I have to admit – I was NOT looking forward to the food in Japan. I’m allergic to most fish. I can’t stand red beans. And I read about Japan’s most infamous dish called Natto (rotted stinking and slimy soybeans). Okay, technically they’re fermented soybeans but really, what’s the difference?
More to Japanese cuisine than the rotting soybeans!
Before leaving for Japan, I even bought several Odwalla energy bars thinking that I might not be eating much. But you know what? I totally converted — and ended up loving the food. I think I even have a leftover Odwalla bar. Below is a list of the best things to check out in Japan.
10. Ramen Alley
No pressure Kevin – trying to figure out what to order as the line wraps around the restaurant
As a kid, ramen (or as we know it Cup of Noodles) made me so sick. I have (disgusting) memories of me eating it only to literally heave it up 10 minutes later. Ever since then, I’ve sort of had a hard time eating it. Reluctantly, we lined up at one of the MANY ramen shops in the basement of Tokyo Station known as “Ramen Alley.” Japanese love their vending machines – so the first fun part is ordering your dish (or in our case fumbling our way through). It was our first day and we put in a larger bill and it was like winning the jackpot when it came time for our change — since ramen is also a cheap meal. Let’s just say we definitely held up that line! But maybe it meant better business since the Japanese often judge a place by the long line. Just look for a place that looks popular and jump in line — we ended up going to a place we think was called Japanese Noodle Free Style (Maybe it rolls off the tongue better in Japanese?).
9. Sushi
Doesn’t get much fresher than at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo
Okay, it’s Japan. This is a no brainer. Sushi is considered a special occasion meal in Japan. And it can be expensive! We ended up getting sushi for breakfast one morning (weird I know, but not in Japan!) and ended up spending about $80 USD. Imagine how many Egg McMuffins you could buy with that. But I’ll take this sushi any day. In Tokyo, the best places to try out sushi is at the Tsukiji Fish Market. And of course, there is the infamous Chef Jiro’s Sukiyabashi (from the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi) but good luck with getting a table. But really you can find good sushi about anywhere. In fact, I loved the sushi from 711 and another minimart called Lawson. Don’t knock it until you try it!
I love the sushi from the minimarts… If only I could figure out how to get the plastic off it! Seriously, you need a doctorate to figure out those instructions!
8. Taiyaki
Taiyaki – pancakes filled with chocolate, vanilla custard or beans
Taiyaki (and not Teriyaki like my computer keeps trying to correct it to!) is a tasty dessert. Think pancakes filled with chocolate, vanilla custard or red bean paste (which I’ll pass on any day!). I was obsessed with these things. Now, I’ve had these in San Francisco and Los Angeles previously. But for whatever reason, they tasted SO much better in Japan. There are stalls all over Japan, but the ones that are in the Asakusa market in Tokyo remained the best (and trust me, I ate a lot of these things!).
7. Japanese Pancakes
It looks pretty gross, but a tasty and cheap dinner and Hiroshima is famous for these.
More pancakes! On the opposite spectrum, you’ll find the Okonomiyaki (again, rolls right off the tongue… if all else fails, just point!). Hiroshima specializes in these popular late night snacks which are grilled in front of you and consist of lots of sauces, spaghetti and cheese. Something tells me these will become much more popular in LA if that Marijuana bill passes! If you’re in Hiroshima, the place to check out is Okonomimura, a multi-story building that sells nothing but these pancakes.
6. Kit Kats
A tower of Kit Kats and all the wild flavors on display
Wonder if an apple Kit Kat will keep the dentist away?
Baked potato? Soy sauce? Apples? These aren’t just delicious foods; they are also flavors of Kit Kat candy. Kit Kats, which strangely translates into “good luck” in Japanese are incredibly popular as gift here. Nestle has jumped on the trend by making literally dozens of flavors that reflect the unique tastes of foods found in Japan. So if you’re craving that hot chili or wasabi Kit Kat — you’ve found your place! You can find these in airports or any department store in Japan.
5. Soft Serve Ice Cream
Soda flavored ice cream? And why is it blue?
Kevin was ALL about the ice cream stops!
Soft serve ice cream? Again, not what you’d expect as a recommended food in Japan. “Softcream” is so popular in Japan, it’s on the same level as traditional Japanese delicacies. Across the country, you’ll find this stuff at markets, roadside stalls and even Sake breweries. Plus it’s light on the lactose (perfect if you can’t normally indulge!). Japan’s soft cream has its own range of flavors, many particular to certain cities, towns, or shops. You’ll find the standards like chocolate, strawberry but you need to check out some of the wild ones like we did such as cherry blossom, black sesame with honey or green tea. Just watch out for the wasabi ice cream. I still can’t get that taste out of my mouth! Some things are better on sushi!
4. Kobe Beef
Come hungry – you’ll have several courses leading up to the Kobe beef
You can’t pass through Kobe (right outside Osaka) without tasting some Kobe beef. Now this is a pricy meal — but my recommendation is to book a table for lunch. You’ll literally get the same amount of food for more than half the cost. At most specialty places, it’s a multi course meal so come hungry. You’ll have a choice of preparation (from grilled to steamed to shabu shabu which is boiled beef). I’d recommend doing the grilled though we did the steamed since the grilling station was fully booked. Full disclosure, we thought it was okay. Just know that all Kobe beef in Japan is thinly sliced and not your typical filet cut. It was worth it for the experience and would recommend Kobe Plaisir for the full experience.
3. Meat Skewers from an Izakaya in Tokyo’s Memory Lane
Casual and feels like a scene out of a Japanese movie. Memory Lane in Tokyo is located in the Shibuya neighborhood and is an alley full of casual joints called Izakaya. Most menus in Memory Lane are basic — skewered meats that include some kind of combo of chicken and beef. And most include a free beer! Best of all, it’s one of the cheapest meals we had in Tokyo. The alley was once a pretty seedy area – full of bars and no bathrooms so people just went on the street! But today, it’s a hot destination for visitors and young Japanese.
2. Department Store Food
Pastries in the bottom of Mitsukoshi
Food stalls as far as the eye can see
We couldn’t get enough of department stores (yes, even Kevin got into the shopping action!). But every major department store had a basement level with food shops that made me so distracted (oftentimes in my own world and not hearing full conversations with Kevin). Popular department store chains include Takashimaya, Daimaru and Mitsukoshi (just to name a few!). You can find everything from $200 melons (seriously, it’s a popular gift here) to sushi and candy. It’s heaven!
1. Fancy Meal at the New York Grill in Tokyo
Last but not least – our favorite meal (and ergh most expensive) was at the Park Hyatt restaurant New York Grill. Ironically, this is not Japanese food at all! I really loved the Japanese food but I still feel like it’s a Japanese experience – seeing the city of Tokyo sprawling out before you. The New York Grill and the adjacent bar sit atop the 52th floor of the Park Hyatt in Nishishinjuku, Tokyo. It was also made famous by the 2003 movie Lost in Translation. Getting to the restaurant from street level is a bit of a trip — involving an elevator to the sky lobby, followed by a walk from one end of the hotel to the other, to a final elevator from the sky lobby to the top 52nd floor. It’s well worth the journey – and a special night out. We spent our last night in Japan here – and a wonderful way to wrap up another memorable trip!
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