The Japanese cuisine (和食 washoku) is a delicious and highly unique cuisine which offers a wide variety of traditional and regional delights. Japanese food has been largely influenced by international cuisines but in the last few decades, it has also managed to make its own contributions to western countries, most popular of which is sushi.

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Japanese food is largely based on rice and noodles combined with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dishes commonly consist of fish & seafood (raw or grilled) and vegetables (raw, cooked, or pickled). Both vegetables and seafood can also be fried in batter or added to broths. Meat dishes became popular with the modernization of the country, in the late 19th century.

Here is a list of 10 of the most beloved Japanese foods that will broaden your culinary knowledge and enrich your dinner menu.

#1 Sushi

As mentioned before, sushi is the most popular Japanese food worldwide. The term ‘sushi’ refers to any recipe made with Japanese short-grain rice and seasoned with rice vinegar. Common varieties of sushi include shaped mounds of sushi rice with slices of raw fish on top, sushi rice and fillings rolled up in seaweed, and sushi rice stuffed inside fried tofu pockets. Westernized versions include sushi salads, bowls, pasta sushi, sushi nachos and much more!

Spicy California Roll Sushi Nachos

#2 Noodles

There are two main noodle varieties in Japan – udon, thick wheat noodles, and soba, thin buckwheat noodles. Both varieties find their way in different recipes including stir fries, hot pots, and soups.

Peanut Sesame Slaw with Soba Noodles

Spicy Black Pepper Shrimp with Udon Noodles

#3 Ramen

Ramen is basically a noodle dish, but due to its rise in popularity over the past few years, we’ve decided to list it separately. Millennials and hipsters all over the world seem to love this noodle soup and for that reason, you’ll find it on many food trend lists online. It consists of special ramen noodles made of wheat and salty broth made of four basic ingredients (miso, soy sauce, pork bone, and salt). Toppings may include other types of meat, tofu, and vegetables such as nori seaweed, bamboo shoots, and spring onions.

Homemade Spiced Ramen with Tofu

#4 Okonomiyaki Pancake

Translated as ‘grilled as you like it’, this large, savory pancake truly lives up to its name. It is based on batter and sliced cabbage; the rest of the ingredients and condiments is up to you. In the States, this so-called ‘Japanese pizza’ is one of the most popular ways to use up leftover foods.

Okonomiyaki Japanese Pancake

#5 Sashimi

Sashimi is composed of very thin raw fish or meat slices often served with daikon, wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce. Unlike sushi, sashimi is never served with rice. Some sashimi varieties are quite controversial due to the use of unusual meat types like dolphin and whale meat. Sashimi must be made with fresh fish in order to ensure better taste but also to avoid contamination. You can combine several types of sashimi-grade fish in a single recipe (for instance, salmon, yellowtail, and fresh ahi).

Sashimi Poke

#6 Tofu

In Western countries, tofu is one of the most popular healthy foods due to the fact it is gluten-free and low in calories. It is also one of the favorite vegan and vegetarian protein sources. In Japan, tofu is a traditional ingredient consumed on regular basis by everyone. This Japanese food is made of coagulated soy milk, pressed into solid blocks. Tofu blocks come in different levels of firmness and can be cooked in different manners, including boiling, grilling, and frying. Tofu can also be consumed raw, combined with savory garnishes. You can even include it in dessert recipes!

Pan Fried Sesame Tofu with Broccoli

Chocolate Tofu Pudding

#7 Miso Soup

Miso (a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soy beans) is considered one of Japan’s staple foods. Miso soup, by analogy, is one of the most bellowed Japanese dishes! Miso soup recipes are based on miso paste and dashi broth, complemented with other ingredients of choice such as seaweed, onion, or tofu. The fact that miso soup enhances the flavor of the main dish makes it a favorite side dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Kale, Butternut Squash and Mushroom Miso Soup

#8 Edamame

The green, immature soy beans are to people in Japan what peanuts and snacks are to us. They are served boiled or steamed, seasoned with a little salt, but are also a common salad ingredient. Edamame beans offer a significant nutrient punch – they’re rich in protein, dietary fiber, and micronutrients like vitamin K, folate, manganese, and phosphorus.

Edamame Summer Salad with Radishes

#9 Oden

Oden is Japan’s favorite winter dish! This hot pot is based on a light dashi broth complemented with soy sauce and ingredients like boiled eggs, mochi rice cakes, processed fish cakes, daikon, tofu, and konjac yam. However, ingredients can vary depending on the region. Oden is served in a large pot at the center of the table and often seasoned with karashi mustard.

Oden Recipe

#10 Yakitori

Yakitori translates as ‘burned chicken’ or ‘barbecued chicken’ and that’s just what it is – chicken pieces skewered on metal or bamboo sticks and grilled over a charcoal fire. The meat is seasoned with salt and tare sauce (soy sauce, rice wine, sake, and sugar). There are many different types of yakitori chicken including chicken meatballs and chicken thigh. Due to the ease of preparation, yakitori is a very popular street food in Japan and a go-to dish during sports nights.

Yakitori – Grilled Chicken Meat Balls

Bonus – Japanese Desserts

‘Wagashi’ is a common term that encompasses all traditional Japanese sweet treats. The most commonly used traditional ingredients are mochi, rice cakes made of short-grain glutinous rice, and red bean paste. The latter is used as a filling for doriyaki pancakes, a delight especially popular among kids in Japan.

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Modern Japanese desserts can also contain green tea, which is especially popular as an ice cream ingredient. Speaking of ice cream, Japanese love their shaved frozen dessert called kakigōri. Here are two ideas to tackle your imagination:

Green Tea Ice Cream

Red Bean Mochi Bars

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