＊You can also read this article in Korean and Taiwanese. Please click on the links below.일본의 풍부한 요리 세계를 탐험해 보세요: 독특한 지역 음식의 즐거움!探索日本豐富的美食世界：獨特而地方特色的美食！Exploring Japan's Rich Culinary World: Unique and Regional Food Delights!Japanese foods, now popular worldwide as Washoku, goes beyond traditional dishes like Kaiseki cuisine and sushi. Japan boasts countless other unique and exquisite regional delicacies. How many are you familiar with?From Gourmet Delicacies to Soulful Comfort Food: Exploring Japan's Diverse Culinary LandscapeSince Japanese cuisine (Washoku) was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2013, attention has been drawn to Japan's dining and culinary traditions by people around the world. Traditional Japanese cuisine stands out for its healthy ingredients and lower calorie content compared to many other cuisines, sparking an unprecedented global craze for Japanese food. However, beyond well-known dishes like sushi and traditional kaiseki cuisine, there are many other Japanese specialties that remain relatively unknown worldwide. Additionally, not all Japanese dishes are healthy, as there are also plenty of deep-fried options! This article explores the diverse array of Japan's unique culinary offerings, from regional delicacies to local comfort foods.Explore Your Favorite Japanese Foods in the Following Articles!In the following articles, we have picked out several Japanese traditional dishes and provided detailed information about them. If you are curious about any particular dish, be sure to give it a read! We also introduce other dishes later in this article, so be sure to read until the end![Kaiseki] Let's Explore Kaiseki Cuisine! Culinary Culture Evolved from Kyoto's Tea Ceremony[Shabu-shabu] Experience Authentic Shabu-Shabu in Japan![Yakitori] Have You Ever Tasted the Best Yakitori?[Kushikatsu / Kushiage] The World's Popular Dish, Osaka's Soul Food[Tempura] Best Tempura: Discovering Authentic Tempura in Japan![Omakse] What is the meaning of “Omakase”?Introduction to Original Japanese CuisineFirstly, let's talk about Sushi, a dish that everyone knows. In the past, sushi served in sushi restaurants overseas was often adapted and served differently in each country (such as the California roll in the United States). However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend towards authentic sushi, where raw fish is served with just soy sauce and wasabi, similar to how it is done in Japan. Another dish that has been rapidly gaining popularity and is a must-try when visiting Japan is "Kaiseki cuisine," which can be described as the representative dish of Japanese cuisine, served meticulously like a Western course meal.Tempura and Sukiyaki are names you have probably heard before. Sukiyaki is one of the dishes under the category of "Nabe Cuisine," where you cook and share at the table using a large pot. ("Nabe" means pot in English.) Along with Sukiyaki, Shabu-Shabu (mainly beef) and Mizudaki (mainly chicken) are also popular dishes under this category of Nabe cuisine.Another popular dining option in Japan is Teppanyaki restaurants, similar to Japanese steak houses. Teppanyaki cuisine, cooked on a hot iron plate called "Teppan," is prepared by chefs in front of guests, typically featuring meat, vegetables, and seafood. Teppanyaki restaurants often serve premium Japanese Wagyu beef.With the increasing popularity of Wagyu beef worldwide, Yakiniku restaurants have also become very popular recently. Yakiniku involves grilling high-quality Wagyu beef on a grill, allowing excess fat to drip off, making it a healthier option. Another dish similar to Yakiniku but with its own unique style is Genghis Khan, a regional specialty from Hokkaido. Since becoming a trend nationwide in Japan, Genghis Khan can now be found everywhere, featuring lamb grilled on a distinctive iron plate.For something different, there is Fugu (blowfish) cuisine and Unagi (eel) dishes. Fugu is a poisonous fish, but in Japan, where it has been eaten for centuries, it can only be served by chefs with a special license, ensuring the safety of Fugu dishes. Unagi, traditionally not favored by Westerners due to its appearance, has gained popularity in recent years even outside Japan, with Uanagi sushi becoming a popular choice. As a result, Japanese Unagi specialty restaurants have gained attention internationally.Casual Dining and Local Cuisine in JapanIn Japan, in addition to the dishes mentioned earlier served in upscale restaurants, there are plenty of dishes that can be enjoyed casually at more affordable eateries. One of the recent favorites is Yakitori, where meat and vegetables skewered on sticks are grilled slowly over a unique charcoal grill. Although the name "Tori" (chicken, bird) is attached, various other ingredients besides chicken are also offered. Similarly, Kushiyaki follows almost the same concept, while Kushikatsu/Kushiage involves frying similar ingredients in oil. While these eateries were originally mostly casual in the past, there are now many upscale establishments catering to high-end clientele.Tonkatsu, a Japanese-style breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, is another popular dish that is widely enjoyed, even in households. At Tonkatsu specialty restaurants, the highest quality pork and oil are used for preparation.For more casual enjoyment, Japan offers dishes like Curry-rice, Omurice, as well as various noodle dishes such as Soba, Udon, and Ramen. Furthermore, Okonomiyaki, a soul food from Osaka and Hiroshima, has become famous nationwide and even among overseas tourists.Finally, for those looking to sample a variety of Japanese dishes all in one place, there is the Izakaya. Izakaya establishments serve food alongside alcoholic beverages. Izakayas can be found all over Japan, offering a wide range of Japanese dishes (menus vary by restaurant). There are also many chain Izakayas with nationwide presence, making it easy and convenient to try out Japan's unique cuisine.Discover the Best Izakaya Where You Can Enjoy Japan's Unique Cuisine!We introduce a selection of Izakayas where you can enjoy Japanese foods. If you find a restaurant you are interested in, please feel free to send a reservation request through our service. We always try to provide the best experiences for tourists visiting from abroad to help you enjoy the finest experiences in Japan!
