Japanese food: Typical Japanese dishes
Although we know that naming all the Japanese food dishes that exist is unfeasible, we could even say impossible, we want to leave you with a selection of what for us are some of the typical Japanese dishes sushi, which we believe you should not miss while traveling around the country. nippon.
Although on our first trip to Japan for free in 18 days , while we got to know the most essential places to see in Japan , we tried many of the typical Japanese food dishes , we have to confess that it was not until our second visit to the Japanese country, from which we have published this guide to Japan , when we have tried most of the country’s typical dishes and we can say that we have delved into Japanese gastronomy.
After having enjoyed it like never before and since we know and understand that gastronomy is a very important aspect in any culture, which brings us closer to it as well as giving us the chance to get to know it much better, we want to leave you with a selection oftypical Japanese dishes , so that you can get an idea of Japanese gastronomy and start thinking about the unforgettable and incredible moments that you will enjoy on your trip.
Japanese food: Typical Japanese dishes
There are not a few messages we receive telling us that one of the main problems when traveling to Japan is, in addition to the high prices, the obligation to eat only raw fish.
If you think like this, we have to tell you that you are wrong: eating in Japan can be very cheap, as we explained in the post about prices in Japan , in addition to not only eating raw fish. What’s more, sushi is just one of the many dishes of Japanese gastronomy that you can find traveling around the country and saying that you don’t like Japanese gastronomy, because you don’t like sushi, would be like saying that you don’t like Spanish gastronomy. for not liking paella.
That is why we advise you to try different options to begin to discover one of the most complete and exquisite cuisines in the world, which we assure you, you will end up loving.
Before starting with the selection of Japanese food, you should bear in mind that contrary to what it may seem, in Japan, most restaurants are specialized in one of the dishes of their gastronomy, sometimes being difficult to find a menu that includes various typical dishes of Japanese cuisine. That is why, in case you want to try several different ones, a good option is to go to an izakaya , a typical Japanese bar or restaurant, which would be the equivalent of our tapas bar.
sushi
We would dare to say that sushi is the best known Japanese food outside the country. With as many lovers as detractors, this delicacy, made from rice with raw or sometimes undercooked fish or shellfish, is one of the most delicious Japanese dishes.
Although there are currently restaurants that serve rolls, the best-known option in the West, in Japan the usual thing is to eat nigiris, the typical rice ball with fish on top.
sashimi
This Japanese dish consists of small pieces of fish or shellfish, cut into thicker sheets than carpaccio. It is usually accompanied by wasabi and soy sauce, as well as ginger.
tempura
This Japanese food dish consists of a quick fry, which is usually done with seafood and vegetables and are served alone or mixed.
Usually each piece is a suitable size so that it can be eaten in one bite, although some vegetables or shellfish are usually larger.
gyoza
This Japanese food is a kind of dumpling or fritter, which is prepared with a flour dough and filled with pork and cabbage, and then fried. Currently they can be found with different fillings, especially in specialized restaurants.
Ramen
This Japanese dish is made with noodles, which are boiled in a fish-based broth, miso, and soy sauce. To these ingredients are added pork and chives.
miso
This dish of Japanese cuisine can be found in many restaurants, either as an individual dish or as an accompaniment in many menus.
This soup is made with soybeans dissolved in dashi or fish stock, and tofu and wakame seaweed are added.
Yakisoba
The yakisoba is another of the typical dishes of Japanese cuisine. It consists of thin noodles that are cooked fried with vegetables, meat or seafood and sometimes with everything mixed.
okonomiyaki
Known by many as Japanese pizza , although it has little or nothing to do with Italian, this Japanese food is a kind of omelet, in which different ingredients are mixed, such as vegetables, seafood or meat and cooked on the grill.
Depending on the area in which it is eaten, they are cooked in different ways, the most famous being those of Hiroshima, Osaka and Miyajima.
Takoyaki
This dish of Japanese cuisine consists of fried flour balls that are filled with octopus. One of the most recommended places to eat them is in Osaka, in the Dontombori area.
Katsudon
This dish is a bowl of rice topped by a breaded pork chop, also called tonkatsu, to which a poked egg and various spices are added.
Karee Raisu
Commonly called Japanese curry , this is one of the most famous dishes in Japanese cuisine. although there are many varieties, with many main ingredients, the most popular is tonkatsu rice, to which the famous curry is added.
Kushikatsu
This dish of Japanese cuisine, very famous especially in Osaka, consists of meat, fish or vegetable skewers that are fried in vegetable oil and served with different sauces.
tsukemono
Pickled vegetables that are usually eaten as an accompaniment to another main dish. Sometimes they are served and eaten as an appetizer.
edamame
Immature soybean pods, boiled in salted water and served whole. In some restaurants, fried varieties are served and seasoned with salt, pepper or other spices.
Onigiri
Triangles of rice wrapped in nori seaweed and filled with different foods, such as fish, meat or vegetables.
unagi donburi
Better known to us as an eel. This dish will be prepared with freshwater eels, which are presented on a bed of rice. One of the most appreciated dishes of Japanese cuisine.
Kobe beef
According to Wikipedia: “Kobe beef (神戸ビーフ, Kōbe Bīfu) or Kobe beef is called certain cuts of beef from specimens of the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyū beef, raised according to a strict tradition in the prefecture of Hyōgo (Japan).
udon
This dish, typical of Japanese food , is thick noodles made from wheat flour, served in a broth made from dashi, soy sauce, and mirin.