Ranking of Japanese food (local cuisine, sushi restaurants, ramen shops) that foreigners must try

update date 2024/06/10

This site introduces products through an affiliate program.

Japan is known as one of the world's great gastronomic powers and has nurtured a unique food culture. Sushi, tempura, and ramen are some of the Japanese foods known around the world, but there are still many other fascinating gourmet delicacies to be found in Japan, such as the local cuisine of each region and dishes that showcase the skills of its artisans.

Therefore, we would like to introduce, in a ranking format, some Japanese foods that foreign tourists should definitely try at least once in their trip to Japan. When you travel to Japan, please refer to this article and enjoy delicious Japanese food.

Now let's check out the rankings!

▼Goandup Picks Click here for recommended articles!

Required before studying abroad! Goandup Nihongo+, an online Japanese language learning service
- This page introduces services for foreigners who wish to study in Japan or improve their Japanese language skills to learn Japanese online.
Goandup Salon" community for foreigners living in Japan
- We introduce an online community where foreigners living in Japan can exchange information and interact with each other to support their life in Japan.
Goandup Study" supports foreigners who want to study in Japan.
- This section introduces study abroad support services that provide comprehensive support to foreigners who wish to study in Japan, from preparation for study abroad to living in Japan.
Where can I buy a prepaid SIM in Japan? Recommended SIM cards for foreigners are also introduced.
- How to purchase a prepaid SIM and suitable SIM cards for foreigners.
The Complete Guide to Pocket Wi-Fi in Japan for Foreigners!
- We introduce how to select and recommend pocket Wi-Fi products that can be used conveniently in Japan.
The Complete Guide to Finding a Job in Japan! Finding a job, changing jobs, and part-time work for foreigners
- This site provides foreigners who want to work in Japan with comprehensive information on how to find a job, recommended job sites, and other information necessary to find a job.

Ranking of Japanese food you would like foreigners to try

Japan is known worldwide for its unique food culture. Japanese food was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, and its popularity is increasing year by year in other countries as well. However, Japan has not only Japanese food, but also local cuisine from all over the country, ramen, sushi, and many other dishes, each with its own unique flavor.

Here we introduce, in a ranking format, some of the many Japanese foods that are particularly popular among foreigners and that we recommend you to try at least once.

1st Sushi

Sushi, synonymous with Japanese cuisine, is one of the most popular Japanese foods among foreigners. The exquisite combination of fresh ingredients and rice is an unforgettable taste once tasted. In particular, authentic Edomae-zushi, carefully prepared one by one by artisans, is an exquisite dish. Sushi restaurants at famous markets such as Tsukiji Market in Tokyo and Nishiki Market in Kyoto are very popular among foreign tourists.

2nd Sashimi

Sashimi, fresh seafood served raw, is another popular Japanese food among foreigners, along with sushi. As an island nation, Japan is blessed with an abundance of seafood, making it possible to enjoy fresh and delicious sashimi in a way that is not possible in other countries. Various types of sashimi are available, including tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and squid, and each fish has its own unique flavor and texture. Sashimi is usually served with soy sauce and wasabi (Japanese horseradish), but it is also recommended to add ponzu (Japanese citrus juice) or yuzu kosho (citrus peppercorn).

3rd Tempura

Tempura, with its crispy batter and delicious ingredients inside, is another popular Japanese food among foreigners. Tempura is made with a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, vegetables, and mushrooms, each with a different texture and flavor. In particular, yuba tempura, made with yuba (yuba leaves), which is famous in Kyoto, and wild vegetable tempura are uniquely Japanese. Tempura is usually dipped in tempura sauce, but it is also recommended to eat it with salt. You can enjoy the crispy texture and flavor of the ingredients.

4th Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki, which consists of beef and vegetables simmered in a sweet and spicy warishita sauce and dipped in beaten eggs, is another popular Japanese dish among foreigners. The contrast between the texture of the tender beef and the crunchy vegetables is exquisite, and the dish goes well with rice. The seasoning of warishita differs between Kanto and Kansai styles. Kanto style is soy sauce-based and has a light flavor, while Kansai style is miso-based and has a rich flavor. Another interesting point is that people have different tastes when eating sukiyaki, depending on whether they prefer it with or without an egg. Foreigners are encouraged to try both ways of eating sukiyaki.

5th Gyoza

Gyoza, with its crispy skin and juicy gravy, is a very popular Japanese food among foreigners. Although Japanese dumplings were introduced from China, they have evolved in a way unique to Japan, with a thin skin and a large amount of vegetables. The bean paste with garlic, ginger, and other savory vegetables is a perfect accompaniment to beer or sake. National chain gyoza specialty restaurants such as Gyoza no Ohsho and Osaka Ohsho are popular, but gyoza at local Chinese restaurants and izakaya (Japanese style pubs) are no less delicious. We encourage foreigners to compare gyoza from different restaurants.

No. 6 Udon noodles and soba noodles

Udon and soba, two of Japan's most popular noodle dishes, are also popular Japanese foods among foreigners. Udon is a thicker noodle made from wheat flour and characterized by its sticky texture. Soy-sauce based dipping sauces are common, but there are many variations such as curry udon and wild vegetable udon. Soba, on the other hand, is a thin noodle made from buckwheat flour, and is characterized by a good thirst-quenching texture. Most soba noodles are dipped in soy sauce-based sauce, but like udon, there are many other varieties, such as soba with mountain vegetables and soba with tempura. Foreigners are encouraged to compare both types of noodles and taste the charm of each.

No.7 Takoyaki

Takoyaki, which originated in Osaka, is a B-class gourmet dish popular among foreign tourists. The takoyaki is a round dough cooked in a takoyaki cooker, filled with octopus fillets, green onions, red pickled ginger, etc., and topped with sauce and aonori (green laver). When you bite into a hot takoyaki, the octopus flavor overflows from the inside, and the outside is crispy and the inside is tender. Many takoyaki restaurants line the streets of Dotonbori in Osaka, and many foreign tourists can be seen happily enjoying their takoyaki.

No.8 Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a dish made by mixing ingredients such as cabbage, pork, and seafood into a flour-based batter and baking it. It is one of the most popular Japanese dishes among foreign tourists. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, in particular, is known as a hearty dish, characterized by the inclusion of noodles. Okonomiyaki is usually topped with sauce, mayonnaise, aonori (green laver), dried bonito flakes, and other toppings, but the variety of toppings available at different restaurants is another attraction of this dish. We encourage foreigners to compare okonomiyaki from different restaurants.

No. 9 Katsu-don (pork cutlet served on top of a bowl of rice)

Katsudon is a hearty bowl of rice topped with a pork cutlet dipped in egg and served on top of rice. It is one of the most popular Japanese dishes among foreign tourists, and once you try it, you will be addicted to the combination of the melty egg and crispy pork cutlet. In particular, Nagoya's miso katsu-don is famous as a local delicacy because of its exquisite sweet and spicy miso sauce. Katsudon is served at many restaurants throughout Japan, but the chain restaurants Yoshinoya and Matsuya are also recommended for their katsudon, which is a cosy and tasty dish.

No. 10 Ramen

Ramen is another popular Japanese food among foreigners, with a variety of soups, including soy sauce, miso, salt, and pork bone broth. Each region of Japan has its own unique ramen culture, for example, miso ramen in Sapporo, pork bone ramen in Hakata, and soy sauce ramen in Tokyo. There are also various types of ramen noodles, such as thin, thick, and curly, depending on the restaurant. Toppings are also available, such as chashu pork, nori (seaweed), menma (pickled bamboo shoots), and boiled egg, depending on your preference. We encourage foreigners to compare ramen from different regions and find their favorite one.

A must-see for foreigners! Ranking of Popular Local Dishes in Japan

In Japan, each region of the country has its own unique local cuisine. Local cuisine refers to traditional dishes that have been handed down from generation to generation in a particular region. The flavors that reflect the climate, history, and culture of the region cannot be found anywhere else. In this issue, we would like to introduce some of Japan's local cuisines in a ranking format that we hope foreign visitors will enjoy.

The selection criteria for the ranking are based on the popularity of the dish among foreign tourists, the uniqueness and rarity of the dish, and word-of-mouth evaluation on SNS. Let's check out the ranking now.

No.1 Genghis Khan

Jingisukan is a local dish representative of Hokkaido. It is a dish in which lamb or mutton (mutton) is grilled with vegetables, and is characterized by its unique and peculiar flavor. It is usually served with a sauce flavored with garlic and raayu (Chinese red chili oil), and goes great with beer. There are many restaurants specializing in Jingisukan in Hokkaido, and it is a popular gourmet spot among foreign tourists.

In particular, the head office is located in Sapporo, Japan.Japanese sweets in the form of Daruma dollsis known as a famous restaurant where you can taste authentic Genghis Khan.

No.2 Senbei soup

Senbei soup, a local dish of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, is a B-grade gourmet soup containing cracked Nanbu senbei rice crackers. The gentle flavor of chicken, vegetables, and mushrooms simmered in the soup is accented by the crunchy texture of the Nanbu senbei crackers. Nanbu senbei are crunchy rice crackers made by kneading flour and salt and baking them. By breaking them and adding them to the soup, you can enjoy their unique texture and flavor.

Hachinohe Cityport restaurantThe restaurant is well known for its authentic senbei soup at "Senbei Soup. It is recommended to stop by during a break from sightseeing.

No.3 Monja-yaki

Monjayaki is a local dish born in Tsukishima, downtown Tokyo. In this dish, ingredients such as cabbage, bean sprouts, meat, and seafood are added to a batter made of melted flour and baked. Many monjayaki restaurants line the streets of Tsukishima, making it a popular spot for foreign tourists to visit.

Among them is the "Tsukishima Monja MohejiMonjayaki is a famous restaurant with a long line of customers. The dough is fluffy, and the flavor of the ingredients is concentrated in the excellent monjayaki.

No.4 Hitsumabushi

Hitsumabushi is a specialty of Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. It is a dish of broiled eel topped with rice, and is characterized by its bold presentation. The fatty and savory flavor of the eel is irresistible. There are three ways to eat Hitsumabushi: first, as it is, second, with condiments, and finally, in chazuke (tea-ceremony dishes). It is a luxurious dish that allows you to fully enjoy the flavor of eel.

Near Nagoya Stationjacana (esp. the pheasant-tailed jasmine, Hydrophasianus chrysops)is a famous long-established restaurant popular among foreign tourists. The eel carefully grilled over binchotan charcoal is exquisite.

No.5 Akashiyaki

At first glance, Akashiyaki, a local dish originating in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, resembles takoyaki. Akashiyaki, like takoyaki, is similar in that it is cooked in a hemispherical hole in a small griddle, but it is characterized by the addition of yams to the batter. Also, unlike takoyaki, which are covered with sauce, Akashiyaki is usually eaten with a soy sauce-based sauce, but it is also delicious enough to be eaten as is.

Akashi City's "Uonotana Shopping Street" is lined with many Akashiyaki restaurants and is a popular gourmet spot for locals and tourists alike. Among them, "Akashiyakioctopus bedis a popular restaurant.

No.6 Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a typical local dish of Hiroshima. Unlike Osaka okonomiyaki, where the ingredients are mixed into the batter, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki features noodles on top of ingredients such as pork and seafood. The noodles are steamed to make them chewy and create a perfect harmony with the ingredients. Another feature of this dish is the large amount of cabbage.

There are many okonomiyaki restaurants in Hiroshima City, and among them isMitchan Sohontenis a popular restaurant with a long line of customers. You can enjoy hearty okonomiyaki with a perfect balance of thick dough and ingredients.

No.7 Motsunabe

One of Fukuoka's representative local dishes is "motsu nabe. Beef entrails (offal) are stewed in a miso or soy sauce-based broth in this nabe dish. The collagen-rich beef entrails are characterized by their melt-in-your-mouth texture. It is usually seasoned with soy sauce-based seasoning, and the secret to its deliciousness is to stew vegetables together with it. To finish the dish, rice is added to make zosui (rice porridge), or chanpon noodles are usually added.

Fukuoka City, JapanMotsu-nabe Tashuis a famous restaurant popular among locals and tourists alike. Its collagen-filled morotsu and secret sauce are highly reputed as excellent.

No.8 Bitter melon stir-fry

Goya Chanpuru is a typical Okinawan local dish. It is a stir-fried dish of bitter bitter melon, pork, egg, and tofu, and is a popular Okinawan home-style dish. The bitterness of the bitter melon, the flavor of the pork, and the richness of the egg make a perfect match in this dish. It goes well with rice and is known as a dish full of stamina.

Naha Citysoftnessis a long-established Okinawan restaurant and a favorite among locals. You can enjoy simple but flavorful Goya Chanpuru (bitter melon stir-fry).

Japanese local cuisine is full of unique dishes that make the most of local ingredients and cooking methods. We encourage foreigners to compare the local cuisine of different regions and experience the depth of Japanese cuisine. The local cuisine you encounter on your travels will surely remain in your memory for a long time, along with your memories of the area.

Ranking of the best ramen shops in Japan for foreigners

Ramen is the soul food of Japan. There are many delicious ramen restaurants throughout Japan, but this time we would like to introduce a ranking of popular ramen restaurants that we especially recommend to foreign tourists.

The selection criteria for the ranking were based on a comprehensive evaluation of the high word-of-mouth ratings by foreign tourists, the quality of language support, and the accessibility of the restaurant. We also took into consideration stores that have been featured extensively in the media. Let's take a look at the ranking now.

No. 1 Ramen Santoka

A popular ramen chain restaurant originating from Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan.Ramen Santoukais a very popular restaurant among foreign tourists. It features a pork bone-based soup with a slight seafood flavor. The noodles are medium-thick and straight, and intertwine well with the soup. Toppings include chashu pork, pickled bamboo shoots, and nori (seaweed), and can be customized to your liking. The restaurant also has an English menu, so you can order without worrying about the language. There are also outlets at major airports such as Narita and Haneda, making it a great place to stop by on your way to or from Japan.

No. 2 Kinryu Ramen

Osaka's famous and popular "Kinryu Ramenis a multi-shop 展開する ramen restaurant located in the area around Dotonbori, downtown Osaka. There are only two types of ramen on the menu: pork-based ramen and chashu-men. The clear and refreshing pork bone-based soup is rich but not greasy, making it easy to drink, and the medium-thin, straight noodles are a good match for the soup and have a good texture. Self-serve toppings can be added freely, allowing you to customize the taste to your liking. Since the store is only located in Osaka, it is a must stop by when you are sightseeing in Osaka.

No. 3 Ippudo

A popular ramen chain restaurant that originated in Fukuoka, "Ichifudon (thick Japanese wheat noodles)is a restaurant that has outlets in many countries around the world and is well known by foreign tourists. The pork bone broth is characterized by its pork bone flavor. The noodles are thin and straight, and have a good thirst-quenching effect. Toppings include chashu pork, red ginger, and takana, the standard Hakata ramen toppings. In addition to the English menu in the restaurant, the waitstaff also speaks English, so you can order without worrying about the language. There are also outlets in major tourist cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, making it a great place to stop by on your travels.

No. 4 Ichiran

This is another popular ramen chain restaurant that originated in Fukuoka.The Isran (a Dutch restaurant)". Pork bone broth is the main ingredient, and it is characterized by its rich flavor. The noodles are thin and straight. It is a simple yet impactful bowl of Hakata Ramen. One of Ichiran's unique features is that customers can dine at a counter like a private room. You can enjoy your ramen at your own pace without worrying about other customers. There is no need to worry about language as English is also available when ordering from the ticket vending machine. In addition to major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, the restaurant also has outlets overseas. The restaurant is popular among foreign tourists for its uniquely Japanese dining experience.

5th Sumire

A famous miso ramen restaurant in Sapporo, Hokkaido.violet (any flower of genus Viola, esp. the Fuji dawn, Viola mandshurica)". Sapporo Ramen" has widely established its image throughout Japan and is called the most famous miso ramen in Japan. It is also popular among foreign tourists. The rich miso-flavored soup with a hint of garlic and the firm, medium-thick noodles are synonymous with Sapporo ramen. The restaurant has an English menu, so you can order without worrying about the language. There are three stores in Sapporo, so it is recommended to stop by during a break from sightseeing. You can enjoy a bowl of ramen that not only tastes great, but is also filled with the owner's specialties.

There are many delicious ramen restaurants throughout Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. In addition to those introduced here, there are many more restaurants popular among foreign tourists. A bowl of ramen you encounter on your travels will remain in your memory for a long time, along with the memories of the place you visit. When you travel around Japan, be sure to try out a variety of ramen restaurants. You are sure to make new discoveries and encounters.

【 Great Sushi Experience 】 Ranking of Japanese Sushi Dishes Popular among Foreigners

Sushi is one of Japan's representative food cultures. The perfect balance of fresh ingredients and rice attracts gourmets from all over the world. In this issue, we introduce a ranking of recommended sushi dishes that are especially popular among foreign tourists.

The selection criteria for the ranking were based on the word-of-mouth evaluation and popularity of the restaurant among foreign tourists, as well as the variety and taste of the sushi. We also took into consideration the high skill of the craftsmen and the freshness of the ingredients. Let's take a look at the ranking now.

No.1 Nigiri-zushi

Nigiri-zushi is a classic sushi dish consisting of fresh seafood on a bed of vinegared rice (shari). There is a wide variety of nigirizushi, including tuna, salmon, shrimp, squid, and sea urchin. The bite-size portions are easy to eat and popular among foreign tourists. Tokyo's "sushi zanmaiand "Sukiyabashi Jiro", Kyoto, Japan.being piled upThere are many famous sushi restaurants throughout Japan where the craftsmanship of the chefs shines through, such as When visiting a sushi restaurant, it is recommended to sit at the counter and watch the chef making sushi right in front of you. The moment the fresh fish is brought to your mouth is an exceptional experience.

No.2 Sushi rolls

Makizushi is a type of sushi made by rolling seaweed, rice, and ingredients. California rolls, shrimp tempura rolls, and teppanyaki rolls are the standard types, and they are characterized by their bright appearance. The Rainbow Roll is popular among foreign tourists. This gorgeous dish is made with colorful ingredients such as tuna, salmon, and avocado, and is sure to be Instagram-worthy. With stores in Tokyo and Hyogo, "Meister Kobo Yachiyohas been featured many times on TV and in magazines, and is the Tokyo-based Japanese kappo restaurant ".HisamatsuyaThe "maki" sushi rolls are a specialty item. It is recommended to enjoy different types of sushi rolls while sharing with family and friends.

No.3 BARA-CHIRASHI

BARA-CHIRASHI is a sushi dish that combines the features of BARA-zushi and CHIRASHI-zushi. Ingredients are cut into small pieces like bara-zushi and scattered over the sushi rice like chirashi-zushi to decorate the dish. In addition to seafood such as tuna, salmon, shrimp, and salmon roe, colorful ingredients such as cucumber and broiled egg are used to create a luxurious taste experience. In Tokyo, it is often served as a lunch-only menu item, and is known as Tokyo's "Ginza Sushimasaand "Makoto Takumiis a popular restaurant. Please enjoy the bara chirashi, which attracts foreign tourists not only for its visual impact but also for its taste.

No.4 Oshizushi

Oshizushi is a type of sushi in which rice and ingredients are pressed together using a wooden mold. It is a local dish popular mainly in the Kansai region, with "Kakinoha-zushi" from Nara Prefecture and "Sasazushi" from Ishikawa Prefecture being the most famous. Ingredients such as mackerel or salmon are wrapped in vinegared rice and wrapped in a persimmon leaf or bamboo grass leaf. The result is elegant in both appearance and taste, and is a popular souvenir item. It is located in Nara Prefecture.Kakinoha Sushi Hyo-taroand several stores in the Hokuriku region.type of sushi with a variety ingredients sprinkled on the riceis famous for its Please try the traditional Japanese taste of oshizushi.

No.5 Temakizushi

Temakizushi is a type of sushi in which the ingredients and rice are wrapped around a sheet of nori seaweed. It is a popular dish at parties and home parties, and the appeal of this dish is that you can choose your own ingredients and roll it up yourself. The standard ingredients are tuna, salmon, and cucumber, but you can also enjoy a variety of flavors by arranging them with avocado, cream cheese, and other ingredients. Originally established in Osaka and relocated to Tokyo, Temakizushitogether with ...At the "Temakizushi" restaurant, you can make your own hand-rolled sushi using fresh ingredients and taste it yourself. This is a great place to spend a lively time with family and friends, and we encourage foreign tourists to experience Japan's hand-rolled sushi culture.

How was it? Japanese sushi cuisine is one of the world's most renowned culinary cultures, where the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the craftsmen shine through. The five genres introduced here are just a few examples, and there are many more fascinating sushi dishes such as "stick sushi" and "box sushi. We encourage foreign tourists to taste a variety of sushi dishes and experience the depth of Japanese food culture.

summary

In this issue, we have introduced, in a ranking format, the Japanese foods that foreign tourists should definitely try.

In addition to the Japanese foods introduced here, there are still many other fascinating dishes in Japan, such as yakitori, oyakodon (chicken and egg bowl), gyudon (beef bowl), and so on. We hope that foreign tourists will taste and experience a variety of Japanese foods and enjoy the depth of Japanese cuisine.

Japan's food culture is a treasure to be proud of. It will continue to fascinate people around the world. When you travel to Japan, be sure to enjoy delicious Japanese food.