When you try food from another country, some dishes will suit your taste… and some might not.
But after introducing many kinds of Japanese food to my foreign friends, I found that some dishes are always a hit!
So here are some Japanese foods that my non-Japanese friends loved the most.
I think you’ll love them too—let’s take a look!
Doteni
A rich, miso-based stew made with beef offal and vegetables.
It has a deep, savory flavor that goes perfectly with rice.
Honestly, I could eat three bowls of rice with this.
If you like strong, comforting flavors, this one’s for you.
Chikuwa no isobe age
This is a deep-fried fish cake coated with seaweed flakes.
The shape looks a flute, and it’s crunchy on the outside, chewy inside.
It’s easy to make at home, and also popular at izakaya (Japanese pubs).
A perfect snack with beer!
Nikujaga
A classic Japanese home-cooked dish: a stew made with beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions, simmered in soy sauce and sugar.
It’s sweet, savory, and super comforting.
Many Japanese people grow up eating this—it tastes like home.
Tukuemono
These are pickled vegetables that often come as a side dish with rice.
Slightly sour, sometimes salty, and always refreshing.
They might look simple, but they’re the perfect match with plain rice!
Agedashi Tofu
This is not your usual tofu.
Lightly fried tofu served in a warm dashi-based broth (dashi is Japanese soup stock made from fish and seaweed).
Soft inside, crispy outside, and full of umami.
You can often find this dish at traditional restaurants and izakaya.
Kinpira gobo
This is a stir-fry of burdock root and carrot seasoned with soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil.
It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and earthy.
A common side dish in Japanese lunch boxes—and one of the healthiest, too!
Chawan mushi
A silky, steamed egg custard dish, usually filled with shrimp, mushroom, chicken, and ginkgo nuts.
It looks like dessert but tastes savory and delicate.
Served warm, often in a small cup with a lid—like a little treasure chest.
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