Eating in Japan
Discussion
Off to Japan soon, and I'm keen to get stuck into local cusine. However, I'm a little worried about missing out because I don't know where to look or what sign or object outside might indicate a restaurant.
Also, as well as Tokyo and Kyoto, we're stopping in a couple of smaller towns on the way, so are there customs I should be aware of such as early closing times or the like?
Finally, what should I seek out and try that most miss? Having done some reading on Japanese food generally, there's a lot of unusual foods and I'm not sure where to start!
Also, as well as Tokyo and Kyoto, we're stopping in a couple of smaller towns on the way, so are there customs I should be aware of such as early closing times or the like?
Finally, what should I seek out and try that most miss? Having done some reading on Japanese food generally, there's a lot of unusual foods and I'm not sure where to start!
I spent a week there, through work..
Can't remember any of the names, sorry. Every detail was pre arranged.
What I can remember, I had the most amazing culinary experience of my life...and I'm not even a big fan of fish.
From downtown street vendors to the 'ultimate' in fine dining and everything in between.
Have fun...
Can't remember any of the names, sorry. Every detail was pre arranged.
What I can remember, I had the most amazing culinary experience of my life...and I'm not even a big fan of fish.
From downtown street vendors to the 'ultimate' in fine dining and everything in between.
Have fun...
A lot of restaurants have plastic food outside, so you can see what the food looks like - although most of the time you still don't know what it is!
Most of the nicer places I have been was with colleagues from Japan, so they have done the ordering, the rest of the time it has been the work canteen for typical Japanese food, or western food if I'm fending for myself (after a few weeks of Japanese food, I need to get some western food).
Most of the nicer places I have been was with colleagues from Japan, so they have done the ordering, the rest of the time it has been the work canteen for typical Japanese food, or western food if I'm fending for myself (after a few weeks of Japanese food, I need to get some western food).
Been two times, I ate very well but I didn't made a lot of research on my own as both times I went to see a friend, she has been living there for a couple of years and she was my "guide". In Tokio it is not difficult to eat late and the quality of food is high even in apparently cheap street-side little bars. Compared to the rest the prices to eat out are not so high too.
If I was you I'll give a look to some sites like Tripadvisor to see what there is near where you are going to stay first and once you will be there you can check them, just to understand how different kind of places to eat look like, then you can start exploring on your own. Anyway it won't be difficult to find good places to eat!
If I was you I'll give a look to some sites like Tripadvisor to see what there is near where you are going to stay first and once you will be there you can check them, just to understand how different kind of places to eat look like, then you can start exploring on your own. Anyway it won't be difficult to find good places to eat!
I spent an unforgettable week in Tokyo a few years ago - it has to be one of the best cities in the world to eat out for quality, variety and value!
I remember there being some pretty solid recommendations in the Rough Guide and they had a handy section on etiquette as well. There are two that I remember - don't stick your chopsticks in your rice (it symbolises "death" apparently) and with alcohol it's impolite to fill your own glass - someone else you're eating with must do it for you. Also tipping is pretty much unknown in Japan.
One of my first meals was at a sushi bar outside Shinjuku station - I felt like I was in Blade Runner or something watching the chefs at work and eating the most delicious sushi from the conveyor belt with all the office workers. And it was a very reasonable price.
I remember there being some pretty solid recommendations in the Rough Guide and they had a handy section on etiquette as well. There are two that I remember - don't stick your chopsticks in your rice (it symbolises "death" apparently) and with alcohol it's impolite to fill your own glass - someone else you're eating with must do it for you. Also tipping is pretty much unknown in Japan.
One of my first meals was at a sushi bar outside Shinjuku station - I felt like I was in Blade Runner or something watching the chefs at work and eating the most delicious sushi from the conveyor belt with all the office workers. And it was a very reasonable price.
I lived there for a while 12 years ago, its a great place to eat. I cant recommend exact places as they will probably have closed, but some guidelines:
You'll have killer sushi and ramen wherever you go, but its worth doing some reading (blogs, tripadvisor etc) for some more fun things as well.
Find a well-rated, divey Okonomiyaki joint - its a japanese omlette with octopus and cabbage with barbecue suace. It sounds wierd i know, but its tasty and they make them in front of you while you scarf it down with drunk businessmen.
If you can get some friends / visitors together, hit an Izakaya - its a japanese pub. But with sushi and tempura.
Try regional japanese food. Okinawan food (Champiru IIRC is the name of the most popular dish) is filling and tasty, as are the stews and dumplings from Hokkaido in the north. If you are going in the next couple of weeks, it will be sodding hot - the best thing to have to cool off is iced Zaru Soba - noodles served on ice with dipping sauce. Its like internal aircon.
If you havent been to Asia before, try the Chinese food, especially the seafood. Its killer compared to what we get in the UK. If you are having a couple of "splash out" meals make sure one of them is at a top-rated chinese place and go nuts on the crab / lobster etc.
Avoid western food, its usually bloody wierd tasting unless you're eating at michelin starred restaurants. Japanese sandwiches are awful. Onigiri (rice ball) lunches are the way forwards.
Final thing - you will get really, really sick of the taste of nori (seaweed). Its sprinkled on EVERYTHING. Your nori-removal skills will be ninja by the end of your trip.
/edit: Oh and visit a whisky bar. Hand-carved iceballs with japanese single malts = awesome.
You'll have killer sushi and ramen wherever you go, but its worth doing some reading (blogs, tripadvisor etc) for some more fun things as well.
Find a well-rated, divey Okonomiyaki joint - its a japanese omlette with octopus and cabbage with barbecue suace. It sounds wierd i know, but its tasty and they make them in front of you while you scarf it down with drunk businessmen.
If you can get some friends / visitors together, hit an Izakaya - its a japanese pub. But with sushi and tempura.
Try regional japanese food. Okinawan food (Champiru IIRC is the name of the most popular dish) is filling and tasty, as are the stews and dumplings from Hokkaido in the north. If you are going in the next couple of weeks, it will be sodding hot - the best thing to have to cool off is iced Zaru Soba - noodles served on ice with dipping sauce. Its like internal aircon.
If you havent been to Asia before, try the Chinese food, especially the seafood. Its killer compared to what we get in the UK. If you are having a couple of "splash out" meals make sure one of them is at a top-rated chinese place and go nuts on the crab / lobster etc.
Avoid western food, its usually bloody wierd tasting unless you're eating at michelin starred restaurants. Japanese sandwiches are awful. Onigiri (rice ball) lunches are the way forwards.
Final thing - you will get really, really sick of the taste of nori (seaweed). Its sprinkled on EVERYTHING. Your nori-removal skills will be ninja by the end of your trip.
/edit: Oh and visit a whisky bar. Hand-carved iceballs with japanese single malts = awesome.
Edited by Wadeski on Tuesday 20th August 15:10
Wadeski said:
.
If you havent been to Asia before, try the Chinese food, especially the seafood. Its killer compared to what we get in the UK. If you are having a couple of "splash out" meals make sure one of them is at a top-rated chinese place and go nuts on the crab / lobster etc.
100% The best chinese food I've ever eaten was in Japan.If you havent been to Asia before, try the Chinese food, especially the seafood. Its killer compared to what we get in the UK. If you are having a couple of "splash out" meals make sure one of them is at a top-rated chinese place and go nuts on the crab / lobster etc.
Edited by Wadeski on Tuesday 20th August 15:10
Don't forget to get down to Roppongi for the night life too.
Wadeski said:
Find a well-rated, divey Okonomiyaki joint - its a japanese omlette with octopus and cabbage with barbecue suace. It sounds wierd i know, but its tasty and they make them in front of you while you scarf it down with drunk businessmen.
Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of the doner kebab! (I like them)Been to Japan several times, and generally enjoyed the food. My most memorable meal though was in a restaurant with English translations.
I decided to try "chicken cartilege" - which I figured was clearly a translation error, and I wondered what it was. Turns out it was an accurate translation...... wasn't really to my taste and had to order something else!
I decided to try "chicken cartilege" - which I figured was clearly a translation error, and I wondered what it was. Turns out it was an accurate translation...... wasn't really to my taste and had to order something else!
LooneyTunes said:
Wadeski said:
Find a well-rated, divey Okonomiyaki joint - its a japanese omlette with octopus and cabbage with barbecue suace. It sounds wierd i know, but its tasty and they make them in front of you while you scarf it down with drunk businessmen.
Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of the doner kebab! (I like them)Craikeybaby said:
My favourite too
I'd put it high up the list, but I'm always happiest with a good Kamameshi or some Soba noodles.There's some odd stuff though. Baby bees and grasshoppers spring to mind ('scuse pun).
Has anyone recommended Natto beans yet? I always try to give them a miss...
if you get really stuck, then somewhere like pepper steak can be a life saver. you buy your meal via a ticket from a machine near the doorway, it's all pictured. then just hand it to them, and a few minutes later you'll get a big plate of rice and raw beef etc to cook on your hot plate. quite tasty - and pretty cheap too.
other than that, some of the random grill places can be quite fun. my first night i was in a tiny village, nothing was in english, managed to agree with the owner of a little hut restaurant (like 6 tables?) to bring me out a selection of things for the equivalent of about £15. Ate very well, still no idea what anything was. also got chased down the street afterwards as i had attempted to leave a tip, which they refused to accept.
other than that, some of the random grill places can be quite fun. my first night i was in a tiny village, nothing was in english, managed to agree with the owner of a little hut restaurant (like 6 tables?) to bring me out a selection of things for the equivalent of about £15. Ate very well, still no idea what anything was. also got chased down the street afterwards as i had attempted to leave a tip, which they refused to accept.
LooneyTunes said:
Craikeybaby said:
My favourite too
I'd put it high up the list, but I'm always happiest with a good Kamameshi or some Soba noodles.There's some odd stuff though. Baby bees and grasshoppers spring to mind ('scuse pun).
Has anyone recommended Natto beans yet? I always try to give them a miss...
I've managed to avoid that luckily. The thing I really don't like is the miso soup - which is a problem as it is served everywhere! Even the smell of it makes me gag.
Another thing worth checking out (assuming it isn't just an Iwaki thing) is a Korean BBQ - you cook your own meat on a BBQ in the middle of the table, great if there is a big group of you.
Another thing worth checking out (assuming it isn't just an Iwaki thing) is a Korean BBQ - you cook your own meat on a BBQ in the middle of the table, great if there is a big group of you.
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