Today’s guest post is from Erica. She is the beauty & brains behind OverYonderlust.com. You can learn more about her at the end of this great post she put together for BeersandBeans.
There is something magical about Japan. Whether it is the culture, the people, or the amazing architecture found everywhere, Japan won our hearts through our stomachs. Shaun and I spent 3 weeks backpacking through Japan in 2008 and had some of the most life changing food we had experienced to date. Here are our top 5 eats to try while in Japan.
Hida Beef
I think Shaun still had dreams where he wakes drooling on his pillow with this one. There is a war going on in Japan between 2 regions – the Hida region in the Gifu Prefecture and the city of Kobe in the Hy?go Prefecture – in regards to whose beef is king. Shaun and I found ourselves enjoying the wonders of Takayama when our travel mate had pointed out that this region was known for the delicacy known as Hida beef. Being the Texan beef snobs we are, we headed to the nearest restaurant to experience this prize beef that had beat out Kobe that year in a taste competition.
There are many ways you can eat Hida. I grilled mine on an open charcoal grill. Shaun ate his on a magnolia leaf over an open flame, and our travel mate made the best decision of us three with the glorious sukiyaki version. This is a must try! Your taste buds will never be the same.
Okonomiyaki
Different regions are known for their local culinary expertise and we decided to try the Hiroshima version of Okonomiyaki per our host dad’s suggestion. My suggestion would be to ask around to find this one Okonomiyaki arcade that is hidden away and well known by the locals. You will know you have found this discreet building when you have to walk up 3 flights of stairs to the multilevel arcade. As you walk into the door, dozens of cooks and callers will be shouting at you to come to their stand.
Enjoy your choice of Okonomiyaki with a good beer and you have yourself a feast!
Please note that they are HUGE and one can feed multiple people.
Sushi
I know that it is almost a given that you have to eat sushi in Japan. The difference between sushi in Japan and sushi in the States is like comparing a golden apple to an orange you found in the discount bin.
We were lucky enough to have our host mom, Hideko, prepare us a special meal on our first night in Japan. She had spent several hours at the store gathering the fresh fish and then prepared it at home. We had a feast set in front of us and in all honesty, I couldn’t tell you how many choices we had. I do know that I like “fresh” bacon (which for all intensive purposes is raw). YUM!
Udon/Ramen
Fresh noodles differ dramatically from the dried noodles in the $.10 package you pick up at the grocery store. You can find noodles shops everywhere! There is something amazing and satisfying about the simplicity of this meal – a big bowl of broth, noodles, pork slices, and green onions. When they are feeling really fancy you get slices of kamaboko!
These are most often some of the cheapest and most filling meals you can find if you are on a budget in Japan. Just be prepared to have your stomach expand by the time you leave due to the massive amounts of noodles.
And remember, slurping is okay in Japan. It is a sign that you are enjoying the meal!
Takoyaki
This is another regional dish and is most known for originating in Osaka – where consequentially, we had tried this fried masterpiece.
Tako is the Japanese word for “octopus” and yaki denotes that it was either fried or grilled. In this case, they are fried batter balls of octopus covered in green onions, takoyaki sauce, and mayonnaise. As a native to the Southern United States, we take our fried food very seriously and this did not disappoint!
I think one of the things that is great about traveling is that it takes you out of your culinary comfort zone (if you let it), opening up many opportunities to find foods you would not normally consider. I highly suggest trying anything you come across. I had refused to eat octopus until we got to Japan and now it is one of my most favorite things in the world.
So grab your chopsticks and beer with enthusiasm!
KANPAI!
Erica is one half of Over Yonderlust. She and Shaun (the other half) are childhood sweethearts traveling the world the way they’ve traveled through life: no regrets, no missed opportunities and no rock unturned. Follow them as they add stamps to their passports one country at a time. You can find them at their website OverYonderlust.com on Twitter or on their Facebook page.
Subscribe to our feed & share the love!
Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed OR get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged. 
*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!
34 comments
Having lived in Kobe for 3 years and having splurged a few paychecks on Kobe beef, I wouldn’t write off the Kobe beef experience in favor of Hida beef. I’m not saying one is better than the other — I’m just saying, if your budget can afford it, try both!
I’d also suggest trying kushi-katsu while in Osaka — also another deep-fried specialty of the area. Kushi-katsu is, basically, deep-fried stuff on a stick, and the “stuff” can be anything from vegetables to meat to cake (yes, I have heard tales of deep-fried cake!). Some places will let you fry the stuff right at your table, but I definitely recommend you leave this job up to the professionals — gives you more time to drink your beer!
Wow, deep fried cake! That sounds gross yet good at the same time. haha@Sally,
@Sally, I totally didn’t mean to discredit Kobe – it is delicious. I think I meant to highlight Kobe’s lesser known cousin Hida. <3 Still my favorite though. 🙂
it all sounds yummy! The only Japanese I’ve ever had is sushi and chicken teryaki, so it would be cool to try something different. I definitely have to make it to Japan one day. And thanks Sally for additional recommendations!
I am limited in my Japanese food expereiences as well. Basically I’ve only had Sushi and noodles – but they are always good! @Magda @DestinationWorld,
@Magda @DestinationWorld, Just be aware that it ruins your taste buds! I can’t find anything that remotely resembles the food we had there.
Never tried the Hida beef. Agree with Sally — the kushi katsu in Osaka is amazing. We fell in love with it and I’ve made it at home a couple times lately.
If you can try both the Osaka and Hiroshima versions of okonomiyaki, I highly recommend it. Personally, I favor the Osaka version more, but the Hiroshima style was still delicious. Glad to see it made your list!
Mmmm, takoyaki! We went to the supposed most well-known one in Osaka and although my husband is not a fan of octopus or squid, he gobbled them up.
I know I’m completely in the minority, but I have been less than impressed with the sushi in Japan so far (for the price). I was pretty happy with what we tried in one of the districts in Osaka. In Tokyo, it’s just too expensive and the quality of the fish was a bit lacking (we’ve tried it on 5 or 6 trips within the last year). I think I”ve just gotten spoiled by my old sushi chef back in Los Angeles — all his fish is flown in and ironically, I like it better than what I had in Japan. Every time I go back to the US, I make sure to stop in and visit at least once or twice! I’m strange I know! 🙂
I can totally relate Erin. Strangely I had a hard time finding a pizza in Italy that truly wowed me. I have eaten some truly amazing pizza in the states and I was always waiting for that “Ah Ha” pizza moment in Italy and never found it. Thanks for sharing 🙂 @Erin,
For someone who is as obsessed with all things Japanese like I am, it’s so surprising I haven’t eaten anything besides sushi and noodles as well. When and if I ever go to Japan, I’m definitely trying some of these other dishes out.
I agree, Randy is already dreaming about a lot of these meat dishes! @Sheryll,
I had all of these except the beef while in Japan (I had Kobe though, yum!) The list is spot on and making me incredibly hungry for Okonamiyaki right now… that soy and mayo sauce combo is freaking amazing.
I have never tried that sauce – it’s one of those things that sounds gross but is probably good and now I have confirmation! Thanks Jeremy 🙂 @Jeremy,
@Jeremy, all I can say is, NOMNOMNOMNOM <3
I love Japanese food, close to where I live here in Shanghai there is a food court with different kinds of restaurants and the Japanese is one of my favourite. I love how the chefs cook right in front of you!
Thanks for commenting Angela – Shanghai sounds like fun!@Angela,
I love udon too. It’s really nice to have the soup here when it was snowing outside. I bet it taste better in Japan. Great list!
@Sarah Wu, The one place I went to get udon recently went out of business and made me incredibly sad. We have a million Vietnamese restaurants in Austin but very few restaurants that specialize in Japanese cuisine.
Aww, there’s not many in Austin? It’s big city I thought it will have alot Jap food place. : ( can u make ur own udon hehehe
HIDA BEEF!!! The mere mention causes drool to form…
It’s official. Randy is going to hae to try it!@Rebecca,
Takoyaki is not fried, but baked.
Okonomiyaki of Osaka is better than that of Hiroshima.
If you took to Udon, Sanuki is the most popular and Nagoya Kishimen and Akita Inaniwa are also well-known.
As for Ramen, Tonkotsu of Kyuushuu is recommendation as far as you do not mind the smell.
In addition to these kind of B-class gourmet, there are arranged foreign food such as Curry rice, Gyouza, etc and they are yummy.
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your comment – You sound like you really know what you’re talking about. 🙂@Ken,
Hello everybody .I’m Japanese guy . I hope you can understand my poor English.
You understand Japanese food very well , thank you . And I hope you keep at eating Japanese food !!
I was surprised , when I go to Austraria . Almost Austrarian believed Japanese sauce are soy sauce and teriyaki sauce ! I don’t think teriyaki sauce is not so faborite in Japan.
Every foreign traveler come Japane then enjoy Japanese dishes !
Japanese have many kind of dishes and sauce .
If you come Kobe Ican intoduce you many things ! Give me the E-mail .
See you !! Enjoy travel !
Hi Yasushi, Thank you so much for commenting! Your English is very good! I’m happy to hear that about teriyaki sauce, it’s not my favorite either. 🙂 @Yasushi Kawata,
Here is Similar Story
Donburimono:Donburi is a large rice bowl and the “mono” (lit. things) refers to the delicious toppings laid over the bed of rice.
Okonomiyaki:It’s not really a pancake, or a pizza, definitely not a crepe but it’s certainly delicious.
Yakitori:Literally grilled chicken, there is so much more to these skewers that can contain the full range of chicken bits, meat, liver, heart, cartilage and skin.
Ramen:These long Chinese noodles have become the staple of the Japanese fast food industry.
Izakaya:This is the ultimate Japanese communal eating experience that can only be described as Japanese tapas.
Wow – the Okonomiyaki sounds awesome! @Charter Bus DC,
This post totally make me drooling! Okonomiyaki, it’s been so long time I don’t have it.
Other Japanese food that I love are gyudon and tempura.
I have had Tempura and I love it. I have been craving it so bad lately!@Dina,
Hida Gyuu is amazing. Have you tried the Hida Gyuu sushi in Takayama. It is one of my favourites.
Japan Australia
yum! i love japanese food – you’ve picked some good ones!
Comments are closed.