The Most Delicious Food in Japan, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the food you think is the most delicious!

Updated on Apr 24, 2024 06:36

In Japan, the sheer variety of culinary delights from various regions can make choosing what to eat next an overwhelming decision. By creating a ranking of delectable Japanese foods based on public votes, we offer a fun and interactive way for food lovers to see which dishes come out on top according to popular opinion. This helps visitors and locals alike to decide what to try next, promising a delightful gastronomic journey across the country. Voting on your preferred dishes not only assists others in discovering culinary gems but also gives insight into what the general populace finds appealing, creating a constantly updated guide to the finest eats in Japan. This live ranking encourages a community-centric approach to food exploration, where each vote shapes the current culinary trends and helps highlight regional specialties that might otherwise go unnoticed.

What Is the Most Delicious Food in Japan?

1

60
votes
Sushi

This traditional Japanese dish is made of vinegared rice, seafood, and vegetables. It is considered one of the most popular and delicious foods in Japan.
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that consists of vinegared rice combined with various fillings, usually raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, and sometimes tropical fruits. The rice is often wrapped in seaweed (nori) and comes in different shapes and sizes, such as rolls (maki), hand-pressed bites (nigiri), or small clumps (temari). Sushi emphasizes simplicity, freshness, and balance of flavors, making it not just visually appealing but also a delight for the taste buds. The combination of colors, textures, and presentation contributes to its overall beauty.

Ingredients: Typically includes raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, tropical fruits, and vinegared rice.

Vinegared Rice: The rice used in sushi is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, giving it a distinct tangy and slightly sweet flavor.

Nori: Seaweed sheets that are commonly used to wrap sushi rolls, adding a savory taste and a contrasting texture.

Maki: Sushi rolls wrapped with nori, filled with ingredients, and sliced into bite-sized pieces.

Nigiri: Hand-pressed sushi with a small mound of rice topped with sliced raw or cooked seafood.
2

30
votes
Ramen

A popular dish in Japan, ramen is a noodle soup dish that can be served with a variety of toppings, including pork, chicken, and vegetables. It is hearty and flavorful.
Ramen is a Japanese dish consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a savory broth flavored with various seasonings. It is typically topped with a combination of ingredients such as sliced pork, seaweed, green onions, and soft-boiled eggs. Ramen has gained widespread popularity worldwide due to its rich and complex flavors.

Noodle Type: Wheat-based, thin and curly

Broth Varieties: Shio (salt-based), Shoyu (soy sauce-based), Miso (soybean paste-based), Tonkotsu (pork bone-based)

Toppings: Chashu (sliced pork), Menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), Nori (seaweed), Ajitsuke Tamago (marinated soft-boiled egg), Negi (chopped green onions)

Flavor Enhancements: Tare (seasoning), Aji-tama (flavored egg), Kaeshi (soy sauce seasoning), Chili oil, Sesame oil

Regional Variations: Hakata, Sapporo, Tokyo, Kitakata, Kumamoto, Tsukemen (dipping noodles)
3

14
votes
Tempura

A dish of battered and deep-fried seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients, tempura is a delicious and crispy treat.
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish consisting of deep-fried seafood, vegetables, or a combination of both. It is made by batter-coating the ingredients and then frying them until golden and crispy. The result is a delicate and crunchy dish with a distinctive lightness and flavor.

Ingredients: Seafood (shrimp, squid, fish) and vegetables (such as eggplant, bell pepper, sweet potato, pumpkin)

Batter: Made from a mixture of flour, egg, and ice-cold water

Frying: Deep-fried in hot oil (usually sesame or vegetable oil) at a high temperature

Texture: Light, crispy, and fluffy

Dipping Sauce: Tempura is often served with tentsuyu, a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and dashi
4

22
votes
Udon

A type of thick noodle made from wheat flour, udon is often served with a savory broth and a variety of toppings, such as tempura or sliced meat. It is a hearty and satisfying dish.
Udon is a type of thick and chewy wheat noodle that is popular in Japanese cuisine. It is typically served in a hearty broth and can be enjoyed with various toppings and condiments. Udon noodles are known for their pleasant texture and ability to hold flavors well.

Type: Wheat noodle

Thickness: Thick

Texture: Chewy

Broth: Hearty

Toppings: Various
5

13
votes
Yakitori

A dish of grilled chicken skewers, yakitori is a popular street food in Japan. The chicken is typically seasoned with soy sauce and other flavorful ingredients.
Yakitori is a popular Japanese grilled chicken dish that is renowned for its delicious flavor and tender texture. It consists of skewered bite-sized pieces of chicken, usually served with a savory sauce or seasoned with salt. The chicken is grilled over charcoal, which imparts a smoky and slightly charred taste to the meat.

Chicken Type: Typically made with bite-sized pieces of chicken thigh, although other cuts like breast or wings can be used as well.

Skewers: The chicken pieces are skewered on small bamboo or metal skewers, allowing for easy grilling and serving.

Sauce Varieties: Yakitori can be enjoyed with various sauces, including tare (a sweet and savory soy-based sauce), shio (salt), or shichimi (Japanese seven spice).

Grilling Method: Traditionally, yakitori is grilled over charcoal, which gives it a unique smoky flavor. However, modern variations may use gas grills or even ovens.

Cooking Techniques: Yakitori can be cooked in different ways such as teppanyaki (grilled on a flat iron griddle), robatayaki (grilled over an open charcoal pit), or hibachi (grilled on a portable barbecue).
6

13
votes
Okonomiyaki

A savory pancake made with cabbage and other ingredients, okonomiyaki is a popular comfort food in Japan. It is often topped with a variety of sauces and served hot.
Okonomiyaki is a popular Japanese savory pancake that is often described as a mix between a pancake and a pizza. The name itself means 'grilled as you like it,' reflecting the customizable nature of the dish. It is a versatile and delicious meal that is enjoyed throughout Japan.

Ingredients: Cabbage, flour, eggs, dashi stock, green onions are common ingredients. The toppings can vary based on preference and region but often include meat (pork or seafood) and various vegetables.

Cooking method: Okonomiyaki is usually cooked on a flat iron griddle known as a teppan. The batter and ingredients are mixed together and poured onto the griddle to form a thick pancake. It is then flipped and cooked until both sides are golden brown and crispy.

Sauce: A special sauce called okonomiyaki sauce is generously drizzled over the pancake. This savory, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce is a crucial component and adds a distinct flavor to the dish.

Mayonnaise: Okonomiyaki is often topped with mayonnaise, which adds a creamy richness to the overall taste. The mayonnaise is usually drizzled in a decorative pattern across the pancake.

Toppings: In addition to sauce and mayonnaise, a variety of toppings are added to enhance flavor and texture. These can include bonito flakes (thinly shaved dried fish), seaweed flakes, pickled ginger, dried shrimp or squid, and sometimes even cheese.
7

12
votes
Tonkatsu

A breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish. It is often served with rice and a tangy sauce.
Tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish that consists of deep-fried breaded pork cutlets. The dish typically includes thick slices of pork loin or fillet that are coated in flour, dipped in beaten egg, and then covered in panko breadcrumbs before being deep-fried until golden and crispy. The result is a deliciously tender and juicy pork cutlet with a crunchy outer coating.

Main Ingredient: Pork

Cooking Method: Deep-frying

Breading Type: Panko breadcrumbs

Cutlet Type: Thick slices of pork loin or fillet

Preparation: Coating in flour and beaten egg
8

2
votes
Takoyaki

A popular street food in Japan, takoyaki are small balls of batter filled with diced octopus and other ingredients. They are typically served hot and topped with various sauces.
Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food that originated in Osaka. It is a small ball-shaped snack made of a wheat flour batter and filled with diced octopus, green onions, and other ingredients. The batter is poured into a specially designed takoyaki pan, which has half-sphere molds, and then cooked until it becomes a golden brown color. Takoyaki is typically topped with takoyaki sauce, a sweet and savory brown sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and seaweed flakes.

Shape: Ball-shaped

Main Ingredients: Octopus, wheat flour batter, green onions

Cooking Method: Pan-fried

Toppings: Takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, seaweed flakes

Texture: Soft on the inside, crispy on the outside
9

4
votes
Ocdp · CC0

Miso soup

A traditional Japanese soup made with miso paste, tofu, and seaweed, miso soup is a staple in Japanese cuisine. It is often served as a side dish with other Japanese dishes.
Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup made with a flavorful broth called dashi, combined with miso paste and various ingredients. It is a staple dish in Japanese cuisine and is typically served with meals or as a side dish.

Ingredients: Dashi, miso paste, tofu, seaweed, green onions, and other optional ingredients

Taste: Umami and savory

Texture: Brothy with soft tofu and chewy seaweed

Preparation: Boiling dashi, adding miso paste, and adding ingredients

Variations: Different regions and households have their own unique versions
Miso soup in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Asian soup
- Position 9 of 10 in Most delicious soup
10

7
votes
Matcha

A finely ground green tea powder, matcha is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine. It is often used to flavor desserts and other dishes, and is known for its unique and complex flavor.
Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that has a vibrant green color and a unique, slightly bitter taste. It is made from shade-grown tea leaves, which are carefully ground into a fine powder to create the distinctively smooth and earthy flavor.

Color: Vibrant green

Taste: Slightly bitter and earthy

Preparation: Requires whisking the powdered tea with hot water until frothy

Cultivation: Grown in the shade to enhance chlorophyll content

Grinding: Ground into a fine powder using stone mills

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Ranking factors for delicious food

Flavor

The taste of the dish should be well-balanced, with the right combination of umami, sweetness, saltiness, and sometimes spiciness, depending on the type of dish.
Texture

The texture of the food should be appealing and appropriate for the specific dish, such as the tenderness of meat, crispiness of tempura, or the chewiness of noodles.
Freshness and quality of ingredients

Japanese cuisine emphasizes using seasonal and fresh ingredients to create dishes that highlight their natural flavors.
Presentation

The visual appearance of the food should be pleasing, with attention given to color, arrangement, and portion size.
Healthiness

Japanese cuisine is often praised for its focus on balanced meals and nutritious ingredients, such as fish, vegetables, and rice, so considering the health benefits of each dish is crucial.
Popularity

How well-regarded or popular a dish is among both locals and tourists can be indicative of its deliciousness.
Personal preferences and subjective tastes

People's palates differ, so it's crucial to note that rankings of deliciousness are ultimately subjective and may vary from person to person.
Innovation and creativity

Some dishes may not be traditionally Japanese, but their fusion with other cuisines or innovative approaches can make them stand out as being exceptionally delicious.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most delicious food in Japan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1257 views
171 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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Japanese Cuisine

More information on most delicious food in japan

Japan is a country well-known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and of course, its delicious cuisine. Japanese food is widely loved and appreciated all over the world for its unique taste, presentation, and health benefits. From sushi to ramen, tempura to yakitori, Japan has a diverse range of dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. One of the most fascinating things about Japanese cuisine is its attention to detail. Every dish is prepared with precision and care, ensuring that the final product is not only delicious but also visually stunning. This is why Japanese food is often referred to as "food art." Whether you're a fan of seafood, noodles, rice, or meat, Japanese cuisine has something for everyone. From the traditional dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries to the more modern, fusion-style cuisine that is emerging, Japanese food is constantly evolving and exciting. So, if you're a food lover looking for a new culinary adventure, why not try some delicious Japanese cuisine? With so many amazing dishes to choose from, it's no wonder that Japan is considered one of the world's top food destinations.