Making the Most of Japan's Food Culture
Japan is full of some of the best food in the world, to the point where it can be hard to know what to eat when you come here. While it is easy to simply go out and find good staples like sushi or tempura, each region in Japan has local delicacies worth checking out. Plus, depending on when you are in the country, there are seasonal sweets and dishes you should try.
So let's look at some local "B-class gourmet" food in Japan, limited-time seasonal sweets in late winter and early spring, plus a couple more fun recommendations for how to enjoy food in Japan.
Japan's B-Class Gourmet
In Japan, B-class gourmet (known in Japanese as B-Kyu gurume) consists of local, affordable, and delicious comfort foods reflecting the unique flavors of each region in the country. Here are some must-try dishes from every major region in Japan.
Hokkaido
・Soup Curry
A unique Hokkaido specialty, this dish features a spicy, flavorful curry broth filled with large chunks of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers, along with tender chicken, pork, or seafood. It is usually served with rice on the side.
・Jingisukan (Genghis Khan)
A popular grilled dish made of mutton or lamb, cooked on a special metal skillet. The meat is marinated and grilled alongside vegetables such as cabbage and onions, making it great dish to enjoy with others.
・Butter Corn Ramen
A variation of miso ramen, this dish incorporates Hokkaido's famous dairy by adding butter and sweet corn on top, enriching the broth.
Tohoku
・Wanko Soba (Iwate)
A unique experience where diners are served small bowls of soba noodles in rapid succession, often as part of a challenge to see how many bowls they can consume. Some people are able to make it through more than a hundred bowls before tapping out!
・Harako Meshi (Miyagi)
A rice dish cooked in a salmon broth, then topped with fresh salmon flakes and bright orange salmon roe. It is a seasonal delicacy enjoyed in autumn.
Chubu
・Hōtō (Yamanashi)
A hearty noodle soup made with thick, flat udon noodles simmered in a miso-based broth with pumpkin, mushrooms, and other seasonal vegetables.
・Miso Katsu (Nagoya)
A regional take on the popular dish tonkatsu, featuring deep-fried pork cutlet topped with a thick, rich red miso sauce. People will travel to Nagoya specifically to try this dish.
Kansai
・Okonomiyaki (Osaka)
A savory pancake made with shredded cabbage, meat, and seafood, cooked on a griddle and topped with a sweet-savory sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. You will find small okonomiyaki restaurants just about anywhere you look in Osaka.
・Kushikatsu (Osaka)
Deep-fried skewers of meat, seafood, and vegetables, served with a special dipping sauce. Locals love to enjoy kushikatsu while out drinking.
Chugoku & Shikoku
・Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki (Hiroshima)
A unique version of okonomiyaki where, rather than all the ingredients mixed together, they are instead layered. The layers usually consist of egg, cabbage, soba, or udon noodles, then pork. It has a unique texture and flavor different from Osaka's.
・Bari Soba (Yamaguchi)
Crispy fried noodles topped with a thick, starchy sauce containing vegetables and seafood.
Kyushu & Okinawa
・Hakata Ramen (Fukuoka)
A rich and creamy tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen, served with thin noodles, garlic, and pickled ginger. The smell and flavor is truly unique and unmistakeable.
・Chicken Nanban (Miyazaki)
Crispy fried chicken coated in a tangy vinegar sauce and topped with tartar sauce.
・Soki Soba (Okinawa)
A regional noodle dish featuring a light pork-based broth, topped with tender simmered spare ribs.
Seasonal Sweets in Late Winter & Spring
February and March are usually strawberry season in Japan, meaning you will find strawberry-based sweets all across the country. Japanese strawberries are known for their sweetness, fragrance, and juiciness, making them ideal for sweets.
Limited-Time Strawberry Sweets
Here are some popular strawberry sweets you can usually find in stores or restaurants during this time of year.
・Ichigo Daifuku (Strawberry Daifuku)
A whole fresh strawberry wrapped in red bean paste and soft mochi. One of the most popular strawberry sweets in Japan, it has a wonderful contrast between tartness and sweetness.
・Strawberry Parfaits
Layered desserts with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, ice cream, and crunchy toppings. You'll find these in just about any cafe or dessert shop.
・Convenience Store Strawberry Treats
During this season, all major convenience store chains (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) release limited-edition strawberry sweets, such as strawberry roll cakes, éclairs, and even strawberry-flavored pudding.
Sakura-Flavored Sweets in March
Though cherry blossoms don't start blooming until late March or April, throughout March you will begin to see sakura (cherry blossom) flavored sweets replacing strawberry ones. Here are some popular sakura sweets in Japan.
・Sakura Mochi
A traditional pink rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in a salted cherry blossom leaf. It is traditionally enjoyed during Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day) and hanami (cherry blossom viewing).
・Sakura Latte
Coffee chains like Starbucks and usually release seasonal sakura-flavored beverages, including lattes and frappuccinos infused with cherry blossom essence.
・Sakura Macarons
Delicate French macarons infused with cherry blossom flavor. These pastel pink treats are widely available at specialty patisseries and department store confectionery sections in the spring.
Other Ways to Enjoy Food in Japan
Here are a few ideas for how you could find even more ways to enjoy Japan's incredible cuisine.
・Visit a Local Market
Visiting local markets is a great way to experience regional flavors and sample fresh ingredients. Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo, Nishiki Market in Kyoto, and Hakodate Market in Hokkaido are three very popular markets worth checking out if you are in any of those cities.
・Experience a Kaiseki Meal
Kaiseki is Japan's traditional multi-course dining experience, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and artistic presentation. Many ryokan (traditional inns) and high-end restaurants offer kaiseki meals. They usually feature seasonal sashimi, grilled fish and meat, soups and simmered dishes, and traditional desserts.
・Take a Cooking Class
Many places across Japan offer cooking classes for locals and tourists. This is a great way to not only learn about Japanese culture but learn how to create traditional dishes or sweets, such as wagashi. (Japanese sweets)
These are just a few of the dishes and ways you can experience Japan's food culture. When you come here, take the time to explore, try new things, and discover everything the country has to offer.
