My Top Five Favorite Japanese Foods

Growing up, food has been one of the ways I’ve stayed connected to my culture; my mom is from Japan and my dad is American. Living in Fresno, there weren’t too many connections to Japan, so my mom’s cooking was an important way to experience her culture, which I was lucky enough to experience when visiting family in Japan. Although my mom’s cooking is a good replication of Japanese cuisine, the authenticity of ingredients in Japan makes the food there outclass anything available in America. During my visits I’ve tried many different foods and have thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the different dishes. Whether it’s homemade recipes, traditional family restaurants, or national chains, Japan’s cuisine rarely disappoints. That being said, I wanted to share my top five favorite foods from Japan which are must haves when visiting. 

5. Onigiri from 7-Eleven 

Onigiri are rice balls, typically served with seaweed and a filling. They provide a perfect snack to boost your energy if you’re on the go or need a quick meal. When visiting Japan, personally, I believe there is nothing better than arriving on your first day, getting off the plane after a 9-hour flight, and enjoying an ikura (salmon roe) rice ball from a 7-eleven. If the idea of convenience store fish makes you hesitant, know that Japanese convenience stores are extremely clean and high quality compared to their American counterparts. Of course, you can also get high quality onigiri from restaurants, but combini onigiri are convenient and delicious, and you also have access to a wide selection of other food and drink. I recommend trying Oronamin C, a popular energy drink 

4. Tempura 

Tempura are foods breaded in panko bread crumbs, and deep fried for a light and crispy crust. With its origins in foods brought to Japan by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century, Tempura has long been a part of Japanese culture, and is one of my personal favorite foods. I enjoy shrimp tempura the best, which goes great with soba noodles. 

3. Tonkotsu Ramen 
Tonkotsu Ramen has a broth made with pork bones and is my favorite kind of ramen. It has a rich flavor, and some of my favorite memories are eating Tonkotsu Ramen with Chashu (pork) and gyoza (dumplings) with my cousins. This is a must have, and a classic of Japanese cuisine. 

2. Sushi 

Likely the most well-known dish from Japan, sushi can be found in every town. Although you can go to an expensive restaurant to get high quality sushi, my fondest memories of the dish are going to conveyor belt sushi restaurants with my family. Even the cheapest restaurants in Japan are better than the expensive restaurants of America, so I would recommend trying it if you get the chance.  

1.Sukiyaki 

Sukiyaki is my #1 food of all time but is not well known outside of Japan. Sukiyaki is thinly sliced beef and vegetables, cooked in front of you in a little pot. The cooked food is then dipped in a beaten egg (which tastes far better than it sounds). My grandma would make this whenever we would visit her, so it gives me a feeling of nostalgia when I eat it. It goes great with rice and miso soup as well and is a Japanese dish that is underappreciated in the West! If you want to learn more about this dish, including its origins and a recipe, check out this article by savorjapan.com:

All of these foods can be found in Japanese chains and supermarkets, will taste extremely good, and be relatively cheap. If you are willing to pay a bit more for quality, local restaurants will take these recipes to the next level and are worth the extra price. Either way, I hope you are able to try some of these and make just as fond memories as I have.