As a first-time traveler to Japan, I had one major goal: eat as much authentic Japanese food as I could. From the streets of Osaka to tiny Tokyo alleyways, I tried everything from hearty comfort meals to iconic street snacks — and I’m sharing my top 20 must-try foods with you.
If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, this guide will give you a taste of what not to miss!
🍜 1. Ramen
We had our first bowl of ramen in Tokyo, which was a great intro — rich broth, soft-boiled egg, and springy noodles. But the best ramen I had was in Fukuoka, at a tiny, no-frills shop my family took me to. It felt truly local — quiet, authentic, and full of regulars. The tonkotsu broth was deep and creamy, and the noodles were thinner, just like Hakata-style ramen is known for.
➡️ If you can, try ramen outside the tourist areas — local spots often serve the most memorable bowls.
🍡 2. Dango
This chewy rice dumpling on a stick became a favorite snack during my shrine visits. The sweet soy glaze (mitarashi) is a simple but delicious treat.
➡️ Often sold at street festivals or near temples.
🍥 3. Mochi
Mochi quickly became my all-time favorite Japanese food. Lucky for us, a Japanese native friend living in Tokyo took us to a small café called Saryosuisen, near the metropolitan buildings. After enjoying a stunning city view from the top, we savored authentic mochi that completely changed my perspective. Until then, I thought mochi was the same as the daifuku I’d eaten back in France — but this was the real deal: soft, chewy, and delicate. That moment made me appreciate how much depth there is in Japanese sweets.
🍈 4. Melon Pan
We first discovered melon pan at a convenience store and ended up eating it in every city we visited. The sweet bread with its crisp, cookie-like top and fluffy center quickly became a daily favorite. But the highlight was definitely the freshly made melon pan we found in Nara, near the train station on the road to the deer park. Warm, soft, and just a little sweet — it felt like a perfect little treat after exploring the park.
➡️ Try both convenience store and freshly baked versions to taste the difference!
🍜 5. Soba
Before going to Japan, I had no idea noodles could be cold — and not just edible, but totally addictive. I discovered cold soba noodles in Japan, and they quickly became one of my favorite things to eat. Light, nutty, and incredibly refreshing, they became a go-to meal during our trip. We had soba in almost every city we visited — each place offering a slightly different take.
Now, soba is a summer staple in my kitchen, and I even created my own way of preparing it at home. If you’re curious, you can check out my soba noodle recipe here:
👉 How I Make Cold Soba at Home
➡️ Don’t hesitate to try soba cold — it’s one of Japan’s simplest and most refreshing culinary gifts.
🍙 6. Onigiri
Oddly enough, onigiri was one of the foods that made us most excited to visit Japan. We’d heard stories about how good even the simplest convenience store rice balls were — and they lived up to the hype. Every morning, we found ourselves walking straight to 7-Eleven or Lawson, impatient for our daily onigiri fix.
My go-to was grilled salmon, while my travel partner loved tuna mayo. Wrapped in nori with just the right amount of salt, it was the perfect, satisfying breakfast on the go — and cheap, too.
➡️ Tip: Try different flavors at each konbini — they all have their own specialties.
🥞 7. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a must-try when you go to Osaka. It’s a savory pancake made with shredded cabbage, batter, and toppings like pork, shrimp, or cheese — all griddled to crispy, golden perfection. We had ours at a small local shop right in front of Osaka Tower (Tsutenkaku), and the setting made it even better.
Topped with mayo, tangy okonomiyaki sauce, and dancing bonito flakes, it was rich, satisfying, and totally fun to eat. Watching it cook right in front of us added to the experience.
➡️ Try Hiroshima-style too if you’re traveling beyond Osaka — it’s layered and includes noodles!
🐙 8. Takoyaki
Takoyaki is another absolute must-try in Osaka. These crispy, golden balls are filled with diced octopus, green onion, and tempura scraps, then topped with sweet-savory sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes. We grabbed a serving right in front of our hotel after a long day exploring the city — and it hit the spot.
Still steaming hot and slightly gooey inside, it was the perfect end-of-day snack. That first bite — soft, savory, and just a little chewy — is something I won’t forget.
➡️ Best eaten hot, fresh off the grill — and ideally standing on a busy Osaka street.
🐖 9. Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu — a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet — is another delicious Japanese comfort food I came to love. Served with shredded cabbage, a side of rice, and a rich, tangy tonkatsu sauce, it’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
It’s worth noting: Tonkatsu is not the same as Tonkotsu, which is a creamy pork-based ramen broth (also incredible!). In fact, I tried both — and each deserves its own spotlight.
➡️ If you love pork, try both: crispy Tonkatsu for a meal and Tonkotsu ramen for a soul-warming bowl of noodles.
🍵 10. Matcha Desserts
Matcha was everywhere in Japan — and I tried as many matcha desserts as I could. From rich matcha parfaits to creamy matcha tiramisu, every version had its own unique flavor. One of the best treats? Matcha ice cream — earthy, slightly bitter, and incredibly refreshing, especially on a hot day.
We tried some of the best matcha sweets in Uji, near Kyoto, which is famous for its green tea. You can even find matcha-flavored KitKats and mochi — it’s truly a dessert lover’s dream.
➡️ Pro tip: Go for the soft serve in Uji or at tea specialty cafés — the flavor is deeper and more balanced.
🍶 11. Sake
Sake wasn’t new to me — I was first introduced to it by Japanese friends back when I lived in Berlin. But tasting sake in Japan was a whole new experience. We enjoyed it at a cozy izakaya, sampling everything from dry to fruity varieties. The freshness, the setting, and the way it paired with food — it all made it more meaningful.
I even brought a bottle home as a souvenir. Drinking it now takes me right back to those warm evenings in Tokyo, and to the friendships that first introduced me to Japanese culture.
➡️ Try sake both warm and chilled — different temperatures bring out different flavors.
🍣 12. Sushi
Of course, we had to eat sushi — we were in Japan! But strangely enough, we didn’t eat it as often as we thought we would before the trip. While sushi is iconic, Japan’s food scene is so diverse and exciting that we naturally ended up trying all kinds of other local specialties.
That said, the sushi we did have was unforgettable — fresh tuna, sweet prawn, and even sea urchin, served with care and simplicity. Whether it was a standing sushi bar or a quick conveyor belt meal, each piece tasted like it came straight from the ocean.
➡️ Even one good sushi meal in Japan can beat years of sushi experiences elsewhere — so don’t skip it, just don’t be surprised if you get sidetracked by other amazing dishes!
🍤 13. Tempura
I already knew what tempura was before going to Japan — crispy, lightly battered vegetables or seafood — but having it in its country of origin made all the difference. Tempura is a true Japanese specialty, and it showed in both the quality and presentation.
We didn’t always seek it out as a main dish, but it often appeared as a side in many of our meals — perfectly fried shrimp, sweet potato, or eggplant, served with dipping sauce and grated daikon. Whether on its own or with soba, tempura added a satisfying crunch to everything it touched.
➡️ Even the most casual restaurants serve excellent tempura — so enjoy it whenever it shows up.
🍳 16. Omurice
We really wanted to try omurice after watching a viral TikTok video of a man expertly making it. So, when we were in Kyoto, we tried to get a reservation at his popular restaurant — but it was fully booked.
Luckily, we still got to enjoy omurice in Tokyo, and it was very good. The fluffy omelet wrapped around ketchup-flavored fried rice was comforting and delicious — a perfect fusion of Western and Japanese flavors.
➡️ If you spot an omurice place, don’t hesitate to try it, even if it’s not the viral spot — chances are it’ll still be amazing!
🍚 15. Oyakodon
Oyakodon wasn’t new to me, thanks to my Japanese friends, but it’s absolutely a must-eat when you’re in Japan. The ones I had in Tokyo were so local that English wasn’t really spoken at the restaurants we visited. We had to rely on a translator app to order, but that didn’t take away from the deliciousness.
The dish — tender chicken and eggs simmered in a flavorful broth over rice — felt like a comforting hug on a plate. Those simple, authentic bowls made me appreciate home-style Japanese cooking even more.
➡️ Don’t be afraid to visit places where English isn’t spoken — sometimes the best food is found off the beaten path.
🥟 16. Gyoza
How could we ever miss gyoza while in Japan? Almost every time we sat down for ramen at a restaurant, we’d order a plate of gyoza to share. These pan-fried dumplings, crispy on one side and tender on the other, were the perfect complement to our bowls of noodles.
Whether filled with pork, cabbage, or a mix of vegetables, gyoza added that extra layer of flavor and texture we craved. Sharing them made meals feel more communal and fun.
➡️ Look for places famous for their gyoza — some spots have their own secret recipes!
🍗 17. Karaage Chicken
To our surprise, karaage chicken was easy to find in supermarkets — not just convenience stores, but the big supermarkets too. There were even fresh-made karaage sections with seating spaces to eat right there!
Besides enjoying it as a quick snack, we also ordered karaage as a side dish with meals like ramen. The crispy, juicy chicken perfectly complemented our bowls of noodles, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Just a friendly reminder — don’t forget to clean up your mess if you eat there; the Japanese take pride in keeping public spaces tidy.
➡️ Try karaage from supermarkets and restaurants alike for a delicious taste of Japan.
🥩 18. Kobe Beef
We had heard about Kobe beef, but it wasn’t initially on our must-try list in Japan. Then a friend of a friend, who was from Kobe, suggested we visit the city while we were in Osaka.
Kobe turned out to be a chill, relaxing place to spend a few hours — and since we were there, we gave the famous beef a try. We were not disappointed. The meat was tender, flavorful, and truly a special treat.
➡️ If you get the chance to visit Kobe, trying the local beef is a must — it’s an unforgettable culinary experience.
🍢 19. Yakitori
Yakitori is a staple in most izakayas — casual Japanese pubs where friends gather over drinks and small plates. We enjoyed delicious skewers of grilled chicken parts and vegetables around the lively Golden Gai area in Tokyo, and also savored them in cozy spots in Kyoto.
The smoky, savory flavors paired perfectly with cold drinks, making yakitori a great way to wind down after a busy day of exploring.
➡️ Don’t miss yakitori when visiting izakayas — it’s a true taste of local nightlife.
🐟 20. Taiyaki
Taiyaki, the fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste (or sometimes custard or chocolate), is a delightful Japanese treat. We ate taiyaki in Kyoto and absolutely loved the taste — warm, slightly crispy on the outside, and soft inside with a sweet filling.
It’s a perfect snack while strolling through the historic streets of Kyoto, especially when you need a little pick-me-up.
➡️ Try taiyaki fresh off the griddle for the best experience!
🏁 Final Thoughts: Eating Our Way Through Japan
Traveling through Japan as a first-time visitor was a sensory journey — not just for the sights and sounds, but for the incredible variety and depth of food. While we had a few expectations (hello, sushi and ramen), so many flavors and experiences caught us by surprise: from cold soba becoming a summer staple in our home kitchen, to mochi so fresh it redefined what we thought it was.
We discovered that eating in Japan isn’t just about the food — it’s about the people, the culture, the little side streets, the convenience stores, and the local tips that lead you to unforgettable bites. Sometimes it was a friend’s recommendation, other times a quiet corner of a supermarket or a last-minute Google search that led us to something delicious.
If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, we hope this list inspires you to eat widely, eat curiously, and most of all — eat with joy. And remember, the best meals often come from the most unexpected places.
🍱 Have you tried any of these foods in Japan? Or do you have a favorite I missed? Leave a comment below!