10 Uniquely Japanese Dishes To Try In Tokyo

Japanese cuisine incorporates a wide variety of ingredients and unexpected flavors. Some of these dishes are internationally famous and can be found virtually anywhere on the planet, while others are some of the East Asian nation’s best kept secrets. Here are ten uniquely Japanese dishes to try while in Tokyo.

Raw Horse Meat (Basashi)

In general, horse meat is higher in fat and calories than beef. Served raw, it’s known as basashi, and is a popular snack served in izakaya (Japanese pubs). Slather on freshly grated ginger, scallions and sweet onion before tasting a piece.

Uni (Sea Urchin)

Motsunabe (Tripe/Intestine Hot Pot)

Hot pot is a dish of rich broth, vegetables and meat. It’s usually cooked at the table and served in a single large pot that everyone shares. Motsunabe is a hot pot where the meat source is cow or pig intestine. It’s impossible to chew, but the rich, fatty texture appeals to many, especially on a cold winter’s night.

Chicken Tataki

Chicken tataki has the meat lightly seared while the inside stays raw, similar to a steak cooked rare. It has a soft, pleasant texture. Chicken can also be served without the sear as chicken sashimi.

Sasami (no-fat) chicken skewer with ume paste and dried shiso leaf. Only the outside of the chicken is cooked

Fried Gobo (Burdock Root)

Crispy fried burdock root, known as gobo in Japan, is a great appetizer. It’s commonly served with maple syrup and a little salt for dipping, to cut the sweetness. The flavor is a cross between a carrot and a potato.

Fried burdock root/gobo, served with maple syrup and salt

Wagashi

Made in Japan for centuries, wagashi are confections traditionally served with tea. Both the flavors and the ornamental shapes are inspired by the season. Wagashi make the perfect afternoon snack.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki are fried savory pancakes. Usually it’s made from a batter of flour, shredded cabbage and other vegetables with the customer’s choice of meat, toppings and other additions. The best place to enjoy okonomiyaki is at a specialized restaurant outfitted with teppan at the tables – large hotplates that allow you to prepare the dish yourself.

Yaki-niku

Yaki-niku literally means ‘grilled meat’. At a yaki-niku restaurant, customers can order assorted vegetables, meat and other fixings and grill them to their liking right at the table. It’s a great opportunity to try meat from various regions all in one sitting.

Cold Soba

Chilled soba (buckwheat noodles) are an inexpensive, popular and healthy choice, especially during the summer. At the end of the meal, the server may bring you the water used to cook the soba to drink, because it’s believed to have health benefits. If you’re visiting in the wintertime, soba is also available hot.

Omu-rice

The basic omu-rice or omelette rice dish is a soft-centered omelette atop a bed of tomato or ketchup-flavored rice. It appears deceptively simple to make, but cutting open the omelette will reveal the complexities of the dish.

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