Yakitori (placeholder image)

Eat & drink

Classic Japanese dishes, the kinds of places that serve them, and where we like to eat them.

New to Japanese food? Start here. Each dish has a short guide and links to places we have actually eaten at.

Classic Japanese dishes

Assorted sushi: nigiri, rolls and sea urchin gunkan (temporary image)Sushi寿司Vinegared rice with fish, from counter omakase to plates on a belt.RamenラーメンNoodles in a rich broth. Every region has its own style.2 places on JAPALOKake udon topped with green onion and tempura bits (temporary image)UdonうどんThick, soft wheat noodles in a light dashi broth.Cold dipping soba set (temporary image)SobaそばBuckwheat noodles, cold with a dip or hot in broth.Vegetable and sweetfish tempura set meal (temporary image)Tempura天ぷらSeafood and vegetables in a light, crisp batter.Chicken skewers grilled over charcoal (temporary image)Yakitori焼き鳥Chicken skewers grilled over charcoal. Best with a cold drink.1 place on JAPALOJapanese curry rice with pickled ginger (temporary image)Curry riceカレーライスMild, thick Japanese curry over rice. Comfort food.Golden fried pork cutlet (tonkatsu) (temporary image)TonkatsuとんかつBreaded, deep-fried pork cutlet with shredded cabbage.1 place on JAPALOGrilled rice balls with miso (temporary image)OnigiriおにぎりRice balls with a filling. Snack, breakfast or late-night meal.1 place on JAPALOGyudon beef bowl with pickled ginger (temporary image)Donburi (rice bowls)丼ものA bowl of rice with a topping: beef, egg and chicken, cutlet.Seared beef slices with green onion and grated chili at ManabeNabe (hot pot)鍋A pot cooked at the table and shared. Sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, motsunabe.1 place on JAPALOHiroshima-style okonomiyaki on the griddle (temporary image)Okonomiyakiお好み焼きA savoury pancake cooked on a hot iron plate.1 place on JAPALOTakoyaki cooking in a round-hole iron plate (temporary image)Takoyakiたこ焼きOctopus balls, crisp outside and molten inside. Osaka street food.Pan-fried gyoza with a crisp bottom (temporary image)Gyoza餃子Pan-fried dumplings with a crisp bottom.1 place on JAPALOBeef grilled over charcoal (yakiniku) (temporary image)Yakiniku焼肉Grill-it-yourself beef and pork at the table.Cherry-blossom nerikiri sweets with matcha (temporary image)Wagashi & matcha和菓子・抹茶Traditional sweets, often served with green tea.

Kinds of places to eat

Seared beef slices with green onion and grated chili at ManabeIzakaya居酒屋A casual pub with many small plates to share.3 places on JAPALOShrimp nigiri on a small white plate (temporary image)Conveyor-belt sushi回転寿司Sushi on small plates, picked off a belt or ordered on a screen.Kake udon topped with green onion and tempura bits (temporary image)Standing noodle bars立ち食いそば・うどんQuick, cheap noodles at a counter, often inside or near stations.Rice balls in a convenience-store case (temporary image)Convenience storesコンビニOpen all night, with real food: onigiri, bento, hot snacks.

Local specialties

Champon noodles (placeholder image)Nagasaki champonA comforting bowl packed with local flavors.Slices of Nagasaki castella sponge cakeNagasaki castellaA sweet classic with a long history.Japanese set meal with grilled fishLocal set mealsFresh seafood, hearty flavors and everyday favorites.

Photos on these guide pages are temporary stock images until we replace them with our own.