Hello, I’m Hirossy.
Some people who visit Japan for the first time may wonder,
“I want to try Japanese food, but what should I eat first?”
“There are many famous foods, but I want to know which ones are easy to try.”
When people think of Japanese food, they may think of sushi, ramen, tempura, wagyu beef, and many other dishes.
But if it is your first time, it may be a little difficult to choose.
As an ordinary Japanese dad, I eat many kinds of food in my daily life.
And I think there are some Japanese foods that are easy for beginners to try.
In this article, I will gently introduce some Japanese foods that I recommend for first-time visitors to Japan.
Conclusion
If you are trying Japanese food for the first time, I recommend starting with these three foods:
- Sushi
- Ramen
- Curry rice
These three foods are very popular in Japan.
They are also easy to find while traveling, and many people can enjoy them without too much difficulty.
Of course, Japan has many other kinds of food.
Also, what people eat can be different depending on the family or the area.
But as a first step, I think these three are easy to understand because they feel Japanese and are easy to try during a trip.
Why Do I Recommend These Three Foods?
1. They are easy to understand as Japanese food
Sushi, ramen, and curry rice are foods that many people connect with Japan.
When people hear “Japanese food,” many of them think of sushi.
Ramen is also popular around the world now.
Curry rice may surprise some people, but in Japan, it is a very common everyday meal.
So these three foods are special for travelers, but at the same time, they are also familiar foods for many Japanese people.
2. They are easy to find during a trip
When you travel for the first time, it is nice to eat something easy and simple.
In Japan, sushi restaurants, ramen shops, and curry chain restaurants are quite easy to find.
You can often find them near big stations or inside shopping malls.
Chain restaurants are especially useful for beginners.
They are easy to enter, and the prices are usually clear.
3. Many people can enjoy the taste
Japanese food has many different kinds of dishes.
But some foods may be a little difficult for beginners.
For example, natto and umeboshi may be difficult for some people.
Even some Japanese people do not like them.
Natto has a strong smell and a sticky texture.
Umeboshi is very sour and salty.
Of course, some people love them.
But if someone asks me, “What Japanese food should I try first?”
I think it is better to start with something easier to eat.
Three Japanese Foods I Recommend for Beginners
1. Sushi
Sushi is one of the most famous Japanese foods.
Many people may imagine sushi with raw fish on top of rice.
But actually, there are many kinds of sushi.
If you are not sure about raw fish, you can try easier options such as:
- Egg sushi
- Shrimp sushi
- Tuna mayo sushi
- Salmon sushi
- Inari sushi
In Japan, conveyor belt sushi restaurants are very popular.
They are casual and easy to enter.
Many sushi restaurants also have touch screens for ordering.
So even if you are not confident in Japanese, it can be easier to order.
However, sushi restaurants can be very different.
Some are expensive and high-class, while others are casual and affordable.
If it is your first time, I think it is nice to start with a casual sushi restaurant.
2. Ramen
Ramen is one food that many visitors want to try in Japan.
There are many kinds of ramen soup, such as:
- Soy sauce ramen
- Miso ramen
- Salt ramen
- Tonkotsu ramen
Each soup has a different taste.
So it is fun to find your favorite one.
If you like rich flavors, you may enjoy one kind of ramen.
If you like a lighter taste, you may enjoy another kind.
I also often choose ramen when I eat out.
When my family goes out and we talk about what to eat, ramen is often one of the choices.
That is how common ramen is in Japan.
Instant noodles and cup noodles are also very popular in Japan.
For instant food, I like Chicken Ramen.
I also like UFO cup yakisoba.
Trying instant noodles can also be a fun and easy way to enjoy Japanese flavors.
3. Curry Rice
Japanese curry rice may be a little different from curry in other countries.
Japanese curry is usually thick and served with rice.
It is not too spicy, and many people feel that it has a gentle taste.
Curry rice is also popular with children.
Many Japanese families make it at home.
You can also eat it at restaurants, and there are many curry chain restaurants in Japan.
So it is easy to find while traveling.
When people hear “Japanese food,” they may first think of sushi or sashimi.
But curry rice is also a very familiar food in Japanese daily life.
Japanese Food Is Not Only Traditional Food
Some people may think Japanese food means only traditional meals.
But actually, the food people enjoy in Japan is very wide.
For example, ramen and curry rice originally came from other food cultures.
But they became popular in Japan and changed in a Japanese way.
Now they are a natural part of Japanese food culture.
So Japanese food does not always mean only old traditional dishes.
Japanese People Also Have Different Tastes
Some people may ask, “Do all Japanese people like natto?”
But the answer is no.
Foods like natto and umeboshi are common in Japan, but not everyone likes them.
Some people love them, and some people do not.
It also depends on the family and the area.
So if you try a Japanese food and do not like it, you do not need to worry.
There are many kinds of Japanese food, so you can slowly find what you like.
Easy Food Ideas for Your Trip
When you visit Japan for the first time, you may often eat near stations or in shopping malls.
For example, you can try:
- Curry rice for lunch
- Ramen for dinner
- Sushi the next day
This is an easy way to try Japanese food little by little.
Chain restaurants are easy to enter, and many restaurants have pictures on the menu.
This can help you order even if you do not understand Japanese well.
In my family, we sometimes go to ramen shops or sushi restaurants when we eat out.
My children also love McDonald’s, even though it is not Japanese food.
McDonald’s is in America too, but Japanese children enjoy it as well.
So you do not have to eat only Japanese-style food every time during your trip.
I think it is best to enjoy food in a relaxed way.
Choose what looks easy and delicious for you.
Gentle Advice for Visitors
1. Starting with famous foods is okay
You do not need to think, “I must eat something very special.”
For your first Japanese food experience, sushi, ramen, and curry rice are enough.
They are famous, easy to find, and enjoyable.
2. Chain restaurants can be helpful
You do not always need to search for famous restaurants or expensive restaurants.
In Japan, many chain restaurants are affordable and easy to use.
The taste is often stable, and they can be comfortable for beginners.
3. You do not need to force yourself
Foods like natto and umeboshi have strong flavors.
You can try them later if you are interested.
You do not need to challenge yourself too much at first.
Japan has many delicious foods that are easier to enjoy.
4. Use menus with pictures
Many restaurants in Japan have menus with pictures.
Some restaurants also have food samples outside the shop.
Even if you do not know much Japanese, pictures can help you choose.
Conclusion
If you are trying Japanese food for the first time, I recommend starting with sushi, ramen, and curry rice.
These three foods feel Japanese, are easy to find during a trip, and are not too difficult for many beginners.
Of course, Japanese food is not only these three dishes.
There are many local foods, home-style meals, and unique flavors.
But for your first step, you do not need to think too hard.
Just try one food that looks interesting to you.
I hope Japanese food helps you feel a little closer to Japan and Japanese daily life.
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