Local Food in Japan is based on fresh, local ingredients, with minimal processing, highlighting instead the natural flavors of the food. Fish, rice, noodles, and vegetables are some staples that make up the basis of most Japanese diets. Some popular traditional dishes include sushi, ramen, tempura, soba, tonkatsu and okonomiyaki.
Japanese cuisine emphasizes variety and balance. This is achieved through the use of five colors (black, white, red, yellow, and green), five cooking techniques (raw food, grilling, steaming, boiling, and frying), and five flavors (sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter). These principles can be found even in a single meal of one soup and three sides paired with rice.
Sushi is one of the most famous foods to come from Japan. It originated from the process of preserving fish in fermented rice. Today it’s made with vinegared rice and fresh fish. Tempura is a dish of battered and fried fish or vegetables. Special care is given to the way the ingredients are cut as well as to the temperature of the batter (ice cold) and oil (very hot) for deep-frying.
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Yamaguchi
Kawara soba (瓦そば)
What is Kawara soba? Kawara Soba (瓦そば) is a traditional Japanese dish of Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Locals make this by placing the cha soba and ingredients on a heated tile and eating it in warm noodle soup. Kawara sob... -
Tokyo
Imagawa Yaki (今川焼)
Imagawa Yaki is a famous dessert that looks like a stuffed pancake. Most of the time, they use an iron grill pan to cook this. It is not just available in Japan, but it's also popular in countries like South Korea and Taiwan. Do you like... -
Oosaka
Modanyaki (モダン焼き)
Modanyaki is simply Okonomiyaki with Yakisoba noodles. It has become a popular dish in Osaka and people call it "Modern Okonomiyaki" sometimes. So, what makes it stand out from the usual? Read on to know more. What is Modanyaki? By all m... -
Mie
Matsusaka Beef (松阪牛)
Japanese Wagyu beef is one of the most prized proteins in the culinary world and is deemed as luxurious as caviar and black truffles. The stunning marbling of fat, tantalizing texture, and umami-rich wagyu is what all steak lovers dream ... -
Shizuoka
Kinako Mochi (きな粉餅)
What if I told you that there is a Japanese dessert that can make you live longer and happier? It is called kinako mochi, and it consists of chewy rice cakes dusted with roasted soybean powder. Kinako mochi has a nutty and slightly sweet... -
Hyougo
Botan Nabe (ぼたん鍋)
Botan Nabe "ぼたん鍋" uses wild boar meat as its main ingredient. Wild, isn't it? It's one of the many hot pot dishes in Japan. Read on to know more. What is Botan Nabe? While there are tons of hot pot dishes, this dish is making noises ... -
Tokyo
Unadon (うな丼)
Today, eel is a very popular food and fish not only in Japan but also overseas. Unadon is a traditional Japanese food that uses grilled eel. It is one of Tokyo’s specialty cuisines from the Edo period, and locals usually served this by p... -
Kyoto
Inari zushi (いなり寿司)
If you are planning a trip to Kyoto or any other part of Japan, or even if you are thinking about having a sushi night at home, then you definitely need to try Inarizushi. The delightful flavors of this sushi variation are truly worth ex... -
Aichi
Kishimen (きしめん)
Kishimen is part of Nagoya Meshi just like Tebasaki. It's a Japanese noodle that is quick to cook just like udon. In fact, they are almost the same. The only difference is the shape and thickness. What is Kishimen? Kishimen has flat and ... -
Tokyo
Hishi mochi (菱餅)
Introduction to Hishi Mochi In Japan, they have this custom or festival in which they celebrated it for the growth of girls. They call it "Hinamatsuri" and they always held it on March 3rd. One of the indispensable items on this day is t...