7 Must-Try Japanese Foods

Onigiri
Onigiri is basically a Japanese rice ball, which may or may not have a filling—and there’s a wide variety of filling options. Onigiri is a food that marked my childhood and brings back emotional memories, as Japanese parents usually prepare onigiri for their children to take on picnics and outings. It’s the most common snack in Japan. You’ll find onigiri in convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, as well as in more homemade-style onigiri shops, which we think usually taste better.

Ramen
Ramen, like sushi, is already known worldwide. In Japan, there’s a ramen restaurant every few steps. It might be the easiest food to find on the streets. Japanese people eat ramen in their daily lives, especially after a long day of work. We noticed that some ramen restaurants were open at 10 a.m., and people were already sitting and eating ramen at that time.

Obentō
A bento is like the Japanese version of a lunchbox. It can include different ingredients, but most of them have gohan (white rice), which is essential in any meal. Bentos are a great option to buy at train stations to take with you on your travels around the country, as they’re easy to carry and eat on the train. Some bentos even come with a heating system inside the package—just pull a string and keep the lid closed for a few minutes, and it heats up! It seemed like magic—we were shocked when we discovered this.

Dango
This is one of my favorites. A great snack between meals. It’s a skewer of rice dumplings, basically, and they can come in different colors or with different toppings. My favorite is the dango with a sweet soy sauce glaze. The sticky texture of the rice with the sweet and salty sauce is the perfect combination. You’ll usually find it at street food stalls or even in convenience stores.

Unagi
Unagi is freshwater eel, and in Japan, it’s often grilled over charcoal with a special seasoning and served over rice. The flavor is delicious, indescribable, and unique. This isn’t one of the cheapest dishes, but it’s definitely worth trying at least once.

Natto
Not everyone will enjoy this fermented soybean dish, which has the kind of smell you’d expect from a fermented food—not exactly pleasant. Its texture and appearance don’t help either. It’s no wonder that even some Japanese people don’t like natto, but I personally love it and could eat it every day. It’s worth noting that natto has many health benefits. Some more local-style restaurants serve natto, and it’s usually very cheap. The restaurant chain Sukiya is very affordable and serves natto. You can also find it in convenience stores.

Mochi
One of my favorite foods is mochi—whether it’s filled with sweet red bean paste (anko), nuts, or even unfilled and fried with soy sauce. It’s made from rice and has a chewy texture, which I really like. You can find mochi in convenience stores and street stalls, and of course, the more handmade it is, the tastier it tends to be.