A Foodie in Japan Uncovers The Country’s Hidden Secrets

When you say Japanese food, most people immediately think of sushi. It is far more than sushi. In fact, many historians have accredited the origin of sushi to China. But that’s a detail for a different blog. In Japan, you can dine at some of the finest restaurants in the world where culinary art is on full display. Or you can indulge in the simple joy of finding the perfect bite on the street food scene. Being a foodie in Japan is not that difficult. The food is steeped in culinary tradition making it hard to go wrong anywhere. Unless you get caught in a tourist trap. Let’s get you far away from that.

My adventure took me from the upper echelons of Tokyo to the streets of Osaka with a few stops in-between. Just when I thought I couldn’t discover anything new, something came my way that eradicated the thought. I’ll cover what I discovered here but this is only a peek inside of the culinary scene in Japan. If you are a foodie traveling in Japan, you will want to read this.

Street Food

Honestly, you can find street food anywhere in the world. But you have to get pass the idea of simply putting up a cart and selling edible fare to deeply understand street food in Japan. No foodie adventure in Japan would be complete without exploring the street food scene. Let’s start with some insight. Street food vendors are known as Yatai. They produce a huge variety of foods from piping hot noodles to meats, fish or vegetables served on skewers. The choices seem endless.

The best place to go to try some of the most amazing dishes served on a disposable tray is on Dotonbori street in Osaka. Often referred to as a ‘street food paradise’. The entire street is overwhelming with all the lights and people darting from vendor to vendor. Stay focused. Lookout for Takoyaki – which is diced octopus encased in a light batter and rolled into a ball. It’s a speciality of the region. They also call them ‘Octopus Balls’ which was very confusing to us. 

While you are there, try the yakitori (grilled meat on a skewer). This can be tricky since there are all types of meats and fish that can go on a skewer. Keep your translation tool handy and ask the right questions before indulging. Don’t try Fugo (or puffer fish) on the street. Fugo is a delicacy but is also lethal. They should only be served at restaurants in Japan where a qualified fugo handler works.

If Kyoto is in your plan, make a stop at the Nishiki Market. It’s been around for hundreds of years. Here you’ll find both savory and sweet treats to enjoy. However, you should note that many sweets are made with bean curd which may confuse the heck out of your palate. It’s not what I would call sweet. That said, to each its own.

Bougie

If you have a few hundred dollars to spare, head to one of the Michelin rated restaurants in Japan. Restaurants in Japan consistently make it to the “The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants” list . I tried RyuGin and it was amazing. Dining at one of these establishments is full of surprises. Opt for the omakase tasting menu and watch how like a well conducted orchestra, the dishes continue to take you on a culinary journey that’s hard to put in words.

A dinner at one of these fine restaurants is all about precision. They range from traditional Japanese fare to world renowned Sushi. Chefs spend years mastering a single dish in one particular area of expertise. Sushi is a great example of where a chef might spend decades to master this culinary art. From making and shaping rice, to perfecting the flavor of fish through aging, massaging, temperature control, and precision of cut makes sushi both art and science. One of the most famous sushi chefs on the planet is Jiro Ono who owns Sukiyabashi Jiro (he was 98 at the writing and still working). If you somehow manage to get in, don’t be surprised if find yourself seated next to some globally recognized dignitary.

If you are a fan of beef, then you have certainly heard of Wagyu Beef. No food lover’s visit to Japan would be complete without a serving or two of Wagyu. For context, “Wagyu” means “Japanese beef”. It’s simply an indicator that the beef was purebred in Japan. Cattle must be raised in one of four different areas with the most famous being Kobe. But before you open your wallet and spend some outrageous cash on a couple of ounces, check the menu for the Grade. A5 is the highest grade that Japanese wagyu beef can get, making it the most expensive. Once you are clear, prepare your palate for the most wonderfully smooth bite of beef you will ever taste.

Going Local

There is nothing quite as fascinating as watching a chef behind the counter prepare something that looks simple yet burst with flavors in your mouth. But don’t ask for extra soy sauce or wasabi like we do in some western countries. We made this faux pas. The server, puzzled, advised “the chef has provided everything you need”. And they were right. I couldn’t understand how he as able to pack so much flavor in one piece of nigiri.

Just outside the Tokyo Fish Market, you can find some of the best local cuisine available in Japan. Seems odd to stand in a long line to grab one of 5 seats to eat sushi at a counter for a few minutes of gratification but it’s totally worth it. But don’t just try the sushi, there is so much more to delight your palate. Slurp up some Raman, try fresh uni or discover the hidden flavors of Gyoza dumplings.

At home

Finally, if you are fortunate enough to book an “in-home sushi making class”, do it. Our guide met us at the fish market to purchase fresh goods and then welcomed us to her home to make sushi. We learned the art of making the perfect rice (seasoning and all). I also learned that wasabi is a plant and it looks similar to ginger or turmeric. True artisans grate it fresh for each dish. It was so much fun to learn about the history and her experience in Japan as we connected over food. Of all the adventures for a foodie in Japan to embrace, this one topped my list and did not disappoint.

My View

I’ve only touched the surface of the amazing food scene in Japan. For such a tiny country, the demographic is vast and so is the food scene. If you are a foodie traveling in Japan, you are in for a treat. Japanese people have some of the highest life expectancy in the world. It could be the food and I am here for it.