I last visited Japan in 2012 and it's just one of the many places that I don't mind visiting and revisiting. Who can resist? Since then, while there are the foodie classics, there are the emerging (and re-emerging) food trends which hopefully stay for longer.
Here's the foodie edition, circa 2016. Before 2018 comes and this becomes more outdated than it already is.
NOT-YET JAPANESE food
1. Airplane food
We flew on Viet Airlines, and the food was pretty good, and there was a short stopover in Ho Chi Minh! We got promo tickets from a third party website, which turned out to be legit (phew)
IMPORTED to JAPANESE food
2. Lobster rolls
I've had Luke's Lobster in New York before this. It was for dinner and the restaurant (somewhere in Wall Street) was almost empty. It was good (and as usual, not cheap), but this queue in Tokyo was insane. And this was clearly a "locals" queue - tourists just can't compete (unlike an Ichiran Ramen queue (see below) - quite definitely a tourist past time).
3. KFC
Definitely not a Japanese original, but as with Kit Kat, has been given a Japanese makeover. KFC for Christmas, anyone?
4. Manneken Belgian Waffle
Yes, I was in Belgium, and yes, I had Belgian waffles in Belgium. Still, I'm pretty sure there was no matcha flavored waffles.
UNIQUELY JAPANESE food
5. Takoyaki
Our first meal in Tokyo, because the queue at Luke's is un-queueable. Granted takoyaki and stuff on metal grills (like okonomiyaki and teppanyaki) is generally more Osaka-ian fare. So any chance I get, I'd have it - whether Tokyo or Osaka.
So Osaka that there is takoyaki omiyage
Why I prefer Osaka, old but still holds true.
Osaka Takoyaki (in Dotonbori)
P.S. There is grilled wagyu beef too! Not cheap but cheaper.
6. Ramen
It's Japan. And there are tons of good ramen places. So brave the queue at Ichiran, if you are a tourist, gunning for the experience of queuing (quite sure there aren't that many locals who bother), or eating in a cubicle (but the divider can be folded away if you have company).
You get to buy from a vending machine, and customise your ramen (In one too many ways, in my opinion. I like the chef to decide, not me!).
The more English the menu, the more touristy the restaurant. Oh the best thing to do while waiting, run to the nearest Pierre Herme counter to get macarons.
7. Udon
The thicker cousin of ramen. Somehow I don't remember much about this. Maybe because there wasn't a queue. Still, it looks good!
8. Crackers
Traditional hard and crispy crackers. Not unique to Japanese (as are many food items), but with a distinct Japanese twist. And sumo? Can't beat that.
9. Katsu
When eating out, I like to eat fried foods. Only because it's too much of a hassle to fry food at home (and it's unhealthy). We were in sumo town to search for sumo hotpot but it wasn't sumo day. :( So random katsu restaurant it is. P.S. there weren't many places open, but the food was good!
10. Croquette
Given its name, it's definitely not of Japanese origin but... Variations like Hokkaido potatoes and cheese, plus the thoughtful packaging screams Japanese.
11. Gyoza (and omu rice)
There's Osaka Ohsho in Singapore. But when in Osaka, we just had to try it. Japanese gyozas or Chinese guo tie, I don't really know the difference. But Osaka Ohsho had many Chinese-inspired items, that I think the chefs and service crew are Chinese. Had the more Japanese item - omu (egg) rice. And as usual, jelat.
12. Okonomiyaki (and teppanyaki)
The other yaki-s. There is also okonomiyaki omiyage - no surprise!
It's a long wait for okonomiyaki to be cooked. Right in front of you. Torturous if you are starving.
We had okonomiyaki together as our last meal in Osaka. Yes, it's that iconic an Osakan delicacy.
SWEETS JAPANESE food
It's Japan. And there are tons of good ramen places. So brave the queue at Ichiran, if you are a tourist, gunning for the experience of queuing (quite sure there aren't that many locals who bother), or eating in a cubicle (but the divider can be folded away if you have company).
You get to buy from a vending machine, and customise your ramen (In one too many ways, in my opinion. I like the chef to decide, not me!).
The more English the menu, the more touristy the restaurant. Oh the best thing to do while waiting, run to the nearest Pierre Herme counter to get macarons.
7. Udon
The thicker cousin of ramen. Somehow I don't remember much about this. Maybe because there wasn't a queue. Still, it looks good!
8. Crackers
Traditional hard and crispy crackers. Not unique to Japanese (as are many food items), but with a distinct Japanese twist. And sumo? Can't beat that.
9. Katsu
When eating out, I like to eat fried foods. Only because it's too much of a hassle to fry food at home (and it's unhealthy). We were in sumo town to search for sumo hotpot but it wasn't sumo day. :( So random katsu restaurant it is. P.S. there weren't many places open, but the food was good!
10. Croquette
Given its name, it's definitely not of Japanese origin but... Variations like Hokkaido potatoes and cheese, plus the thoughtful packaging screams Japanese.
11. Gyoza (and omu rice)
There's Osaka Ohsho in Singapore. But when in Osaka, we just had to try it. Japanese gyozas or Chinese guo tie, I don't really know the difference. But Osaka Ohsho had many Chinese-inspired items, that I think the chefs and service crew are Chinese. Had the more Japanese item - omu (egg) rice. And as usual, jelat.
12. Okonomiyaki (and teppanyaki)
The other yaki-s. There is also okonomiyaki omiyage - no surprise!
It's a long wait for okonomiyaki to be cooked. Right in front of you. Torturous if you are starving.
We had okonomiyaki together as our last meal in Osaka. Yes, it's that iconic an Osakan delicacy.
SWEETS JAPANESE food
13. Ice cream
Only go for two flavors in Japan - Hokkaido Milk or Matcha.
14. Pierre Herme macarons
There aren't many places in the world for Pierre Herme macarons. Japan is one of them! They might be airflown from France, and when I visited, the Tokyo counters allowed you to pick and choose your flavours, but not he Osaka counters (you had to buy a set). It's authentic Pierre Herme alright, but it just doesn't taste like it should. Even squashed macarons taste better in Paris.
Unless it's Pierre Herme, in Paris no less; or something I or B make, I'm going to save my pretty penny.
Unless it's Pierre Herme, in Paris no less; or something I or B make, I'm going to save my pretty penny.
I mostly have only pistachio - and Pierre Herme is still tops.
15. Fujiya Milky
They have sweets, they have ice cream. But I like going for the cream puffs.
Again, chasing a food memory almost always ends in disappointment.
P.S. I think I got the wrong item! On closer inspection of my 2012 photo, it should be cake-like and not puff-like, with peko-chan's face printed on the outside. And the item is still sold according to Fujiya's website. #fail
Fujiya also has a sweets buffet, which I didn't try. I've more of a savoury than sweet tooth.
I chased Milky from Tokyo to the exact outlet I first had the cream puff. It's now an ice cream parlour and no cream puffs - so ice cream it is.
16. Matcha (and Japanese sweets)
Authentic matcha is not sweet. Neither are Japanese sweets. I like matcha to be sweeter (and fake-er), and I think it is hard for me to be a fan of Japanese sweets.
Even tea ceremony snacks don't appeal to me. Even if I was donning a kimono.
Matcha, matcha everywhere.
One is real, and one isn't. Go figure.
17. Cheese Tarts
This is more savoury than sweet, so it's right up my alley. Of all I've tried (3, I think, including Pablo), BAKE has to be the best. One item on the menu, nail it. It tastes good when cold, but even better when warm. As are all baked goods.
Pablo is pretty overrated in my opinion. The queue felt more touristy, but the one at BAKE was more "local" (not sure if the location of the outlet made the difference).
18. Maple leaf snacks
Momiji no Tempura - how cute does it sound. I think, it was a mixed of savoury and sweet? I don't recall but it's one of the traditional snacks that I would venture to try. Actual leaves, no syrup included! #supportlocal
19. Coffee (and pastries)
With Starbucks mushrooming everywhere, we had to make a conscious effort to avoid it and go local. Like in Ueno Park - Precious Coffee Moments by Ueshima Coffee Company
Or in the mall
20. Department Store Counters
Best place for free samples! And department stores are found at almost every major train station (if not all), Tokyo Station is huge underground.
Kawaii Pastries (which I didn't try)
Tried but not recommended
Curd? When I thought it would be sweet, it was tasteless/bitter. Which explains the manly mascot. I should have guessed.
Tried and strongly recommended (but suggest you buy at the airport - duty free and you don't have to lug it around, but it's also hand carry, not check in)
Tokyo Milk Cheese - highly recommend!
Apart from counters, there are also bakeries at the train stations. There are tons of snacks for train rides (including bentos) and theme parks and castle visits.
21. Combini food
Clearly, the most visited place in Japan. Where you can get a ton of snacks (and cup noodles) and tickets for theme parks (not Disneyland though) and buses.
(Correction, go for anything Matcha, Hokkaido, melons, or limited edition)
(This was from USJ though, but still cup noodles!)
For more "normal" cup noodles, in a gazillion flavours.
22. Chips
So special, it deserves a listing on its own. Limited edition (I can read the kanji/chinese characters on the left corner in the red circle) mystery flavour.. and milk?
Somewhat JAPANESE drinks
23. Butterbeer
One of the few places to have butterbeer, in two variations no less!
24. Cider
Cider, meh? Cider after soaking in Arima onsen (there's gold and silver baths! In separate bath houses - very authentic and cozy), yes please! Usually people have milk (in Japan) or sikhye (in Korea), but not in Arima.
25. Calpis
Yoghurt-ish, Yakult-ish, I believe. I couldn't resist 1. Autumn limited edition 2. How does Snow Salt taste like? I don't remember so I'd have to buy it again when I see it, in Japan, in summer.
They have sweets, they have ice cream. But I like going for the cream puffs.
Again, chasing a food memory almost always ends in disappointment.
P.S. I think I got the wrong item! On closer inspection of my 2012 photo, it should be cake-like and not puff-like, with peko-chan's face printed on the outside. And the item is still sold according to Fujiya's website. #fail
Fujiya also has a sweets buffet, which I didn't try. I've more of a savoury than sweet tooth.
I chased Milky from Tokyo to the exact outlet I first had the cream puff. It's now an ice cream parlour and no cream puffs - so ice cream it is.
16. Matcha (and Japanese sweets)
Authentic matcha is not sweet. Neither are Japanese sweets. I like matcha to be sweeter (and fake-er), and I think it is hard for me to be a fan of Japanese sweets.
Even tea ceremony snacks don't appeal to me. Even if I was donning a kimono.
Matcha, matcha everywhere.
One is real, and one isn't. Go figure.
17. Cheese Tarts
This is more savoury than sweet, so it's right up my alley. Of all I've tried (3, I think, including Pablo), BAKE has to be the best. One item on the menu, nail it. It tastes good when cold, but even better when warm. As are all baked goods.
Pablo is pretty overrated in my opinion. The queue felt more touristy, but the one at BAKE was more "local" (not sure if the location of the outlet made the difference).
18. Maple leaf snacks
Momiji no Tempura - how cute does it sound. I think, it was a mixed of savoury and sweet? I don't recall but it's one of the traditional snacks that I would venture to try. Actual leaves, no syrup included! #supportlocal
19. Coffee (and pastries)
With Starbucks mushrooming everywhere, we had to make a conscious effort to avoid it and go local. Like in Ueno Park - Precious Coffee Moments by Ueshima Coffee Company
Or in the mall
20. Department Store Counters
Best place for free samples! And department stores are found at almost every major train station (if not all), Tokyo Station is huge underground.
Kawaii Pastries (which I didn't try)
Tried but not recommended
Curd? When I thought it would be sweet, it was tasteless/bitter. Which explains the manly mascot. I should have guessed.
Tried and strongly recommended (but suggest you buy at the airport - duty free and you don't have to lug it around, but it's also hand carry, not check in)
Tokyo Milk Cheese - highly recommend!
Apart from counters, there are also bakeries at the train stations. There are tons of snacks for train rides (including bentos) and theme parks and castle visits.
21. Combini food
Clearly, the most visited place in Japan. Where you can get a ton of snacks (and cup noodles) and tickets for theme parks (not Disneyland though) and buses.
(Correction, go for anything Matcha, Hokkaido, melons, or limited edition)
(This was from USJ though, but still cup noodles!)
For more "normal" cup noodles, in a gazillion flavours.
22. Chips
So special, it deserves a listing on its own. Limited edition (I can read the kanji/chinese characters on the left corner in the red circle) mystery flavour.. and milk?
Somewhat JAPANESE drinks
23. Butterbeer
One of the few places to have butterbeer, in two variations no less!
24. Cider
Cider, meh? Cider after soaking in Arima onsen (there's gold and silver baths! In separate bath houses - very authentic and cozy), yes please! Usually people have milk (in Japan) or sikhye (in Korea), but not in Arima.
25. Calpis
Yoghurt-ish, Yakult-ish, I believe. I couldn't resist 1. Autumn limited edition 2. How does Snow Salt taste like? I don't remember so I'd have to buy it again when I see it, in Japan, in summer.
Not-food JAPANESE food
It's Japan, so no surprises about having food that isn't exactly (edible) food.
More on Japan coming up - less food, more travels.
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