1. Sushi: Japanese Rice Dish
Sushi is one of the popular Japanese rice dishes that comes to mind when considering Japanese cuisine. This delicacy was one of the first Japanese foods to be transported to the United States during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Its popularity has steadily grown over the years. ‘Sushi’ refers to any Japanese rice dish seasoned with rice vinegar. Some popular types of sushi are:
- Makizushi (sushi rice and fillings wrapped in nori seaweed)
- Nigiri sushi (shaped, bite-size mounds of sushi rice with single slices of raw fish or similar draped over the top)
- Inarizushi (sushi rice stuffed inside pockets of inari, a type of seasoned, fried tofu).
The key to this dish is the rice (surprise, surprise), if you want to learn how to correctly prepare rice the Japanese way check this out: How to cook rice with a rice cooker (Japanese style)
2. Tofu: Japanese Vegetable Dish
What is tofu? It is coagulated soy milk squeezed into blocks. These blocks come in various firmnesses. Tofu is popular in Western countries as a health food or as an alternative to meat. However, in Southeast Asian countries such as Japan, tofu is a staple of the traditional cuisine. You can eat it by itself (possibly with a few savory garnishes), boiled in a hot pot. You can also fry them into excellent pieces of aburaage to serve as a garnish. It is one of the most popular Japanese vegetable dishes.
Want to try tofu in its most delicious form, like you see in the image above? Learn how to prepare an Easy Miso Soup (味噌汁）
3. Yakitori: Barbecue Chicken Skewers
While people in the US might grab a bowl of chips or a hot dog at a sporting event, the Japanese grab some yakitori. Yaki, which means ‘barbecued chicken’, are little skewers of bite-size chicken pieces. They are seasoned with salt or coated with a sauce, or tare, made of mirin rice wine, soy sauce, sake alcohol, and sugar. There are numerous variations of yakitori, but the most popular are:
- Momo (chicken thigh)
- Negima (chicken with spring onion)
- Tsukune (chicken meatballs).
Learn how to make Kushiage & Kushikatsu, a delicious deep fried variation of Yakitori.
4. Ramen: Japanese Noodle Soup
Ramen is a noodle soup dish made up of wheat noodles (also known as ‘ramen noodles’), a savory broth, and meat, protein, and/or vegetable toppings. It can include sliced pork, nori seaweed, spring onions, bamboo shoots, and so on. Ramen is one of Japan’s most popular dishes today. It is inexpensive and frequently available in restaurants and ramen bars. Indeed, Japanese ramen is so popular that Tokyo has a ramen-themed museum and amusement park.
Got hungry and want to prepare your own Okinawa soba (沖縄そば) ?
5. Natto: Fermented Soybeans
Natto is made by fermenting soybeans with a specific type of bacteria found naturally in the human gastrointestinal tract. It has a pungent smell comparable to moldy cheese, and a sticky/slimy texture that many people dislike. However, many other people enjoy these fermented soybeans for their full-bodied salty and savoury (or umami) flavor and their high nutritional content.
6. Tamagoyaki: Japenese Folded Omelette
Looking for Japanese egg dishes? Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten to add that on our list. Tamagoyaki (‘cooked egg’) is a Japanese omelette produced by cooking and rolling up several layers of beaten egg (often seasoned with soy sauce and/or sugar). A newly cooked tamagoyaki resembles a rolled-up crêpe. It can be sliced and eaten on its own (typically for breakfast) or as a topping or filling in sushi. Tamagoyaki-topped nigiri sushi is a popular last meal at sushi bars because the tamagoyaki has a subtle sweetness. It makes it almost dessert-like.
7. Tonkatsu: Fried and Breaded Pork
Tonkatsu is produced by coating pork chops in crispy panko breadcrumbs and deep-frying them until golden brown. They are typically served drizzled in a fruit-and-vegetable-based tonkatsu sauce, with shredded cabbage and other crisp salad greens on the side. Tonkatsu is also commonly eaten as a bento box lunch, in a Japanese curry (known as ‘katsu curry’), or as sandwich stuffing.
8. Sukiyaki: Hot Pot Stew
The name ‘sukiyaki’ means ‘cook what you like’. Sukiyaki is a Japanese nabemono hot pot dish that is especially popular in the winter. It is cooked by searing beef slices, sukiyaki broth (typically made with soy sauce, sake, mirin rice wine, and sugar) and various vegetables, noodles, and proteins.
9. Okonomiyaki: Japanese Pancake
Okonomiyaki is produced by mixing batter, sliced cabbage, and other savory ingredients, spooning it onto a hot plate, and pan-frying it like a pancake. Okonomiyaki originated in Osaka and Hiroshima, and its popularity extended throughout Japan. Here you will find special okonomiyaki restaurants. They will allow you to prepare the okonomiyaki yourself, providing a very enjoyable cooking experience.
10. Nikujaga: Japanese Meat and Potato Stew
Nikujaga beef and potato stew is a flavorful savory dish. It is made with meat, potatoes, and different vegetables cooked in soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar. It is one of a collection of Japanese foods known as ‘nimono’ (meaning ‘simmered things’). It is a homely dish whose flavour varies from family to household.
If you want to make your own Nikujaga, check out this neat and easy Pressure Cooker Nikujaga Recipe I found for you guys!
Conclusion
Hope you got some idea about the best Japanese dishes. Japanese cuisine is more than simply food. It is an experience that reflects the country’s strong appreciation for nature, culture, and craftsmanship. All these easy Japanese dishes show a piece of Japan’s spirit. By experiencing these legendary Japanese meals, you will taste great flavors and immerse yourself in centuries of culinary evolution and cultural expression. Let this be your wonderful introduction to a world where every meal celebrates harmony, beauty, and flavor.
