Japan is a culinary powerhouse! Before I get into the three restaurants you must try in Japan, let’s talk about Japan’s food culture. Japanese food culture is so important to its society that it is classified as a world heritage. The means that it is unique and stands out from other food cultures. Centered around regions in Japan and seasonal food, Japanese kids learn the importance of food from an early age. In part, the Japanese use food to teach teamwork and responsibility.
If you get the chance to spend a considerable amount of time in Japan, you will notice that food colors and flavors change throughout the seasons. Even sushi varies throughout the country. Part of food tourism in Japan centers around this, which brings people together. It is so influential on the culture that it is only the fifth culinary heritage added to UNESCO. And, it is only one of two entire cultures to be recognized, the other being France.
Chinese and Korean foods greatly influenced Japanese cuisine. Japanese food is now one of the most popular foods in the world, and I am sure when you think of Japanese food today, you think about how delicious it is. Sushi, fish, soy-based foods, noodle soups and tempura are just a few things that come to mind.
Etiquette in Japan
No matter where you dine, there is an etiquette to eating in Japan. Let’s start with chopsticks. They are the main way to eat food in Japan. I have not at all mastered how to use them, even though I have really tried. I am sure that during my trip, many people wondered why I was staring at them. But, I was trying to figure out how to use chopsticks properly. There are a ton of things you can do wrong with chopsticks, and for most foreigners, it is easy to commit a faux pas.
- Always pick them up with the right hand
- It is best not wave them around
- Do not point chopsticks at people
- Passing food between chopsticks is not okay
- Do not stick them vertically in your food
Unlike in the US, mixing wasabi and soy sauce is not the norm in Japan. It is better to put wasabi on sashimi and then dip it in soy sauce. Also, walking down the street while eating or drinking is a big no no in Japan. This can sometimes be weird because street food is a thing in Japan. And, it seems perfectly normal to eat food and walk down the street at the same time. But, do not be surprised to see people huddled around a food stand and stuffing their faces before moving on with their day. Finally, slurping large bowls of noodles is perfectly okay and expected!
So, with all of that said, I want to share my three favorite food experiences in Japan. First of all, I ate a LOT of noodles during my trip. I love ramen and udon. It was always an amazing meal no matter how cheap or quick they were. However, I did not want to leave Japan without treating myself to some unique experiences.
1. Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511
Kobe beef is one food item on my bucket list that I was super happy to try. I am always up for succulent, tender beef, and Kobe is some of the best. Kobe is Wagyu beef from cattle raised in Japan and is considered a delicacy. It has a ton of flavor due to its fatty nature. Kobe was impossible to get in the United States between 2009-2012 because of a disease outbreak and it its still rare to find on US restaurant menus. That is why I had to have it during my trip to Japan.
Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511 is a restaurant you must try in Japan. Located in Tokyo, it came highly recommended as a place to have a Kobe food experience. I chose to do the seven course Kobe tasting menu plus a seasonal appetizer plate. Everything was well-prepared, beautifully presented and delicious. They served Kobe beef in so many different forms from raw to fried. The meal was a dream and the service was perfect.
Tips:
Getting there: I highly recommend making reservations. The restaurant website provides several options on how to get to the restaurant. I did not have a car, so I took the subway.
Dress: I think business casual is appropriate, but you can certainly dress fancy and still fit in.
Cost: $$$$
2. Kyoto Gogyo
Gogyo is also a restaurant you must try in Japan. Located in Kyoto, it is known for its burnt miso ramen noodle soup. As I have already mentioned, I love noodles. There are eight different types of noodles that are part of Japanese cuisine. Some are served hot, and others are served cold. My favorites are ramen and udon and I do not think I went a single day during my time in Japan without eating one or the other. The Japanese imported ramen from China. Now it is one of the most popular dishes in Japan and eaten all over the world. Noodles are inexpensive and the Japanese consider them to be a convenience food, especially since one can find them on pretty much any corner in the country.
There are several ramen soup bases. My favorite is Shoyu (醤油, Soy Sauce), which is a clear, brown broth flavored with soy sauce. Toppings for the soup include chashu (roasted or braised pork), moyashi (bean sprouts), tomago (hard or soft boiled egg), various types of seaweed, among other things. Usually, the only sided dish is gyoza (pot stickers).
I was intrigued by Gogyo burnt miso ramen noodle soup. I eat Ramen in the US quite often, but I had never heard of it. While, I normally do not order miso-based ramen soups, I had to try it. It was amazing. I expected to have a burnt taste, but instead it had a smoky flavor that brought out the other flavors of the dish. It was worth trying and I would love to enjoy another big bowl of burnt miso ramen soup.
Tips:
Getting there: There are a few locations in Japan, but I went to the one in Kyoto. Be prepared to wait to get seated, as the restaurant is popular. If you are only going for the ramen, then offer to sit at the bar instead of the main dining area of the restaurant to help you get in sooner. Gogyo is in downtown Kyoto, and as for all of my other outings in the city, I rode a bike to the restaurant. It is very close to Nishiki Market so it is possible for you eat at Gogyo and tour the Nishiki Market during the same outing.
Dress: Dress is casual!
Cost: $
3. Tempura Endo Yasaka
Whenever you are doing research about food in Japan, you will for sure come across tempura, or fried food. It is usually seafood or veggies. Unlike fried food in the US, tempura batter is much lighter, fluffy, and crispy. Japanese usually serve tempura it with sauce or salted without sauce. The best part is that Japanese usually serve it and eat it hot, immediately out of the fryer. Today, Japanese enjoy a lot of tempura at food stalls. It is a custom from the Endo period when it was forbidden to make tempura indoors because it was a fire hazard, since most houses were made of paper and wood. Even though that is the custom, it is worth going to a sit down restaurant to enjoy a tasting menu full of yummy fried food.
For my food experience, I chose to eat at Tempura Endo Yasaka in Kyoto. You will find mixed reviews about this restaurant, but I though it was a fantastic experience. The service was great and the food was delicious. At the restaurant, you have the option to sit at the bar right in front of the chef as he prepares every course, which I recommend. Even though I was there for the fried food, the courses included some fresh sashimi fish, which was nice. The meal was well balanced and one of the best things I ate in Japan.
Tips:
Getting there: I recommend that you make a reservation. The restaurant is not that big and it is quite popular. It is situated in an ornate wooden teahouse south of Gion. I rode the bike that my Airbnb provided for me to the restaurant. It was a little hectic getting there because the streets were crowded, but I got to see a lot of women dressed in kimonos during my ride. So, that was fun. Depending on where you are in the city, walking may be the best way to get there, while enjoying Kyoto.
Dress: I was dressed in smart casual but that was mostly because I rode a bike there. Others were in business casual or date night attire, so I was a little out of place.
Cost: $$$$ – This was one of my more expensive meals in Japan