Japan is a beautiful country and a highly coveted travel destination, renowned for its rich culture, stunning biodiversity, and intriguing architecture. Another favorite feature of Japan is the variety and popularity of its cuisine. From noodles to seafood, there’s a wide selection to choose from and try here. For picky eaters, however, trying a new culture’s food can be a little intimidating. If you’re planning a trip to Japan with a sensitive palate, you’ll want to know where and how to find food that caters to your needs.
Japanese Cuisine Is Diverse
Many westerners often think of sushi when they picture Japanese cuisine. Sushi is a popular dish, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. Japan offers a diverse range of food choices, even if you’re a vegetarian, don’t like seafood, or can’t handle spicy food. Many restaurants and grocery stores offer a variety of spice levels and ingredients to choose from, allowing customers to customize their dishes. Rice bowls can be topped with a wide range of ingredients you like; gyudon is a popular favorite among meat-eating, picky palates, as it simply features beef over rice. If you prefer chicken, you can opt for tori katsu, also known as chicken katsu, a fried chicken cutlet typically served over rice. Karaage is also popular in Japan, another form of frying that normally involves chicken. You can enjoy some udon, a type of noodle, without worrying about other ingredients involved. If you enjoy grilled meat, yakitori is a grilled meat skewer with minimal ingredients. There are also Western-style restaurants in many districts, where you can enjoy more familiar dishes.
Visit Convenience Stores
If you’re struggling to find restaurants that cater to your dietary preferences, you can always grab some snacks or quick meals at convenience stores, commonly referred to as konbini in Japan. Just like in Western societies, convenience stores are excellent places to shop trail mixes, chips, candy bars, and other familiar treats that your palate might be more open to. Konbini will sometimes carry familiar brands and flavors that you’re familiar with. It’s worth trying some Japanese chips or candies as well; you might be surprised at how much you like them! There are thousands of convenience stores, or konbini, in Japan to choose from, and some may offer different flavors, so consider visiting more than one for a fuller experience. They’ll also typically carry quick-to-go meals, such as noodles, rice balls, steamed buns, and other culinary favorites that cater to a wide range of palates.
Learn How to List Your Food Preferences
The sentence you provided is already in active voice. There’s no passive voice to remove. The main verb “can learn” uses the active construction with “you” as the subject performing the action of learning. Learn how to ask about the cuisine in Japanese or order items without specific ingredients. For example, if you can’t stand the thought of fish, you can order everything “sakana nashi (魚なし)” or “no fish.” This can also be phrased as, “sakana wa taberarenai” or “I can’t eat fish.” Meat can be translated to “niku (肉).” Learn about all the ingredients you dislike, and write them down. Include both romanji (English pronunciation of Japanese) and kanji (Japanese characters) related to ordering food in case you need them in a pinch. Many chefs and restaurants are happy to customize and limit ingredients for you.
Look for Familiar Chains
You may be surprised at how many restaurants you recognize in Japan, especially in larger cities like Tokyo. American chains have made their way to the East, and you can easily find restaurants like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Subway. If you’re truly afraid to branch out and try Japanese cuisine, you can always stop at a familiar restaurant you like. Be aware that the menu will differ from the American version of these restaurants, so you may still need to order some custom dishes or broaden your horizons.
Peruse a Department Store Basement
Department stores in Japan, like their Western counterparts, are large retail experiences where you can buy a wide variety of goods. In the basement of Japanese department stores, you can find the food or restaurant section, where there are a ton of delicious desserts, bento boxes (convenient lunch boxes), and sample dishes. There are many varieties that picky eaters can choose from, including bakery items and fresh fruits and vegetables. With so many options, you’re bound to find something that delights you.
Be Polite and Considerate
Being in a new country with new foods can be overwhelming. If you’re picky, you may be stressed about the food choices or scared to try something new. That’s normal! However, if you react to food offered to you with disgust or anger, you can come off as rude, especially in a different country. Tones, inflections, and jokes may not come across the way you intend when you’re experiencing a new culture. Remember to be polite, even if you don’t like a food you’ve tried or are offered. Practice your manners and politely decline food when you don’t want it.
Try Something New
Even if you’re scared, visiting a new country is a rare experience. While you’re somewhere new, try branching out and trying a new dish that sounds appealing to you. You never know what foods you may enjoy unless you try them. Misconceptions about dishes can limit your experience. At worst, you confirm that you don’t like something. At best, you have a new favorite food.
Conclusion
Japanese cuisine is incredibly delicious and diverse, but traveling anywhere with a picky palate can be intimidating. It’s useful to know your options beforehand, find out where to get snacks, and learn to order certain dishes without ingredients you can’t have. Japanese chefs and restaurants are usually willing to accommodate you, and they won’t force you to eat something you don’t want. Don’t forget your manners, however. When visiting someone else’s culture and country with respect and an open mind, you can learn a great deal about others and yourself.
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