What draws people so much towards Japanese food culture? Many travellers say the first thing that surprises them is how every dish feels simple yet full of care. You notice this warmth in small noodle shops and busy markets. This is where food in Japan becomes more than a meal because it reflects everyday life and old traditions that still shape the country. You see it in fresh seafood, light flavours and tiny details that locals never overlook.
If you plan a trip with Japan tour packages, you will notice how each region has its own taste and story that grows from its climate and history. This blog shares a list of twenty food items in Japan along with small highlights that spark curiosity. You will find interesting facts that add a fresh layer to each dish. Explore the list and let your next favourite flavour find you.
Top 20 Foods You Should Try When You Visit Japan
Here is a list of twenty dishes that travellers love when they look for the best food to eat in Japan. Each one reflects the heart of food in Japan and shows how flavours change from street corners to quiet towns. Explore the mix and see which dish becomes your favourite.
1. Sushi
Sushi tastes incredibly fresh the moment it hits your tongue. The fish gets sliced cleanly, and rice is pressed by hand just enough to stay together. You get soft textures and gentle flavours that don't fight each other. Some spots add a dab of wasabi, others skip it. People appreciate it because every piece shows careful work and proper technique. It's also one of the simplest ways to experience food in Japan as it was meant to be.
Average Price: about 800 to 2500 INR (about 1500 to 4500 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Sushi Dai, Sushizanmai, Kyubey
2. Ramen
Ramen bowls are full of flavour that builds over time. The broth simmers for hours, sometimes the entire day, creating something really deep and rich. Different areas make it differently. Some go for thick pork broth, others stick to lighter soy or miso bases. The noodles have a satisfying chew and toppings add variety. A steaming bowl warms you up perfectly on chilly evenings. Many people notice the cost of food in Japan seems fair after eating proper ramen.
Average Price: about 600 to 900 INR (about 1100 to 1700 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Ichiran, Ippudo, Afuri
3. Tempura
Tempura comes out light and crunchy because the batter stays thin and frying happens fast. Prawns, pumpkin, sweet potato or mushrooms get that golden colour without soaking up oil. Inside, they're still tender, which creates a nice contrast. Locals and tourists both order it regularly. You'll spot it in casual counter spots and posh restaurants too, which really highlights how food prices in Japan shift depending on the place you choose to eat at.
Average Price: about 900 to 2200 INR (about 1700 to 4000 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Tempura Kondo, Tsunahachi, Tenmatsu
4. Sashimi
Sashimi is all about freshness. The fish is sliced neatly and served without heavy seasoning, so you taste its natural flavour. Tuna, salmon and seasonal fish all have slightly different textures, which makes the experience interesting even with simple ingredients. People who enjoy clean, cool bites often fall in love with it. Many travellers pick sashimi when choosing food to eat in Japan because it shows how important quality is.
Average Price: about 700 to 1800 INR (about 1300 to 3300 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Tsukiji Outer Market, Nishiki Market, Umi Tokyo
5. Udon
Udon brings comfort with thick, bouncy noodles that feel soft and pleasant. They sit in a mild broth or sometimes come chilled with a dipping sauce. The taste is simple, which makes it easy for anyone to enjoy. Many travellers who try familiar Indian food in Japan eventually shift to udon because it feels gentle and easy on the palate. It is one of the dishes you can enjoy anywhere, from small family shops to big chain places.
Average Price: about 350 to 700 INR (about 650 to 1300 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Marugame Seimen, Shin Udon, Inaniwa Udon Stores
6. Soba
Soba has a light, earthy taste that comes from buckwheat flour. Some people enjoy it chilled, others prefer it in a warm broth, and both versions feel clean and soothing. The noodles have a firm bite, which makes them great for quick meals. You notice how simple dishes also shape the variety of food in Japan. Many people first hear about soba when they look up what the famous food in Japan is, and want something traditional yet easy to try.
Average Price: about 350 to 800 INR (about 650 to 1500 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Yabu Soba, Honmura An, Matsumoto Soba Shops
7. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki feels fun because it cooks right on the grill in front of you. The mix of cabbage, batter and toppings turns into a thick savoury pancake with crisp edges. The sauces on top bring sweet and smoky flavours together. It is one of those dishes that shows the homely side of food in Japan. People often come across it while searching for the most popular fast food in Japan, especially in Osaka, where it is loved by everyone.
Average Price: about 600 to 1000 INR (about 1100 to 1900 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Mizuno Osaka, Okonomimura Hiroshima, Chibo
8. Takoyaki
Takoyaki is a warm, soft snack with a gentle crunch on the outside. The batter cooks in round moulds and holds small pieces of octopus inside. Once topped with sauce, mayo and bonito flakes, it becomes a flavourful street bite that feels fun to eat while walking around. It gives visitors an easy way to explore food in Japan. Many travellers notice it right away in busy streets known for food famous in Japan, especially in markets and festival stalls.
Average Price: about 300 to 500 INR (about 550 to 900 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Gindaco, Kougaryu Osaka, Aizuya
9. Tonkatsu
Tonkatsu is all about the contrast between the crisp panko crust and the juicy pork inside. The cutlet fries till golden and stays tender even after adding the mild, sweet sauce. A plate usually comes with cabbage to keep the flavours balanced. It shows how comforting food in Japan can be when simple cooking is done with care rather than complexity.
Average Price: about 700 to 1500 INR (about 1300 to 2800 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Tonkatsu Maisen, Tonki, Katsukura
10. Yakitori
Yakitori brings the aroma of charcoal grilling in every bite. Small pieces of chicken cook slowly over the flame so they stay moist while soaking up the glaze. Each skewer tastes a little different depending on the cut you choose. This dish fits naturally into the lively night scene and shows another warm, casual side of food in Japan that people enjoy without planning or formality.
Average Price: about 250 to 500 INR per skewer (about 450 to 900 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Omoide Yokocho, Torikizoku, Bird Land Ginza
11. Kaiseki
Kaiseki is a multi-course meal where each dish is prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. You usually get small servings like grilled fish, steamed vegetables, a clear soup and rice. Flavours stay light so you can taste each item properly. Many travellers choose kaiseki when they want food to buy in Japan that feels traditional and carefully made.
Average Price: about 3500 to 11000 INR (about 6500 to 20000 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Gion Karyo, Kikunoi, Ishibashi
12. Donburi
Donburi is a rice bowl topped with meat, fish or vegetables. Gyudon has thin-sliced beef, katsu don has fried pork cutlet and other versions come with tuna or salmon. The sauce from the topping mixes into the rice which makes the bowl flavourful and filling. It is one of the simplest everyday meals and a good example of how varied food in Japan can be. Many people pick it while searching for food in Japan to try it for a quick lunch.
Average Price: about 400 to 900 INR (about 750 to 1700 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Yoshinoya, Sukiya, Tsukiji Donburi Shops
13. Curry Rice
Curry rice comes with a thick curry sauce poured over steamed rice. The curry is mild and slightly sweet and usually includes carrots, potatoes and onions. It has a steady, warm taste that suits all ages and is very common in homes and school lunches. This dish has grown into one of the popular food in Japan because it is easy to cook and easy to enjoy.
Average Price: about 300 to 700 INR (about 550 to 1300 JPY)
Best Place to Try: CoCo Ichibanya, Go Go Curry, J.S Curry
14. Mochi
Mochi is made by pounding glutinous rice until it becomes soft and stretchy. The texture is chewy and smooth, and some versions are filled with red bean paste or fruit. There are also grilled versions that turn crisp on the outside. Mochi is sold everywhere, from festivals to small shops, because it is simple to make and easy to carry.
Average Price: about 100 to 250 INR (about 200 to 450 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Nakamise Street, Kagetsudo, Gion shops in Kyoto
15. Gyoza
Gyoza are pan-fried dumplings filled with minced meat, cabbage and garlic. They turn crisp on the bottom and stay soft on top after steaming. The filling tastes savoury and light, and dipping sauces add a sharp or salty edge. They work well as snacks or side dishes and are found in both small local shops and busy restaurants.
Average Price: about 200 to 450 INR (about 350 to 850 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Harajuku Gyoza Lou, Gyoza no Ohsho, Utsunomiya Gyoza shops
16. Shabu Shabu
This hotpot meal involves cooking paper-thin meat slices in boiling broth. The meat cooks in seconds because it's sliced so thin, staying incredibly tender. You dip each piece in sesame or ponzu sauce before eating. Vegetables and tofu go into the same pot, making the broth tastier as you cook. It's interactive dining that's fun with friends. The cost of food in Japan for shabu shabu depends heavily on the meat quality you choose.
Average Price: about 1500 to 3500 INR (about 2800 to 6500 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Nabezo, Shabu Shabu Let Us, Imafuku
17. Sukiyaki
Beef, tofu, mushrooms and noodles cook together in a shallow pan with sweet soy sauce. Everything simmers in this rich, slightly sweet broth that coats each ingredient beautifully. The beef stays soft and soaks up all those flavours. Japanese families often make this for celebrations or cold evenings. You'll notice food price in Japan vary quite a bit when comparing neighbourhood spots to fancier sukiyaki restaurants across different cities.
Average Price: about 1600 to 4000 INR (about 3000 to 7500 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Asakusa Imahan, Yoshizawa, Kitamura, Osaka
18. Onigiri
These triangular rice balls are shaped by hand and filled with things like tuna mayo, salted salmon or pickled plum. The rice stays firm, and seaweed adds a nice crunch. You can grab them from any convenience store or station. They're cheap, filling and easy to carry around. Onigiri works great as food to eat in Japan when you're rushing between places or just want a simple snack.
Average Price: about 80 to 200 INR (about 150 to 350 JPY)
Best Place to Try: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson
19. Miso Soup
Fermented soybean paste mixed into hot water makes this daily soup. It has tofu, seaweed and spring onions in it. The taste is mildly salty and comforting without being strong. You get it with almost every traditional meal. It shows how food in Japan takes basic stuff and turns it into something warm and essential that people have been drinking for generations.
Average Price: about 100 to 200 INR (about 200 to 350 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Most local restaurants, miso speciality shops, traditional ryokans
20. Matcha Desserts
Ground green tea powder gives sweets an earthy, bitter edge. Matcha shows up in cakes, ice cream, biscuits and those soft serve cones everywhere. The bitterness works well with sugar, making an unusual taste. These treats show a fun, modern side of food in Japan. Speciality tea shops keep experimenting with it, mixing old ingredients into new desserts that tourists really enjoy trying.
Average Price: about 200 to 600 INR (about 350 to 1100 JPY)
Best Place to Try: Tsujiri, Nana’s Green Tea, Uji Tea Shops in Kyoto
Conclusion
Exploring different dishes across Japan shows how much variety one country can offer. You find light meals, rich bowls, quick snacks and slow-cooked plates, and each one tells a small part of daily life. It becomes easy to see why people travel just to eat here because there is always something new to try. These twenty dishes are a good starting point for anyone who wants to understand food in Japan without feeling overwhelmed. You can mix street food with traditional meals and enjoy them at your own pace. Try the dishes that match your taste and let your trip grow from there.
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