (寿司) – The Art of Simplicity
Sushi is Japan’s most iconic dish, featuring vinegared rice topped with fresh seafood or vegetables. Whether you prefer classic nigiri, fresh sashimi, or fun maki rolls, sushi is an essential experience for every food lover.
Must-Try Sushi:
Maguro (鮪) – Tuna sushi, a classic choice
Salmon Aburi (炙りサーモン) – Seared salmon with a smoky touch
Unagi (うなぎ) – Grilled eel with sweet soy glaze
4. Ramen (ラーメン) – A Bowl of Pure Comfort
A steaming bowl of ramen is a must-try in Japan! With different broth styles and regional variations, ramen is the ultimate soul food.
Famous Ramen Styles:
Shoyu Ramen (醤油ラーメン) – Soy sauce-based broth (Tokyo-style)
Tonkotsu Ramen (豚骨ラーメン) – Creamy pork bone broth (Fukuoka-style)
Miso Ramen (味噌ラーメン) – Savory miso-based broth (Hokkaido-style)
5. Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) – Japan’s Savory Pancake
Okonomiyaki is a delicious, customizable Japanese pancake made with batter, cabbage, and a variety of toppings. It’s cooked on a hot griddle and topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and seaweed powder.
Regional Styles:
Osaka-style – Ingredients mixed into the batter before cooking
Hiroshima-style – Layers of batter, cabbage, and noodles
6. Takoyaki (たこ焼き) – Osaka’s Favorite Street Food
Takoyaki are crispy, golden-brown balls filled with diced octopus and topped with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. This street food snack is a must-try, especially when exploring Japan’s lively night markets.
Best Way to Enjoy:
Fresh off the griddle—hot and crispy!
Pair with a cold Japanese beer or green tea
7. Tonkatsu (とんかつ) – The Ultimate Fried Pork Cutlet
Tonkatsu is a deep-fried breaded pork cutlet, served with shredded cabbage and a thick, flavorful tonkatsu sauce. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this dish is pure satisfaction.
Popular Variations:
Rosu Katsu (ロースカツ) – Juicy pork loin cutlet
Hire Katsu (ヒレカツ) – Lean and tender pork fillet
8. Yakitori (焼き鳥) – Skewered Grilled Chicken
Yakitori consists of grilled chicken skewers, often seasoned with salt (shio) or sweet tare sauce. A favorite at izakayas, it pairs perfectly with a drink.
Best Yakitori Skewers:
Negima (ねぎま) – Chicken with green onions
Tsukune (つくね) – Chicken meatballs
Reba (レバー) – Grilled chicken liver
9. Soba (そば) & Udon(うどん) – Japan’s Classic Noodles
Both soba (buckwheat noodles) and udon (thick wheat noodles) are staple dishes in Japan, enjoyed hot in broth or cold with dipping sauce.
Must-Try Noodle Dishes:
Zaru Soba (ざるそば) – Cold soba with dipping sauce
Kitsune Udon (きつねうどん) – Udon with sweet fried tofu
Tempura Soba (天ぷらそば) – Soba topped with crispy tempura
10. Unagi (うなぎ) – Grilled Freshwater Eel
Unagi is a delicacy in Japan, known for its tender texture and rich, smoky flavor. Grilled over charcoal and basted with sweet soy-based tare sauce, it’s served over rice as unadon (うな丼).
Best Way to Enjoy:
Try Hitsumabushi (ひつまぶし) – A special Nagoya-style eel dish with different ways to eat it
Japanese cuisine is a true celebration of flavor, tradition, and craftsmanship. Whether you’re savoring crispy tempura, indulging in a comforting bowl of ramen, or enjoying the delicate balance of sushi, every bite offers a taste of Japan’s rich culinary culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What makes Japanese tempura different from other fried foods?
Japanese tempura is known for its light, airy batter, which is made using cold water and minimal mixing to avoid gluten formation. This results in a crispy, delicate texture that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients rather than overpowering them.
- Is miso soup always vegetarian?
Not always. Traditional miso soup is made with dashi broth, which often contains katsuobushi (bonito flakes) derived from fish. However, vegetarian versions use kombu (seaweed) or shiitake mushroom broth instead.
- How is real ramen different from instant ramen?
Authentic Japanese ramen is made with fresh noodles and slow-simmered broth, often prepared over hours to develop deep flavors. Instant ramen, while convenient, usually contains powdered or pre-packaged broth and dehydrated noodles, making it a quick but less flavorful alternative.
- What’s the difference between sushi, sashimi, and nigiri?
- Sushi refers to vinegared rice combined with seafood, vegetables, or other ingredients.
- Sashimi is thinly sliced raw fish or seafood, served without rice.
- Nigiri is a specific type of sushi with hand-pressed rice topped with raw or cooked seafood, often garnished with wasabi.
- Can I eat yakitori if I don’t like chicken?
Yes! While "yakitori" specifically refers to grilled chicken skewers, many yakitori shops also serve other skewered items like beef, pork, mushrooms, bell peppers, and even cheese-wrapped options.
