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Sushi
Sushi puts Japan on the culinary map, so it's only fair to place it at number one. These small rolls of cold rice date back to the 4th century BC and helped preserve fish – today, they've become a universal favorite when dipped in soy sauce. Making sushi is an art, and it takes decades to become a true sushi master: you'll spend years just learning how to properly prepare the rice. Ginza in Tokyo and the fishing ports around the country are famous for offering some of the best sushi, but you can also visit a kaiten-zushi – one of the many more budget-friendly conveyor belt restaurants.
Tempura
In the 16th century, Portuguese Jesuit missionaries arrived in Nagasaki and introduced Japan to the life-changing art of fried food. The Japanese adapted it in their own way by dipping seafood or vegetables in batter before deep-frying them until crispy. Oishii, or this delicious snack, is a wonderful accompaniment to rice, noodles, or grilled dishes.
Ramen
Ramen is one of the most popular and inexpensive dishes in Japan, so it's no surprise that it's also a favorite among students. Ramen is simply delicious: You take some Chinese-style noodles (they're yellow and look a bit like spaghetti), put them in broth, and add a few other ingredients, such as sliced meat, dried seaweed, and green onions. Many people eat ramen for lunch, considering it a quick meal in Japan. However, most restaurants have their own unique recipes, resulting in different umami experiences.
Soba
Soba, a Japanese word for buckwheat, is a thin, spaghetti-like noodle made from – surprisingly! – buckwheat flour, giving it its gray/brown color. Soba noodles are a favorite in Tokyo and date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), when they became popular with samurai. The noodles are often served with eggs, tempura, or other toppings and can be eaten hot or cold, with broth or dry. Cold soba noodles are served with a soy sauce dip called tsuyu, and that was an experience that later led me to decide I'd side with hot soba noodles.
Udon
We continue with the topic of noodles and move on to udon, a thicker and more densely woven cousin of soba. Broth is the essential medium for udon noodles and can be served with green onions, tempura, or tofu. If you spend enough time in Japan, people will ask whether you prefer udon or soba, so make sure you try all the types and find a favorite. However, whether you're eating ramen, soba, or udon, always make slurping sounds – it's considered polite and shows you're thoroughly enjoying your meal.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki are a series of small dumplings filled with squid, cabbage, or dried shrimp and topped with sauce. You'll find takoyaki at many street stalls and food courts throughout Japan, and it's a perfect takeaway snack: They're bite-sized and – because they're made in a special cast-iron pan – almost perfectly round.
Onigiri
Anime fans might recognize this dish from Pokémon and Sailor Moon. Onigiri is a roll of boiled rice topped with a savory or sour filling, such as dried plums, salmon, or cod, wrapped in a sheet of dried seaweed (nori). You can find it everywhere in Japan, even in a grocery store.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a combination of the word okonomi, meaning “what you love” or “what you want,” and yaki, a Japanese word meaning “grilled” or “cooked.” It’s a savory Japanese pancake made with a variety of ingredients – I had some cheese, soba noodles, green onions, garlic fries, pork, egg, and kimchi, for example. There are many different ways to prepare and serve okonomiyaki; my experience involved a line of chefs preparing various orders and then serving them on a small, flat griddle that kept the pizza-like pancakes beautifully hot. To enjoy this dish, use a small, spoon-like scoop – and the rest is a delicious history.
Yakitori
These charcoal-grilled chicken skewers are best enjoyed with a cold drink. Yakitori features different parts of the chicken – from thighs to skin, wings, or liver, so we recommend you don't worry and sample all the skewers you come across.
Katsudon
Similar to Kat-so-yum, this dish consists of a bowl of rice served with fried pork cutlet and a fried egg. Katsudon is not only delicious, but it's also believed to bring good luck to students, athletes, or anyone who needs good fortune: The first part of the dish, katsu, sounds quite similar to the Japanese word for "win" or "victory." (So, be sure to try some katsudon before your next exam. If you don't get a high score, at least you'll have had a delicious meal.)
