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Travel

51 MUST Try Foods When In Japan!

January 24, 2023 by Grace Leave a Comment

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about 51 MUST Try Foods When In Japan!

A bowl of super hot ramen with loads of red chili powder, pork, noodles, and sliced green onions. There is a red spoon resting in the bowl.
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Japanese cuisine is one of the world's most famous and amazing cuisines. The Land of the Rising Sun is a foodie's dream come true! My husband and I spent 3 blissful weeks traveling and eating our way through Japan back in 2020.

My intention was to try as many famous foods in Japan that I could while I was there. I managed to enjoy quite a few!

And now, here I am excited to share with you 51 foods that YOU MUST try when in Japan!

Foods 1-10

Here are my top 10 foods that you MUST try when in Japan. These are all considered quite famous foods in Japan.

Top Ten Foods You Must Try When In Japan

1) SUPER SPICY Ramen

A bowl of super hot ramen with loads of red chili powder and sliced green onions. There is a red spoon resting in the bowl.
SUPER SPICY HOT RAMEN, Kobe, Gashoken Sannomiya

Japanese ramen is out of this world delicious. Ramen broth has the most amazing flavor and the noodles and various toppings typically including pork, make this a fantastic one dish meal. The lead picture and picture above is no ordinary ramen though! This ramen, from Gashoken Sannomiya, in Kobe, Japan, is the SPICIEST soup I have ever had! This particular restaurant also has non spicy versions, but if you like spicy food you MUST give this a try!

2) Sushi

Sushi with green onion sliced garnish on a checkered plate.
Beautifully garnished Sushi
Sushi pieces topped with mayonnaise.
Sushi with mayo
UOBEI restaurant in Tokyo with view of the counter where people are sitting and stacks of empty plates. There are screens where people order food and the conveyer belt above the screens. There is a lady with a mask in the picture.
Stacks of plates at UOBEI

Sushi is one of Japan's most popular dishes. There is no better place to enjoy sushi than when you are in Japan! Pictured here is some sushi topped with mayonnaise, and a scene from the UOBEI restaurant in Tokyo. Sushi is everywhere in Tokyo, and if you'd like to have a delicious, inexpensive, and fun sushi meal then try UOBEI. See the stack of plates in the picture? Basically you can order plate after plate of delicious sushi (or miso soup) delivered to you via a "model bullet train." And you can order to your hearts content because it's so affordable!

3) Miso Soup

A black bowl containing miso soup with clams and garnished with green onions. There is a spoon resting in the bowl.

Here is the miso soup that was delivered to me via the "model bullet train" at UOBEI. Miso soup is made from dashi stock and miso paste. Try a version with clams and sliced scallions if you can!

4) Tempura

A dish topped with various pieces of tempura and a bowl with soy sauce and grated daikon radish with chopsticks resting on top.

What's not to love about battered and deep fried food? Tempura is an absolute delight! Seems like you can tempura almost any food! Here is a plate of tempura including pickled ginger, okra, and avocado tempura. Dip the tempura into a delicious sauce comprised of soy sauce and grated daikon radish and it's heavenly!

TIP: sit at the counter and enjoy tempura one by one as it comes out fresh from the fryer!

5) Shabu Shabu

A woman holding a raw piece of meat with chopsticks.
Look at that beautiful piece of marbled meat!
Selection of raw meats in trays and a shabu shabu hotpot filled with warm broth.
Selection of meats for Shabu Shabu

Shabu shabu is Japanese hotpot. It's typically served with slices of vegetables and meats, including the delectable Wagyu beef! The term "shabu shabu" means swish swish (the sound you make when you gently move the food around in the broth to cook it.

We dined at Momo Paradise when we were in Tokyo, and this restaurant is highly recommended for your shabu shabu! Our dinner here was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. You will absolutely love a dining experience at Momo Paradise. Bring your biggest appetite!

6) Soba

A bowl of soba noodles some of which are being held with chopsticks.  There is some tempura in the bowl.

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and they are similar to spaghetti. You can enjoy them served both hot and cold. Here is a hot steaming bowl of soba with tempura. Soba is absolutely delicious and extremely popular. You can find soba restaurants throughout Japan so be sure to have some soba and slurp slurp!

7) Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki which is a Japanese savory pancake topped with lots of mayonnaise.

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese style savory pancake. In Japan it is usually cooked on a teppan (iron griddle) and it consists of flour, a protein, and various other ingredients, which may include copious amounts of mayo as seen here!

We had ours in Hiroshima. Hiroshima okonomiyaki differs from Osaka okonomiyaki in that in Hiroshima the ingredients are layered rather than mixed together. Try both kinds if you get a chance as this dish is not to be missed!

8) Yakiniku A5

A man and woman standing in front of a sign that has an image of a cow. The sign says A FIVE YAKINIKU.

If you love grilled meats, then you have to make a beeline to a Yakiniku restaurant! Unfortunately this particular restaurant that we went to in Osaka is now closed, but there are many quality Yakiniku restaurants that you can enjoy.

A Five refers to the superior quality of the Japanese Wagyu beef that's on the menu. The beef is melt in your mouth tender, and A5 is the highest quality beef you can get!

A selection of raw meats on a platter. Each meat has a sign with it and there are garnishes of parsley and a dab of wasabi on the plate.
Selection of top quality meats for grilling.
A selection of sliced meats on an indoor table grill with a pair of tongs poised over one of the meats.
Just look at the marbling on this meat!

This was one of the BEST dining experiences we had while in Japan. Don't miss it!

9) Takoyaki

A plate full of takoyaki which is a ball shaped food filled with octopus and topped with drizzled mayonnaise and bonito flakes.  There is a pair of chopsticks resting on the side.

Takoyaki is one of the most delightful foods we discovered while in Japan! These are Japanese octopus balls! They are a popular street food, and pictured are the ones we enjoyed from a food stall in Osaka.

Basically they are round balls of dough which house some octopus meat in the center of the ball. Here they are topped with takoyaki sauce, bonito flakes, and drizzled with loads of mayo.

These are so delicious and it's super fun to watch them being made as well!

10) Yurinchi Chicken (Japanese Fried Chicken)

Crispy pieces of fried chicken on a plate with tons of sliced scallions as garnish.  There is a soy based sauce drizzled over the chicken.

We discovered this dish on our last evening in Japan.

Yurinchi chicken is the Japanese version of Chinese style fried chicken. It is usually made with chicken thighs with the skin on, coated with potato starch, then deep fried to a crunchy and crispy golden brown. It is served on a bed of lettuce, with a superb tasting Yurinchi sauce poured over it, and then topped with loads of sliced scallions!

We have never had crispier chicken and the soy sauce based Yurinchi sauce was a total delight.

Try this accompanied by some sake or Asahi beer for a deliciously satisfying meal!

Foods 11-20

Now I move on to some foods that fall in the "unusual" category. They are still delightful and interesting though. I hope you will give them a try!

Some Unusual and Interesting Japanese Delights!

11) Tako Tamago

Several Tako Tamago which is baby octopus on a stick.

Tako Tamago is a candied baby octopus, stuffed with a boiled quail egg inside the head. I tried this and it was really good! It's chewy with a combination of salty and sweet flavors, and a MUST try food when at Nishiki Market in Kyoto !

This market is a 5 block long street in central Kyoto. It is comprised of more than 100 shops, stalls, and restaurants, and is also known as Kyoto's Kitchen.

You will have an AMAZING time sampling incredible food at Nishiki. This market is not to be missed!

12) Grilled Sparrow

A try with grilled sparrows on a stick next to a try with grilled quails.

So my husband tried the grilled sparrow. I think once was enough for him. 😅 You can also find these at Nishiki Market in Kyoto.

These grilled sparrows are definitely not for the faint of heart but why not give it a try if you have the opportunity when visiting Kyoto?

13) Fresh Wasabi

A plastic wrapped package containing fresh wasabi with the price of 980 yen.

You'll see fresh wasabi root, also known as Japanese horseradish, for sale in market stalls and grocery stores. If you love the head clearing taste of wasabi as much as I do, you MUST give fresh wasabi a try!

Cooks and chefs use wasabi graters to grate the root. Guess what? The grater is made of sharkskin! Grating the root produces the paste. It's my understanding that once grated, you want to consume it ASAP...as the longer you leave it the less heat there will be.

You'll love telling your friends and family that you got to try fresh wasabi root when in Japan!

14) Fried Noodle Sandwich

A sandwich filled with fried noodles packaged in a plastic wrap.

I did a double take when I first saw these! Genius!

You can find these at 7 Eleven in Japan. Japanese 7 Eleven is nothing like 7 Eleven in the United States. These convenience stores seem to sell absolutely EVERYTHING!

Be sure to visit 7 Eleven while in Japan and hunt down the Fried Noodles Sandwich for your enjoyment!

15) Natto

A cardboard cup with natto which is fermented soy beans.  Some natto is on a spoon and there is cooked egg and green onions, and slime.

Natto is fermented soybeans. It's a very popular food in Japan, and as you can see it's slimy.

What you can't see (or smell) is how STRONG smelling this food is! It's typically sold with a small quail egg, so here you can see the cooked egg in the cup. Honestly I could not finish it, but at least I tried it!

16) Japanese Kit Kats

A package of Japanese Wasabi flavored Kit Kat. There is a picture of wasabi root and sharkskin grater on the package.

Kit Kats are extremely popular in Japan and you won't believe how many different flavors they have!

One of my favorite Japanese Kit Kats was the Wasabi flavored one. It's not overpowering so I think most people would find it palatable. You can see the wasabi root pictured on the package, as well as the sharkskin grater!

17) Fugu!

A puffer fish with a top hat and a red and gold braid around the top hat.
A puffer fish display in a grocery store.
A small plate with sliced fugu and labels from the grocery store where it is being sold in Japan. There is also a chrysanthemum and leaves on the package.
A plate of sliced fugu as sold at the grocery store.

Fugu is also known as puffer fish, and this is considered a delicacy in Japan. The thing is...parts of the fugu are poisonous. So if it is not prepared properly, people who eat it can become sick or even die!

The good news is that now Japan now requires chefs to go through extensive training to get a license that allows them to prepare fugu for diners.

Take a deep breath and try fugu when in Japan!

18) Gold Leaf Ice Cream - Kanazawa

A woman holding an ice cream cone with soft serve ice cream topped with a sheet of gold leaf.
Kanazawa Gold Leaf Ice Cream!

This one is a no brainer! Soft serve ice cream topped with gold leaf is an incredible treat! We enjoyed ours in Kanazawa, which is famous for gold leaf.

Gold leaf ice cream is both beautiful and delicious. Be sure to treat yourself to this amazing dessert when in Japan!

19) Hakone Egg

A shopping bag with a drawing of a volcano and a person holding a Hakone black egg.
Hakone Black Egg
A Hakone Black Egg which has been peeled and you can see the inside white and yellow yolk of the egg.
Interior of a Hakone Black Egg

Be sure to take a day trip from Tokyo to amazing Owakudani in Hakone and seek out their black eggs. Owakudani is an active volcanic zone, and you can take a tram over this area and see the sulfuric vapors and hot springs from the tram!

The eggs are cooked in the sulfuric hot springs at Owakudani and the sulfur is what turns them black. They say that eating one of these eggs will extend your life by 7 years, so maybe eat 2 or 3!

20) White Strawberries

A bowl filled with white strawberries.

Japan LOVES LOVES strawberries! I was so surprised when I saw white strawberries and just couldn't wait to try them!

They are a little on the expensive side, and they pretty much taste like regular strawberries 😄. However, it's super fun to try them when you are in Japan! They are sold in many grocery stores and markets.

Foods 21-30

These next few foods are some of my personal favorites which I hope you will enjoy when visiting Japan!

21) Sake

A woman in a shop that sells sake. There are many different bottles of sake on shelves in the shop.

Be sure to enjoy some sake, the national drink of Japan, when visiting this amazing country!

You can find sake throughout Japan, however if you are visiting Kanazawa I highly recommend trying some sake crafted in this region.

 Kanazawa’s Fukumitsuya brewery, the oldest living brewery in Kanazawa, would be a great place to try some high quality sake! This brewery offers sake tasting experiences of their range of premium sakes. So, this would be the perfect place to enjoy Japan's national drink!

22) Senbei (Japanese Rice Crackers)

A woman with a red coat holding a senbei which is a Japanese rice cracker.

Senbei are Japanese rice crackers. Many of us are familiar with the cylindrical shaped rice cracker wrapped with nori (seaweed). But just imagine indulging in a freshly baked senbei!

You can enjoy this awesome experience at Nishiki Market in Kyoto. A warm and delicious senbei is not to be missed!

23) Grilled Eel (Unagi)

Grilled eel bento box including sushi and rice, and Japanese omelette.

Unagi is Japanese freshwater eel. This eel is perfect for grilling, and is usually served basted with a sweet and savory sauce.

Many restaurants specialize in selling unagi and they are called unagi-ya. But you can also buy them in a prepared Bento (called Ekiben) from Japan rail stations, as pictured here.

I enjoyed mine while traveling on a Japanese train...now that's the life!

24) Tamagoyaki (Japanese Omelette)

A Japanese omelette topped with whitebait on a blue and white plate with a blue coffee cup in the background.

A Japanese omelette, or tamagoyaki, is a thing of absolute beauty. It's rolled to create layers which are light and fluffy, and utterly delicious.

I had mine for breakfast, but I think it's perfect for anytime of the day! Be sure to try this delicious egg dish when in Japan!

25) Lotus Root

A chopstick holding a colorful pickled lotus root. There is also pieces of Japanese omelette, a fish shaped bottle of soy sauce, pickled ginger, and some fish in the bento as well.

The first time I tried lotus root was when I visited Japan. Here you see a very colorful and beautiful lotus root, included in a bento.

I can still remember the satisfying CRUNCH of biting into the lotus root! You will be able to find prepared lotus root in grocery stores and in Japan Rail Bento (Ekiben)...as seen here!

26) Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings)

A plate filled with Gyoza.  There is also a pair of chopsticks and dab of wasabi on the side.

Gyoza are Japanese dumplings filled with a variety of delicious ingredients. We nibbled on gyoza at a wonderful izakaya on our last night in Japan. You can get them steamed, or fried as you see here.

This was one of my favorite treats during our trip! Enjoy with soy sauce and wasabi!

27) Melon Pan Bread

Melon pan bread on a black plate.
A Melon Pan Stand with yellow colored panels. There is a large fake melon pan bread on the upper panel of the stand and writing in Japanese as well as the words "Freshly Baked Melonpan" in English. There is a woman with a mask behind the stand.

One thing that surprised me when I went to Japan was how much the Japanese love baked goods and breads!

A popular and delicious bread to try is the Melon Pan Bread. It sort of looks like a cantaloupe to me, but doesn't taste like a melon. Melon Pan is a sweet bread that you can find in the grocery and convenience stores, as well as at food stands that sell it freshly baked.

Be sure to indulge in this one of a kind sweet treat!

28) Pork Katsudon

Fried pork katsu with egg and onion, slivers of seaweed and sprinkles of seasoning on top.  There is a set of chopsticks resting on the plate on the left hand side and a bowl of soup in the background.

I am salivating just thinking about Pork Katsudon! This is a pork cutlet (tonkatsu) which has been breaded and fried. It's then combined with onions which have been simmered in a sweet and savory broth and egg, then placed atop rice in a rice bowl to make Katsudon.

This is a serious Japanese comfort food dish! You can easily make it yourself at home, however it's best enjoyed at a Tonkatsu restaurant in Japan!

29) Gyudon (Japanese Beef Bowl)

A white bowl with slices of beef and onion topped with pickled ginger.

Gyudon, literally "beef bowl", is a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a mildly sweet sauce flavored with ingredients including sake, soy sauce and mirin. The finishing touch is some pickled ginger on top.

It's absolutely delicious! I actually made this myself for dinner one night at an AirBnb in Japan. It's super simple to make at home, but even better when made in or eaten when in Japan!

30) Snoopy Themed Food at Snoopy Cha-Ya!

A sign for Snoopy Cha-Ya Restaurant with pictures of a snoopy rice omelet and a Woodstock curry.

Cute food abounds in Japan! We didn't actually eat here but I spotted this Snoopy Cha-Ya in Kyoto in Nishiki Market. Their restaurant serves Snoopy themed snacks and food and when you visit the menu may have changed from what you see here. However, if you are a fan of Peanuts or Snoopy you MUST check out their offerings and spend some time in their fun shop!

I especially love the look of the Woodstock Curry!

Foods 31-40

31) Katsutera (Castella Cake)

A slice of a Japanese cake called Katsutera.

Katsutera, also known as Castella Cake, is a light and airy sponge cake that has Portuguese influences.

Japanese cuisine prizes simplicity, and this beloved Japanese dessert showcases simplicity at its best.

Treat yourself to a slice of katsutera, perhaps with a cup of matcha tea, when in Japan!

32) Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)

A hand holding onigiri which is a rice ball wrapped in seaweed.

Onigiri are absolutely delightful! These are Japanese rice balls. This one is a triangle shape, but it's still onigiri. 😊.

These are perfect picnic fare, and just great to snack on! They come in many shapes and you can many varieties to choose from and enjoy.

I bought the one pictured here (seasoned with soy sauce and wrapped in nori) from 7 Eleven in Japan, which had a very nice selection!

Try as many different onigiri as you can!

33) Hida Beef (Shirakawago)

A temple in the background, and a hand holding a stick with beef skewered on it in the foreground.

Shirakawago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to Hida Beef. From KyotoGram.com: "Hidagyu (Hida Beef) is known to be the finest beef that comes from the Black-haired cattle raised in Gifu Prefecture."

Visit beautiful Shirakawago and see their amazing Gassho-style houses, and enjoy some melt in your mouth Hida beef when there!

34) Yuzu

Yuzu (Japanese citrus) in plastic containers for sale, with price labels on them.
Yuzu for sale in a grocery store in Japan.
A package of cheese cubes marinated with yuzu.
A package of cheese marinated yuzu.

Yuzu is a very sour citrus fruit that is mainly cultivated in Korea, China, and Japan. Therefore it's the juice and the rind that are used in cooking and the fruit is not normally eaten like you would an orange or tangerine. It's also highly aromatic with floral overtones. Yuzu is such an amazing fruit!

Try yuzu in a prepared food such as the package of Cheese Marinated Yuzu that I found in a grocery store in Japan.

Or...bathe with it! There is an article from Nippon.com, which discusses the joys of bathing with Yuzu. Please check out "Soaking and Seasoning: The Aromatic Pleasures of Yuzu" where you can also see some great pictures of a bather bathing with yuzu!

35) Japanese Curry

A package of Japanese Dinner Curry from S&B.

I can remember the mouthwatering aromas when walking past a Japanese curry house in Japan. Japanese curry is very different from Indian curries and if you've never tried it you are in for an amazing treat!

Enjoy a Japanese Curry at a curry house. Or make your own using one of the many instant curry roux's available in Japan. These roux's are typically sold in block form, such as Vermont Curry.

You can also find a plethora of vacuum sealed curries, that you simply heat and eat, like the one pictured above! Serve it over rice to make curry rice (karē raisu), one of the most popular dishes in Japan!

36) Crown Melons

2 Crown Melons with price tags on display, and a brochure about the Crown Melon in front of the display.

So, these Crown Melons look like cantaloupes, but they are not priced like cantaloupes. My eyes about popped out of my head when I saw these melons on display, the one on the left priced at 5000 Yen, which is about $38 USD as of this writing.

The Crown Melon, also known as the Japanese King of Fruits, is the highest quality of muskmelon produced in Japan. Only melons that have passed the strictest of instructions can be labelled as Crown Melon.

I have a confession...I didn't get to try this when I was in Japan, but I'm saving up my pennies to be able to try it on my next visit!

37) Japanese Pickles

An assortment of Japanese pickles including daikon, cucumbers, and carrots.

Japanese pickles are a mainstay of Japanese meals. Pictured here is Japanese pickled cucumber, carrots, and daikon radish.

I purchased these in a grocery store and enjoyed them as an accompaniment to our main meal. The pickles are so light and refreshing, and once you get a taste for them you'll want them to enjoy at every meal as well!

38) Kamameshi

Kamameshi is a dish of steamed rice with various vegetables, chicken, meat, and/or seafood. It is typically served in a pot which is set into wooden blocks for serving.

If you watch the YouTube video, you will catch a glimpse of kamameshi at the very beginning of the video, when I lift the lid off the pot to reveal the steaming rice. I had my kamemeshi at a restaurant in Kanazawa, with a view of Kanazawa Castle. 😊

Kamameshi translates to "kettle rice." It's delicately seasoned and absolutely delicious!

39) Kanazawa Snow Crab

Large crabs displayed for sale with prices on them.

Crab so fresh, it's still alive and moving in the market! I spotted these crabs in a market in Kanazawa, and I LOVE crab, but unfortunately these were out of my budget at the time! 14,000 yen is around $107 USD at the time of this writing so crabs definitely were not cheap!

Seafood from Kanazawa comes from the Sea of Japan. If you are in Kanazawa, Japan in winter, be sure to check out the snow crab there. It is considered the winter seafood champion!

Kanazawa-uminosachi.jp explains that the black dots that you see in the picture above are "the eggs of a type of leech called kani-hiru and indicate a particularly good catch. The more eggs on the shell, the more flavor is packed into the crab!" So now we know why these are so expensive!

40) Sakura (Japanese Cherry Blossom)

A sakura pastry or pastry that looks like a cherry blossom.

It is an absolute delight to be in Japan during the height of their Sakura season (cherry blossom season). Japanese Sakura are stunning to behold, and they can also be edible when preserved!

Here you see a pastry that is created to look like a Sakura, and in the middle are some edible cherry blossoms.

Be sure to treat yourself to some edible Sakura when in Japan!

Foods 41-51

Last But Not Least!

41) Edamame

A black bowl filled with edamame pods.

Edamame are young soybeans that are harvested before they are ripened or hardened. We were served this edamame at an izakaya (a Japanese bar that serves drinks and snacks) to nibble on.

The Japanese love edamame, so take the time to enjoy some as the Japanese do, eaten from the pod with a little salt. And don't forget the cold Asahi beer to go along with it!

42) Yaro Ramen MegaTon Ramen

Yaro Ramen Megaton Ramen

Yaro Ramen has locations around Tokyo, and there you can find the MegaTon Ramen for your enjoyment!

It's described as "Speciality Ramen with a all topping and large serving, based pork bone broth." It's basically a monster bowl of ramen, absolutely delicious, and a definite challenge to finish!

If the MegaTon is too much for you, you can grab one of their other delicious bowls of ramen. But why not try the MegaTon when you have the chance? 😄

43) Nasu (Japanese Eggplant)

Several bowls filled with Japanese eggplants on display for sale in a market.

Nasu, or Japanese eggplant, is quite different from our American eggplant. The nasu is slender, smaller, and not as bitter as our American eggplant. This versatile eggplant is great baked, broiled, steamed, stir fried, and grilled!

Here are some ways that the Japanese serve nasu. For instance:

  • Dengaku - the eggplant is cut in half and cooked with miso paste
  • Miso itame - eggplant stir fried with miso, sugar, and onions
  • Nasu zuke - pickled eggplant

I hope you get the chance to try all of the 3 dishes listed above!

44) Ekiben (Japan Rail Bento)

Various ekiben on display for sale. These are bento boxes that you buy on Japan Rail.
Various ekiben on display for sale. These are bento boxes that you buy on Japan Rail.

I had mentioned Ekiben earlier when I discussed grilled eel and lotus root. Ekiben is Bento which you can buy from Japan Rail. Bento is a meal in a portable box.

As you can see in these pictures, there are so very many beautiful ones available from Japan Rail! Honestly, a great day out for me would be eating Ekiben and traveling on Japanese trains all day!

I had rice ball bentos, sushi bentos, and grilled eel bentos (among others) on my rail travels. They were all beautiful, delicious, and very affordable!

You will have the opportunity to sample so many different Ekiben if you travel on Japan Rail!

45) Other Kit Kat Flavors

I kid you not, we came home from Japan with a suitcase full of Kit Kats! Here in this video you can see some of the various Kit Kats that Japan has to offer.

What's so fun is that there are regional varieties only available in different areas. So when traveling be sure to pick up the Kit Kat speciality of the region you are visiting!

46) Matcha Tea

A cup of Matcha Tea.

Matcha is the powdered form of green tea leaves, and is very popular in Japan. You will have many opportunities to try matcha in Japan.

You can have a cup of matcha in a restaurant, as I did. Or even better, enjoy it in a special tea ceremony. These ceremonies will involve preparing, serving, and drinking the tea in a ceremonial and ritualistic way. Consider taking part in this wonderful ceremony when in Japan!

Click here and search for Tea Ceremony to book your own experience in Japan!

47) Condensed Milk Bread From 7 Eleven

Packages of Condensed Milk breads from 7 Eleven Japan.

I had mentioned 7 Eleven in Japan earlier when discussing the Fried Noodle Sandwich. 7 Eleven actually also has quite a selection of breads, including this Condensed Milk Sandwich bread!

So this is like a French baguette with condensed milk cream inside the baguette. Genius combination and a MUST try, don't you think? 😃

48) Marion Crepes

A variety of different crepes on display at Marion Crepes in Japan.

I dare you to walk past this Marion Crepes display without stopping to peer at it! It's impossible! These are French inspired crepes, but Japanese style!

There are so many delicious versions to choose from and the combination of whipped cream and ice cream on a crepe is really hard to beat!

The crepes and shop are super cute and of course are delicious. By the way, if you are not a sweets person, Marion Crepes has you covered with savory crepes! They can be seen on the bottom row of the picture above with the green "lettuce" background.

49) Udon Noodles

A black bowl filled with udon noodles, broth, and a variety of ingredients including duck breast and fish cake.

Udon noodles are thick noodles made from wheat flour, and eaten extensively in Japan. Here you see them in a special broth called Jibuni, which is a speciality of Kanazawa.

Usually udon noodles are served in a hot broth (such as above), or they can also be served cold with a dipping sauce.

Be sure to enjoy some udon when in Japan!

50) Wild Grass Tea in Shirakawago

A hearth with an iron kettle on it and in the background there is a table with a thermos and teacups.
A thermos containing tea, some tea cups, and a sign that reads "This tea was boiled down wild grass in that iron pot" in English and Japanese.
A tea cup with wild grass tea in it and a thermos in the background.

Shirakawago (mentioned earlier when discussing Hida beef), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When touring the village and visiting the beautiful Gassho-style houses, you have the opportunity to drink some wild grass tea.

Visit Kanda House, and when you enter you will see an iron kettle on a hearth. The tea is made in this iron kettle, and you can sample some at your leisure.

Oh...and the tea is FREE!

51) The FRESHEST and MOST DELICIOUS Seafood!

So the last item on my list is not a specific food, but it's generally fresh and delicious seafood that I want to mention here.

You can walk into so many grocery stores and find an enormous selection of seafood. If you watch the video below, you can see a huge assortment of seafood at a grocery store I visited in Tokyo.

Japan truly is a seafoodie's paradise! I urge you to enjoy as much seafood as you can when in Japan!

I Hope This List Whets Your Appetite For A Food Adventure In Japan!

Japan is a food lover's paradise! The list I presented here is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to foods to discover in Japan.

But I hope that this list gives you some solid ideas of food to enjoy when visiting the Land of The Rising Sun!

You will absolutely love it!

Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!

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Questions or comments? Email me at grace@explorecookeat.com.

Cheers!

Grace

A Wonderful Visit To East Texas

March 19, 2022 by Grace Leave a Comment

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post will inspire you to visit East Texas!

Man, dog, and park bench with lots of pine trees in the background
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San Augustine is located in far East Texas, in a region called "The Piney Woods." This region is replete with large pines as you can see here. It's a beautiful part of Texas and great for exploring!

I'd like to share with you some wonderful places to visit in San Augustine and the surrounding areas!

Top Things To Do In San Augustine

Mission Dolores State Historic Site

Sign for Mission Dolores State Historic Site with dog and man

Mission Dolores was a Spanish mission built in the 1700's. Today there are no above ground remains, but there is an Interpretive Center where you can explore the history of the site. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it's a great place to learn about the Native American experience with early European settlers in Texas.

There is also a nice campground, frisbee golf course and nice short walking trail on which dogs are allowed.

Lobanillo Swales

sign for Lobanillo Swales and El Camino Real
picture of a swale

Part of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail runs through this area. El Camino Real (or The Royal Road) is a 2,500 mile trail which ran from colonial Mexico, through Texas, and into Louisiana.

From nps.gov: "The Spanish began using the trail in 1690, when Alonso de León, a Spanish explorer, crossed the Rio Grande heading to eastern Texas to establish missions. He followed routes previously used as Indian trails and trade routes."

You can visit the Lobanillo Swales, which shows the effect of travel over this area by thousands of people over many hundreds of years.

Ezekiel Cullen House

ezekiel cullen house

San Augustine has a number of historical homes. One of which is the Ezekiel Cullen House. From Daughters of the Republic of Texas: "Built in 1839 by noted architect Augustus Phelps, it eventually became the home of Judge Ezekiel Cullen, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas, and a member of the 3rd Congress."

The house contains paintings by San Augustine native S. Seymour Thomas, a renowned artist. You can tour the house by appointment only and more information on this historical home can be found at chron.com.

McMahan Chapel and Cemetery

McMahan Chapel
McMahan Chapel
Littleton Fowler Park
McMahan Chapel
McMahan Cemetery

McMahan Chapel is the oldest Protestant Church in Texas with a continuous history. It's a beautiful chapel, with lovely stained glass windows.

The church was established in 1833 and its first pastor was Littleton Fowler. When he died, he was buried under the pulpit (as per his request).

Across from the chapel is a beautiful cemetery, as well as Littleton Fowler Park. It's a small park in a beautiful setting with pines and a nice picnic area.

Lewis Hotel

Lewis Hotel

You will find the historic Lewis Hotel in East Texas. It is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. From PreservationTexas.org: "The Lewis Railroad Hotel served African American railroad workers in the early 20th century as a boarding house....The circa 1870 building is one of the few remaining traces of the economic opportunities seized by African Americans in the face of segregation. The hotel not only provided a safe haven for black travelers through the area, but also served as a home for black men working on the railroad."

San Augustine County Jail and County Courthouse

San Augustine County Jail
San Augustine County Jail
San Augustine County Courthouse

In the center of San Augustine, you will find both the San Augustine County Jail and County Courthouse. They are both Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks.

The Courthouse area is in a square which is a gathering place for the community. A stroll around the square is a MUST when in San Augustine!

Towering Decks and Spikes!

Across from the Courthouse and Jail, you will find this structure. It is a Gothic creation by local carpenter Gary Brewer, who lives in the home. At the far right of the picture, there seems to be a Christ figure on a cross.

This is definitely worth a look and you cannot miss it! Texas Monthly did a feature on this building called: "For Years, an East Texas Carpenter Has Been Building a Gothic Contraption of Decks and Spikes in a Historic Square" which is a fascinating read. Apparently, not everyone in San Augustine is fond of Mr. Brewer's project. Have a look and decide for yourself! 🙂

The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Remembering Columbia Museum

Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Remembering Columbia Museum
The 7 astronauts of the STS-107 Columbia

The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Remembering Columbia Museum is in Hemphill, TX. Hemphill is approximately a thirty minute drive from San Augustine.

A visit to this museum is an absolute MUST when in this area. Columbia disintegrated upon reentry over East Texas on February 1, 2003. From NasaColumbiaMuseum.com: "The PHS Museum tour takes you on a journey through Columbia's first historical flight of STS-1 through its last mission of STS-107. It also provides a glimpse of the recovery of Columbia and the Crew of STS-107, along with the two who lost their lives in the recovery efforts. This museum has many items and artifacts from NASA and its contractors, the families of the crew of STS-107, as well as from other individuals."

Remembering Columbia Memorial in Hemphill, TX

Just down the street from the museum, across from the Dairy Queen, is a memorial to Columbia and her astronauts. Part of the amazing story of the tragedy of Columbia is how the people of tiny Hemphill, Texas, all came together to help with the search and rescue efforts. The story is both tragic and heartwarming, and a visit to this museum will bolster your faith in humanity.

Let's Take A Hike!

Sabine National Forest Trail Between the Lakes

Hiking in the piney woods of East Texas is so wonderful and refreshing! If you are so inclined to hike, I want to recommend a hike in the Sabine National Forest. This forest is located in Hemphill, so it's nice to combine a visit to the NASA museum with a hike on the same day. 🚶🏽‍♀️

There is a 28 mile trail called "The Trail Between The Lakes" which we hiked while we were there. From fs.usda.gov the trail: "extends from Lakeview Recreation Area on Toledo Bend Reservoir to Highway 96 near Sam Rayburn Reservoir." Now we only hiked a portion of the trail (1.5 mile out and back) and it was lovely! The Forest Service states that hiking this trail is at its best in the early spring and fall, when it's most colorful. 🌼

Pineland Park

There's also a rather large park in the area called "Pineland Park." which is very big for such a small city (population less than 1000!). Great place to walk the dog if your bff is with you!

Let's Eat!

If you're interested in some good ole Texas barbecue, try Hemphill BBQ in Hemphill, TX (I have linked to their Facebook page). We had their Chopped Beef Sandwich and Boudin Sausage (you are VERY close to Louisiana when in this area!) and they were really good!

Hemphill BBQ
Chopped Beef Sandwich
Boudin Sausage

Where To Stay

Last but definitely not least is a recommendation for an AMAZING home in San Augustine to stay during your visit.

Home in San Augustine

This fantastic home was built in 1929. It's impeccably decorated, spacious, and extremely affordable. Dog friendly too (with the host's permission)! 😊

You can find the listing for this home on airbnb here.

Plan Your Visit Soon!

My hope is that you will plan a visit to San Augustine and far East Texas soon. There is so much history in the area so it's great for history buffs!

You will find peace and quiet and charm that only small towns can offer when visiting this area.

Never stop exploring and make everyday an adventure!

Some Other Places In Texas That Are Fun To Visit!

Budget Friendly Fun in Lindale and Tyler, Texas

Grace sitting on a throne at The Pink Pistol Lindale Texas with a sign which says we made the roadtrip

3 Day Weekend - Glen Rose, Granbury, and Dublin, TX

Dinosaur Track at Dinosaur Valley State Park

Cheers!

Grace

Chicken Breast Sandwich Inspired By Pam's Hateful Hussy Diner

November 19, 2020 by Grace 2 Comments

This page may contain affiliate links. So, I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about a Chicken Breast Sandwich inspired by a trip to Pam's Hateful Hussy Diner!

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with bacon, pepper jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, honey mustard dressing in a kaiser roll

Road Trip To Southeastern Oklahoma

Just about a year ago Steve, Toby, and I took a road trip from TX where we live to Oklahoma. We stayed in Southeastern Oklahoma in the town of Clayton, near a massive lake called Sardis Lake.

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Nishiki Market - 1,000 Foods To Eat Project

July 25, 2020 by Grace Leave a Comment

This page may contain affiliate links. So I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about a visit to Nishiki Market in Kyoto, Japan!

1,000 Foods to Eat Project

I am working my way through the foods that are listed in the book 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die by Mimi Sheraton. This is called my 1,000 Foods to Eat Project. A visit to Nishiki Market in Kyoto, Japan was food #37 in my project. 🙂

Ok, so Nishiki Market is not a food. The book actually lists some of what I would classify as "food experiences," of which a visit to this amazing market in Kyoto is one.

1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die Front Jacket
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An Awesome Visit To Mame Shiba Inu Cafe in Tokyo

June 13, 2020 by Grace Leave a Comment

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about the a visit to the Mame Shiba Inu Cafe in Tokyo!

Mame Shiba Inu Cafe

Shiba Inu and Mame Shiba Inu

The Japanese love the Shiba Inu. They are a small to medium sized hunting dog that is native to Japan. In fact, they are one of Japan's most popular breeds, and some of them are actually superstars!

The Mame Shiba Inu is a smaller version of the Shiba Inu. And as has become popular in Japan, you can play with certain animals in cafes. If you want to play with Mame Shiba Inus, you can visit the Mame Shiba Inu Cafe in Tokyo!

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Incredible and Amazing Nara Deer Park!

June 2, 2020 by Grace Leave a Comment

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about the AMAZING Nara Deer Park!!

people and deer at nara deer park
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A visit to Nara Deer Park is a MUST if you visit Japan!

We recently completed a 3 week tour of Japan. I completely fell in love with this amazing country. There is beauty beyond compare, and such a fascinating array of things to eat and explore!

One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Nara Deer Park. Nara is fairly close to Kyoto, so we were able to take a day trip to Nara from Kyoto, where we were staying.

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Cedric's Tavern and Toby

May 14, 2020 by Grace Leave a Comment

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about Cedric's Tavern and our dog Toby. 🙂

Cedric's Tavern

April 2018 was the first trip we ever took with Toby our St. Bernard. We went to Asheville, North Carolina. If you haven't been to Asheville I highly recommend you visit!

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Asheville, NC - Food Lover's Dream

June 1, 2019 by Grace 2 Comments

No Taste Like Home Tour

I confess when we decided to travel to Asheville, we didn't know much about it. We discovered during our week there, that it is a food and craft beer lover's dream. Asheville has an absolutely thriving food scene, and apparently has more breweries per capita than any other state in the US!

Here are a few foodie highlights from our visit, and if you love food you will LOVE Asheville!

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Awesome Dog Friendly Taos Earthship Experience

May 23, 2019 by Grace Leave a Comment

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about an Awesome Dog Friendly Taos Earthship Experience!

Taos Earthship, Taos, New Mexico

As soon as I saw this Taos Earthship on AirBnb, I knew we had to stay there. To my delight I discovered that it was dog friendly (a MUST as Toby has to have his adventures too!) and affordable! Located in Taos, New Mexico, it is set on a one acre lot that is private, serene, and the views are oh so incredible.

Taos Earthship
Taos Earthship - look at the views!

What is an Earthship?

The Earthship concept was pioneered by architect Michael Reynolds. This particular Earthship is a Michael Reynolds Earthship, and was designed by his wife. This AirBnb, hosted by Rex, who is the most accommodating and lovely host, is in a most unique community. The house faces a pyramid (about 3 minutes walk from the house), and the listing states that Michael Reynolds actually received inspiration for the earthships during meditations in the pyramid.

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Top Things To Do In The Taos Area!

April 26, 2019 by Grace 4 Comments

I love New Mexico, but had never stayed in the Taos area until recently. Better late than never! Taos is not just a ski destination. There are so many varied and wonderful things to do and see in Taos. Taos is for everyone!

Top Things To Do In The Taos Area

Ojo Caliente

Waterfall and landscaping at Ojo Caliente

Ojo Caliente is one of the oldest health resorts in North America. Translated it means "Hot Eye." It is located approximately 45 minutes away from Taos, and the drive to the resort is beautiful from Taos.

Sign for Artesian Restaurant

They have a great restaurant on site, called the Artesian. Prior to experiencing the hot springs and saunas, we dined at the Artesian and had some great fish tacos and a New Mexican classic: the green chili cheeseburger. 🙂

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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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