When compared to other Asian nations such as Thailand or Taiwan, street food culture is less popular in Japan. While regular night markets are unusual, Japanese food sellers go to the streets in droves during the hundreds of festivals held around the country each year, with some merchants traveling from city to city every night. Here are some of Japanese street foods to look for.
1. Takoyaki
Takoyaki is a popular Japanese dish. The name means ‘fried octopus.’ It’s made from small balls of batter filled with pieces of octopus, green onions, ginger, and tempura bits. Once fried, these balls become crispy and delicious.
These takoyaki balls are then topped with more green onions, fish shavings, mayonnaise, and a special sauce. This sauce tastes a bit like Worcester sauce. Even though there’s octopus in it, the flavor is not too strong. In fact, it’s quite mild and has a gooey texture.
You can find takoyaki sellers in many places in Japan. But they’re most common in the city of Osaka. That’s where takoyaki was first made. But now, you can enjoy this tasty dish in almost every city in Japan.
2. Kare Pan
Kare pan is a type of Japanese bread known as okazu pan. Okazu pan is bread filled with different tasty things. Kare pan is made from a slightly sweet dough. This dough is covered in breadcrumbs and then deep fried. Inside, there’s a creamy Japanese curry.
Japanese curry is different from other Asian curries. It’s dark in color and has a mild flavor. When you bite into a kare pan, you’ll first taste the crispy outside. Then, you’ll get to the soft inside. It’s a unique and delicious Japanese treat.
Even though kare pan isn’t as common as some other Japanese foods, it’s definitely worth trying. Its combination of textures and flavors make it a special delicacy. So, if you ever have the chance to try kare pan, go for it! You might just find a new favorite food.
3. Crêpes
Crêpes are a type of thin pancake. They didn’t start in Japan, but they’re very popular there. In Japan, crêpes are often eaten as a street food. They’re usually served in a cone shape, which makes them easy to eat while walking around.
Japanese crêpes are made with fresh ingredients. These can be sweet things like fruits or savory things like eggs. Compared to French crêpes, Japanese ones are often a bit crispier.
Some Japanese crêpes have special ingredients. For example, some have azuki beans and whipped cream. Others might have teriyaki chicken. These ingredients give the crêpes a unique Japanese twist.
If you’re ever in Tokyo, there’s a famous place to try these crêpes. It’s called Marion Crêpes and it’s on a street called Takeshita-dori in Harajuku.
4. Gyoza
Gyoza is a type of dumpling that comes from China, where it’s called jiaozi. But it’s also really popular in Japan. Gyoza are deep-fried and filled with tasty things like minced pork, green onion, nira chives, cabbage, garlic ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Usually, gyoza are served in groups of six. They come with a special dipping sauce made from soy sauce and vinegar. This sauce adds extra flavor to the dumplings.
You can find gyoza at many places in Japan. They’re often served at izakaya, which are casual Japanese bars, and ramen cafes. But that’s not the only places you can find them. Gyoza are also common at festivals and street markets.
So, if you’re ever in Japan, be sure to try some gyoza. They’re a delicious treat that you won’t want to miss! And remember, even though gyoza started in China, the Japanese version is a unique and tasty dish all its own.
5. Korokke
Korokke is a dish from Japan that’s similar to French croquettes. It’s made from mashed potatoes or cream sauce. This is then covered in breadcrumbs and deep-fried to make a patty.
Korokke is a casual dish that’s a bit greasy, but very satisfying. It can be filled with different things. In fact, some parts of Japan are known for their special versions of korokke. When you buy korokke from a street seller, it’s usually wrapped in paper. This makes it easy to hold and eat.
6. Yaki Tomorokoshi
In Japan, corn, or “tomorokoshi,” is often used in foods like pizzas, breads, and pastas. This might surprise people from other countries.
During festival times, you can find street sellers grilling corn on a stick. The corn is cooked first, then grilled with miso. This gives it a smoky flavor. After grilling, the corn is spread with butter and seasoned with soy sauce. This dish is called Yaki Tomorokoshi.
Hokkaido, a region in Japan, is known for this grilled corn. That’s because most of Japan’s corn is grown there. But you can find Yaki Tomorokoshi all over Japan. So, if you’re ever in Japan, be sure to try some Yaki Tomorokoshi. It’s a tasty way to enjoy corn, and it’s a big part of Japanese food culture! You might find that you like corn on pizza or in pasta too!
7. Shioyaki
Shioyaki is a yummy snack from Japan. It’s made from fish that’s cooked and served on a stick. Mackerel, or “saba” in Japanese, is often used for this dish. That’s because mackerel is a common fish in Japan.
To make the fish taste even better, it’s seasoned with just salt. This brings out the flavor of the fish’s flaky meat. You can often find saba shioyaki at festivals in Japan. It’s sold at street booths and is a favorite among festival-goers. There’s also a similar dish called tai no shioyaki. This is salt-grilled sea bream. It’s a traditional dish that’s often served at New Year’s feasts in Japan.
8. Dango
Dango is a type of dumpling from Japan. It’s made from sticky rice flour and water. These ingredients are cooked until they’re firm and form round dumplings.
Usually, you’ll see three or four dango on a skewer. They’re seasoned with different kinds of sweet or savory sauces or pastes. This makes each bite full of flavor.
One popular type of dango is called Mitarashi dango. For this kind, the rice dumplings are grilled. Then, they’re topped with a sauce made from soy. This gives them a unique and tasty flavor. You can often find dango sellers outside Shinto temples in Japan. They grill the dango right there, so you get to enjoy these yummy treats fresh off the grill.
9. Sweet Potato
Japanese sweet potatoes are usually sweeter than the ones we have in the West. You can find them on the streets of Japan, especially during the fall and winter.
There are many ways to cook these sweet potatoes. One popular dish is called Daigaku imo, which means “university potato.” For this dish, pieces of sweet potato are deep-fried. Then, they’re topped with a sweet syrup and toasted sesame seeds. It’s a tasty treat that’s loved by many.
Some sellers roast the whole sweet potato over hot stones. This gives the potato a nice, smoky flavor. Others cut the potato into thick chips. These chips are then salted and sugared. So, if you’re ever in Japan during the fall or winter, be sure to try some Japanese sweet potatoes. Whether they’re deep-fried, roasted, or turned into chips, they’re a delicious snack that you’ll surely enjoy!
10. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a dish from Japan that’s sometimes called a “Japanese pancake.” It’s cooked on a griddle, just like pancakes are. This yummy dish is made from flour, eggs, cabbage, and a mix of different veggies and meats.
There are two main ways to cook okonomiyaki. One way is called “Kansai Style.” For this, all the ingredients are mixed together before they’re put on the grill. The other way is “Hiroshima Style.” Here, the batter and other parts are cooked separately. Then, they’re layered on top of yakisoba noodles.
No matter which style it’s cooked in, okonomiyaki is usually topped with dried seaweed, pickled red ginger, mayonnaise, and a special okonomiyaki sauce.
11. Yakitori
Yakitori is a dish from Japan. It’s made from small pieces of chicken that are put on a bamboo stick and cooked on a barbecue. You can use different parts of the chicken to make yakitori. This includes the thighs and wings, but also the liver, skin, small intestine, or cartilage.
The chicken is usually seasoned with salt or a tasty sauce. This gives the yakitori lots of flavor. But yakitori isn’t just about chicken. Some skewers have other things on them too.
For example, there’s a type of yakitori called tsukune. This is made from balls of minced chicken, egg, vegetables, and seasonings. There’s also negima, where pieces of chicken and bits of leek are put on the skewer together. So, if you’re ever in Japan, be sure to try some yakitori. It’s a delicious way to enjoy chicken, and there are so many different types to try!
13. Senbei
Senbei are a type of rice cracker from Japan. They come in many flavors, shapes, and sizes. You can find senbei in supermarkets, but the best ones are bought on the street. There, they’re grilled over a charcoal fire, which makes them extra tasty.
In Tokyo, senbei are thick and crispy. This is because of the kind of rice they use. But in Kyoto, senbei are lighter. They use a different kind of rice called mochigome.
Most senbei are salty. They’re seasoned with soy sauce or salt. But you can also find sweet senbei. So, if you’re ever in Japan, be sure to try some senbei. Whether you like them salty or sweet, there’s a senbei for everyone! It’s a delicious snack that’s fun to eat.
14. Yakisoba
Yakisoba is a dish from Japan. It’s made with noodles that are similar to ramen. These noodles are stir-fried with small pieces of pork and veggies like cabbage, carrots, and onions.
This yummy dish is like Chinese chow mein. It’s seasoned with a special sauce that gives the noodles a sour and spicy taste. The noodles are usually topped with seaweed flakes, fish flakes, and red pickled ginger. This makes yakisoba a great light meal or snack.
Sometimes, yakisoba is served in a bun, like a hot dog. It’s topped with mayonnaise and pickled ginger. So, if you’re ever in Japan, be sure to try some yakisoba. It’s a tasty treat that’s fun to eat! Whether you have it on a plate or in a bun, you’re sure to enjoy this delicious dish.
