Japan... That's where futuristic skyscrapers, ancient pagodas, and watercolor nature intersect! This is a country where you can buy a folding fan on the bustling Nikise-dori in Tokyo, meditate by the rock garden in Kyoto, or feed the slightly intrusive (but still charming) reindeer in Nara. But guess what? Probably the main reason to go here is the food.
Why do gastrotourists need to go to Japan?
The cuisine in Japan is such that you will forget everything you ate before. Your favorite sushi from the next delivery will no longer seem like sushi! Rolls? Forget it, in Japan everything is different: the ingredients are the freshest, the approach is jewelry, the taste is goosebumps. Here you will be fed in such a way that it does not matter whether you dine in a restaurant where the check is wow, or in a tiny snack bar. But here's the secret: the quality is always on top. And also free buns! Miso soup, rice, tea - all this will be brought to you just like that. When was the last time you saw such bonuses?
Now to the main thing – what to try and where to look for gastronomic wonders?
Sushi and sashimi: real as they are
You probably thought you had already eaten sushi. No – in Japan you will try them for the first time. Here, even a simple strip of raw tuna on rice will be like a discovery. Fish is always fresh, without a hint of freezing.
Sushi trains are generally a separate pleasure. Imagine: a long belt with plates, like a baggage conveyor at the airport, only instead of suitcases there is food. You just take what you like or order through a tablet.
And the rolls? Surprise number two: the Japanese almost do not eat them. These "California" and "Philadelphia" are more of an invention for foreign restaurants, and here you will find simple rolls with cucumber or fish (rice + nori + tuna).
Ramen: a plate of happiness
Ramen is an art. Each ramen restaurant, of which there are millions, serves something different: miso ramen, ramen with pork broth, ramen with soy sauce... The broth is thick, the noodles are elastic, on top there is meat, vegetables, eggs, whatever your heart desires. And the portions are such that you will give up faster than you finish!
Tip: Find a tiny ramen shop with a long queue. Yes, you will have to stand, but it is worth it, this is a sure sign.
Wagyu: Dream Beef
Have you ever eaten meat that literally melts in your mouth? Wagyu is it. Cows who are massaged, fed beer and vitamin supplements give us this marbled beef. Its main place of origin is the city of Kobe.
Sometimes you will be offered to fry a piece of wagyu yourself: you sit down at the table with a small grill and turn into a chef. But not everyone likes this process.
Fugu: on the verge of life and culinary orgasm
Yes, this is the same fish with poison that can kill you faster than you can complain about its taste! But only masters with a license cook fugu. And you know what? It's... delicious. A slight taste of danger is attached.
Regional dishes: what to look for?
Japan is a country where every corner is famous for its signature dish:
- Osaka: takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory cakes with cabbage and toppings). Taste them hot while the sauce is still dripping!
- Hiroshima: okonomiyaki here is cooked with udon - hearty and incredibly tasty.
- Be sure to check out the small kappo restaurants in Kyoto , where the cuisine is such that you will want to stay forever.
How to choose a place for lunch?
Japan is a country of contrasts. Our advice: look for places with queues - this is a sure sign that it is delicious there. And don't be afraid to ask the locals: the Japanese like to share recommendations, even if you have to explain yourself through an interpreter. On the contrary: if you ask a passer-by where you can eat delicious food here, he will take it as respect for his national cuisine, and will be very happy to help you.
Unusual Japanese dishes that you are unlikely to have tried
- Crabs: boiled, fried, sashimi – whatever! Especially kani nabe – crab soup.
- Street food: Try fried sweet potatoes (yamaimo) or taiyaki (bean paste pies).
- Ice cream: yes, in Japan, even it is unusual - with the taste of matcha, yuzu or sweet potato.
Final advice
Japan is not only temples and technology, but also delicious food that can redefine your life. So try everything, experiment and don't be afraid to be surprised! And yes: eat slowly to have time to remember everything.
