Japan is a country with so much character that you cannot get enough of it on a single vacation. Its rich cultural history, delicate opulence, and eccentric urge for anime are reasons enough to travel here. The sheer magic of eating an ice cone under the Japanese sakura or cherry blossoms in the spring season is an experience that cannot be described with words. If The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift showed a fast-paced side of Japan, then Memoirs of Geisha would have surely made you fall in love with its simplistic way of living. Besides travelling around popular cities like Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, etc., you need to feed yourself with delicious food at the best restaurants in Japan. It is almost impossible to try out every famous Japanese food item because there are just too many! So, we have curated a list of places where you can devour mouth-watering delicacies. For the adventurous folks, The Kayabukiya Tavern, also known as, the monkey restaurant in Japan, is a must-try as they can get their food from Macaque monkeys!
Tickle your palette with the most popular foods at the 12 of the most famous restaurants in Japan: -
Ramen Restaurants
A lot of restaurants in Kyoto, Osaka, and every other city or town in Japan wish to become renowned for their ramen. This iconic dish is a noodle-based delight served in a rich broth with soft-boiled egg, fresh spring onions, and various other condiments of your choice. Here are the most authentic restaurants for Japanese ramen:
1. Ippudo
If you are a Ramen enthusiast, then the battle between Ippudo and Ichiran must have come across your social media feed for sure. Needless to say, both brands have their loyal army of customers, so we shall provide you with information about them without any bias! Ippudo is among the best restaurants in Japan because of its Hakata-style ramen that you could hog on for days.
Location: Across the country
Recommendations: Shiromaru Classic, Hakata-style dumplings
2. Ichiran
With humble beginnings as a food stall known as Futaba Ramen in Fukuoka, Ichiran has evolved into a ramen brand that is popular across the globe. Since its inception in 1960, it has been one of the most popular restaurants in Shibuya, Tokyo, without a doubt. The ramen created by the chefs of Ichiran is purely made of pork bones.
Location: Across the country
Recommendations: Classic Tonkotsu Ramen, Matcha Pudding
3. Momofuku
Set in Chuo City, Tokyo, this is a traditional Japanese restaurant that you need to try on your next trip. The most appealing quality of this eatery is that you have the option of making your own ramen! That’s right. Just tell the server at Momofuku how spicy your Japanese ramen broth should be and they will give you all the required ingredients and condiments to make ramen that will make your world go round.
Location: Chuo City, Tokyo
Recommendations: Make your own ramen
Sushi Restaurants
Even if you no little about this country’s cuisine, sushi is a famous Japanese food item that you must have tried once or at least heard about. While the western world has come up with its own version of sushi, the one in Japan is as authentic as it gets. The entire experience of going to a traditional sushi joint and eating with the locals is beyond comparison. Let us look at the best sushi restaurants in Japan:
4. Sushi Kawano
Harajuku restaurants are known for their quirky take on sushi but if you wish to try the real deal then head over to Chuo City in Tokyo. Sushi Kawano is among the most popular Sushi-ya (specializing in sushi) where everything exudes luxury. With a decade-long streak of Michelin stars, Sushi Kawano is a sushi haven that you simply cannot miss on your next vacation to Japan.
Location: Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
Recommendations: Mackerel Nigiri, Nihon Sake
5. Sushi Masuda
Sushi Masuda has revamped and come up with a new establishment that has already made the locals go into frenzy. As one of the favourite sushi restaurants in Japan, Sushi Masuda celebrates craftsmanship, fresh produce, and splendour in the best possible way.
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Recommendations: Akami Zuke, Kuruma Ebi
6. Sushi-rō
Eating at the best restaurants in Japan does not have to burn a hole in your pocket. We all know that food is on the expensive side in this country, so finding good quality sushi at an affordable price can be a rare thing. Sushi-ro is a gem with a conveyor belt that presents several sushi and nigiri options. This affordable brand happens was the first to start the conveyor-belt style of serving sushi, locally termed as kaiten-zushi, so let us give them the credit they deserve.
Location: Across the country
Recommendations: Dashiaki Tamago, Fried Octopus
Teppanyaki Restaurants
The only thing that the end of World War II brought to Japan was Teppanyaki, a cooking style that uses an iron plate to grill protein, vegetables, noodles, etc. Now, the fun part of Teppanyaki is that you can see your food being cooked right in front of your eyes! To have a memorable Teppankyaki experience, these three restaurants in Japan are your best bet:
7. Hakushu - Kobe Teppanyaki
Perhaps one of the most sought-after restaurants in Shibuya, Tokyo, is Hakushu Teppanyaki for its melt-in-the-mouth Kobe beef, sirloin steaks, seafood platters, and the like. People line up outside this eatery every day to have Kobe beef, a delicacy in Japan, so make sure you have made reservations in advance.
Location: Shibuya, Tokyo
Recommendations: Sea Urchins, Roast Beef
8. Teppanyaki Nakamura
Named after the chef who owns this fine-dining restaurant, Teppanyaki Nakamura is a culinary festival of its own kind. Call it cosy, romantic or quaint, this teppanyaki specialty joint will make you fall in love with Japanese cuisine for sure. What’s more? Chef Nakamuro ensures that every dish prepared on his teppan is completely oil-free!
Location: Kagurazaka, Tokyo
Recommendations: Wagyu Steak, Abalones
9. Teppan Diner Jaken Ebisu
When you visit this teppanyaki restaurant and have a gala time, then make sure to give us a silent thank you or arigato in Japanese! Teppan Diner Jaken Ebisu is renowned for its grandeur, A5-ranked Kobe beef, and fresh seafood. You can see the passion of their chefs when they prepare various dishes on the teppan that you can appreciate by clapping or raising a drink to them.
Location: Shibuya City, Tokyo
Recommendations: Bacon Ruggolo Salad, Roasted Duck
Indian Restaurants
After tasting everything Japan has to offer, you might get a little homesick. Do not fret! We have got you covered, here are restaurants serving Indian food that will satisfy your belly and soul:
10. Dhaba India
Although this restaurant is called Dhaba, which is a traditional North-Indian eatery found on highways, this one is an elegant fine-dining restaurant located close to Tokyo Station. Tourists dying to have some piping hot idli sambar, tikkas, biryani, etc., can enjoy a meal at this Michelin-starred restaurant.
Location: Chuo City, Tokyo
Recommendations: Masala Dosa, Dal Makhani with Garlic Naan
11. Downtown B’
The vibe of Downtown B’ will only be understood by people who have lived or visited Kolkata. The welcoming atmosphere of this Indian restaurant is so strong that you will end up eating more than you could have imagined! There are lots of tourists enjoying traditional Indian food items here, so the pride you will feel seeing them have a good time is yet another unforgettable experience.
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Recommendations: Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Jalfrezi
12. Moti Roppongi
In the mood for some good ol’ chaat pakodi? Moti’s got you covered! From freshly prepared pakora to papdi chaat, this Indian restaurant is reputed for its street food items. Do not be surprised if you find a big crowd waiting outside because Moti is always super busy. Have some patience just like you do at your local chaatwale bhaiya and you will be rewarded with lip-smacking foods!
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Recommendations: Chole Bhature, Tandoori Chicken
Wipe that drool off your face, phone, and everywhere else now and book your Japan travel package to dig into these delicacies.
116 videos
Post your Comment
Please let us know your thoughts on this story by leaving a comment.