Japanese cuisine: specialties, drinks, experiences and ingredients to discover

Japanese cuisine is much more than a culinary art: it is a world of flavours, rituals and regional stories. Between traditional dishes, local drinks and unique experiences, it seduces taste buds around the world. Let us discover together the richness of Japanese gastronomy, from its emblematic dishes to the ingredients that make it all authentic.

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Japanese dishes and specialties

Japanese cuisine offers an amazing variety of dishes that reflect history, climate and local customs. Among the most singular, theshojin ryori, vegetarian Buddhist cuisine, prefers harmony of natural flavors, without garlic or onion. In contrast, theJapanese curry, soft and thick, imposed itself as a popular daily dish.

Unmissable dishes

Soba, Ramen and Udon

Culinary specialties

Kyoto

Shojin ryori and Japanese Curry

Lomakase, sushi meal where the chef chooses the dishes served, embodies confidence and culinary surprise. In winter, the Japanese enjoy hot dishes like thenabe, a friendly Japanese fondue made of vegetables, tofu and meat.

Omakase, Kaiseki and Nabe

Thekaiseki, a refined traditional menu often tasted in ryokan, shows the seasonality through a succession of delicate dishes. In Kyoto, thekitchen obanzai offers a more rustic and family approach to local terroir.

Finally, theankimo, baudroie liver often nicknamed the “sea foie gras”, is a rare winter specialty but highly sought after for its delicate taste.

Sushis and Ankimo

Winter dishes

Japanese beverages

Different Japanese teas

The richness of Japanese drink goes well beyond the famous green tea. The latter, in particular thesenchaormatcha, accompanies many meals and ceremonies. Less known is theJapanese black tea(wakoucha) offers a sweet, slightly sweet alternative, ideal for European palates.

Different Japanese alcohols

Sake (nihonshu) and Shochu

Japanese Whisky

Shochu, awamori and mirin

Alcoholshochuandawamoricompete with sake. The first is distilled and lighter, while the second, native to Okinawa, is distinguished by its fermentation based on black rice. TheMirin, often considered as a sweet seasoning for dishes, can also drink as an aperitif.

Kagoshima Kurozake

Finally, thekurozakefrom Kagoshima is a black rice wine little known but ancestral, traditionally used as an offering or medicinal beverage.

Japanese culinary experiences

Tabehodai and Nomihodai

Japanese gastronomy is as much as it tastes. Thetabehodai(buffet at will) and thenomihodai(drinks formula) are very popular in large cities, especially afterwork. They allow you to discover a multitude of dishes and drinks at fixed prices.

Theizakayas, kinds of Japanese bistros, offer a relaxed atmosphere where we share varied dishes and drinks in all simplicity. For a more codified experience, theTea ceremony(chanoyu) initiates to the aesthetics of the gesture and to the spirituality of the preparation of tea matcha.

Izakayas and Chanoyu

Ekiben

Eating on a Japanese train is much more than just a meal on the thumb. With the ekiben, bentos sold at the train stations for long distance travel, travellers discover regional specialities through neat and balanced boxes.

Purchase of utensils in Tokyo or Osaka

Cooking enthusiasts will love to strollKappabashi(Tokyo ) , Doguyasuji (Osaka) dedicated to kitchen utensils and equipment. This is the perfect place to bring Japanese knives or bento moulds.

Japanese Ingredients and Tastes

Essential pantry for Japanese cooking

Shiso and Kinako

Japanese ingredients reflect a subtle approach to flavours. Theshiso, an aromatic grass with a unique taste between mint and basil, is omnipresent in raw or fried dishes. Thekinako, roasted soy flour to taste hazelnut, is commonly used to cover desserts like mochi.

These two ingredients embody the Japanese ability to sublimate simple products into unique taste experiences. They also show a deep connection to nature, seasonality and product respect.

Exploring Japanese cuisine means diving into a rich sensory universe, guided by centuries-old traditions and always renewed creativity. Whether you’re curious or passionate, it offers many surprises.

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