Lee Shu ShienSpeak of Japanese cuisine and mouth-watering images of ramen, sushi, tempura, takoyaki, tonkatsu and perhaps Japanese curry and wagyu beef are instantly conjured in your mind. But if these are the only things you have on your “Foods to Eat in Japan” checklist, boy, you sure are missing out! Certainly, these are extremely delightful Japanese foods that have been popularised abroad, but don’t be fooled, for what constitutes Japanese cuisine is so much more diverse than is usually represented.
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1. Tsukemen つけ麺
Image Credit: CLF | Flickr
Unlike the typical ramen we know, tsukemen is a kind of “deconstructed” ramen. The chewy wheat noodles of tsukemen are separated from the hot, thick broth that is usually pork or fish-based. The tip is to dip just a few strands of noodles in the broth right before you eat them. That way, the dense broth that coats your noodles will guarantee rich, full flavours that will flood your senses like magic (I mean it). Triple hoorays if your tsukemen comes also with pork slices, bamboo shoots, hard-boiled eggs and dried seaweed sheets!
2. Abura soba 油そば
Image Credit: ClieistD | Flickr
Personally, abura soba is the most under-appreciated Japanese noodle dish ever. Even in Japan, its name is relatively unknown outside of the few hotspots in central Tokyo. Literally “oil noodle”, this dry version of ramen is a simple dish that is sometimes likened by Singaporeans to their very own bak chor mee. This soupless dish is usually served in three different types of oil bases: soy sauce, salt and chilli. You can find abura soba in the vicinities of Takadanobaba and Waseda (in Shinjuku ward).
3. Oyako-don 親子丼
Image Credit: Yuichi Sakuraba | Flickr
Ignoring the rather sadistic etymology of its name (literally, “parent-child rice bowl”), oyako-don is the perfect concoction of two of everyone’s favourite things: chicken (the parent) and egg (that’s it – the child). Sliced onions are sometimes added to the bed of runny scrambled eggs to make a more fragrant lunch pick-me-up. Oyako-don tastes especially heavenly with shichimi tougarashi (Japanese chilli pepper made out of seven different spices). It’s a mystery why oyako-don is hardly popularised abroad.
4. Ochazuke 茶漬け
Image Credit: Min | Flickr
Ochazuke may look plain but its flavours are not to be underestimated. The essence of this dish lies in the hot green tea that is to be poured over steamed rice. To enhance the savoury taste of this dish, umeboshi and other tsukemono (pickled vegetables) are also presented as sides. Top the soupy bowl of rice with some furikake for a light but tastier Japanese meal.
5. Omu-riceオムライス
I tried, but perfect fluffy omelettes cannot be put down into words simply. So here’s a video of the best omurice in Japan to compensate.
6. Okonomiyakiお好み焼き
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Okonomiyaki is Japan’s take on savoury pancakes. The batter is basically made out of flour, water, eggs and shredded cabbage, but extra ingredients such as meat (usually slices of pork belly), seafood (like octopus and shrimp), mentaiko (which is marinated fish roe), mochi and/or cheese are also included for a more satisfying eat. The Hiroshima version even has a layer of yakisoba noodles for an extra carb-load of delectable goodness. The ending touches of okonomiyaki black sauce and mayonnaise with seaweed and bonito flakes make the teppan fare even more irresistible!
7. Monjayakiもんじゃ焼き
Image Credit: Hideya HAMANO | Flickr
Monjayaki shares common ingredients with okonomiyaki, but its ingredient ratio and cooking method are different, resulting in a runny consistency. Instead of distributing the food into separate bowls for consumption, the point of monjayaki is to share and eat it directly from the teppan (hotplate) that is in front of you with a mini spatula. Surely, eating is a social affair! Its appearance may put you off, but don’t judge this underrated dish by its looks before you try it. You may fall for it, hard.
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8. Hayashi riceハヤシライス
Image Credit: マイコ 相澤 | Flickr
Hayashi rice resembles the usual Japanese curry rice we know, except that instead of curry, steamed rice is eaten with demi-glace stew that is prepared with red wine and tomato sauce. Beef slices, onions and mushrooms are common ingredients of the stew. While largely new to most of us, its popularity in Japan is not inferior to the well-known Japanese curry!
9. Motsunabe もつ鍋
Image Credit: Yasuhiro Chatani | Flickr
Nabe in general, is surprisingly one of the most underrated Japanese dishes ever. You may argue that this Hokkien swear word soundalike is too similar to our local version of steamboat (fair enough), but try motsunabe. A stew that is made with beef or pork offal (mainly guts and intestines), motsunabe promises to be rich in protein and collagen!
10. Nikujaga 肉じゃが
Image Credit: Norio NAKAYAMA | Flickr
Nikujaga is a homely dish that can also be found in izakaya (Japanese-style pubs). While it is typically eaten as a dish with rice and miso soup at home, in izakaya, nikujaga is more like a light side dish to go with alcohol. Potatoes and either sliced or minced meat are stewed in Japanese sweet soy sauce. Occasionally, carrots and onions are also boiled together to make it more flavourful.
11. Taiyaki 鯛焼き
Image Credit: Jon Åslund | Flickr
Perhaps you know about taiyaki thanks to its regular appearances on mangas and animes. However, it is surprising how many travellers visiting Japan miss out on this fish-shaped pastry when they are actually there! Traditionally filled with red bean paste, taiyaki is now also available in custard, chocolate, black sesame paste and cheese fillings. Don’t forget to eat it while it’s hot and fresh!
12. Uni (sea urchin) sushi うに寿司
Image Credit: rc! | Flickr
Next time you’re having sushi in Japan, don’t just order salmon and tuna sushi like every other tourist. Some sushi establishments provide English menus so asking for one to look up on what else they offer won’t hurt. If there is one underrated sushi that I have to recommend, it will unquestionably be uni sushi. The orange-coloured, raw sea urchin melts in one’s mouth into this creamy, custardy texture with a sweet, sweet tang that reminds one of the oceans. It’s puzzling that many tourists are unaware of this fine local delicacy comparable to the French foie gras!
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12. Kushikatsu (串カツ)
Image credit: Kohei Shinohara via Canva Pro
Kushikatsu is a beloved Japanese dish that consists of skewered and deep-fried meat, seafood, and vegetables. These are coated in a crispy batter and served with a tangy dipping sauce. Often found in Osaka, this dish is typically enjoyed as a casual meal or snack, perfect for pairing with a cold beer. The variety of ingredients makes it a delightful experience for anyone who enjoys fried foods with a twist!
Japanese cuisine offers far more than just ramen, sushi, or tempura, with each region boasting its own unique and sometimes lesser-known delicacies. Next time you’re planning a trip to Japan, make sure to step outside the mainstream and savour these hidden gems for a truly authentic culinary experience.
