The guide to food & drink in Japan
If you’re anything like us, food is one of the main selling points of a holiday to Japan! And don’t worry if your kids haven’t developed a taste for sushi yet, because there’s a whole world of delicious dishes on the Japanese menu.
Tempura veg and seafood, donburi rice dishes, ramen noodle bowls, gyozas and katsu curries are among the local meals that kids seem to love, and there’s plenty more on offer if they’re adventurous. In fact, it’s very difficult to find food in Japan that isn’t delicious – even a pot noodle from a vending machine taste like its been made with love!
Vegetarians and vegans should be fine too, with Japan famous for it tofu and vegetable dishes. Just be aware that veganism isn’t always fully understood and many vegetarian dishes use ingredients like egg or fish sauce. If you want to be sure, we recommend downloading the Happy Cow app which lists vegan restaurants across the world.
If any of your family have allergies, we recommend making an allergy card with the ingredients you need to avoid translated into Japanese.
Traditional Japanese food
Japanese food is all about balance and presentation. Meals usually start with a bowl of fluffy white rice, with tasty sides (called okazu) like grilled fish, tofu, or veggies, plus miso soup and crunchy pickles. Eating here is a bit like art. Even simple restaurants take pride in how dishes look, and traditional feasts like kaiseki are almost too pretty to eat—though kids will probably dive in anyway!
Donburi
Donburi is a comforting Japanese dish served in generously sized bowls, featuring a base of fluffy rice topped with grilled, fried, or simmered fish, meat, or tofu. Almost anything can be transformed into a delicious donburi variation, making it endlessly versatile and always satisfying. Hearty, flavorful, and family-friendly, it’s a dish that rarely misses the mark. The sauces are just as diverse as the toppings—ranging from light soy-based broths to bold, spicy blends like orange tekkadon sauce—ensuring there’s a donburi to suit every taste.
Sushi is Japan’s most famous foodie export, and for good reason! It’s simple, delicate and always feels a little bit special. Long ago, fish was preserved with salted rice (nare-zushi), but it was in the Edo period (1600s–1800s) that sushi really took shape, pairing fresh fish with rice the way we know it today.
From neat rolls (makizushi) to fun cone shapes (temaki), fillings can be anything from fish and veggies to meat or egg. Kids often love the variety, and with modern twists like California rolls or even sushi burritos, there’s something for every taste.
Worldwide Japanese adaptations
Ramen
Although often thought of as quintessentially Japanese, ramen actually traces its roots back to China. This beloved dish features springy wheat noodles served in a rich and flavorful broth with an endless variety of toppings. Beyond the classic version, ramen can also be made with soba (thin buckwheat) or udon (thick buckwheat) noodles, offering different textures and flavors. One must-try is tonkotsu ramen, a hearty style made with a slow-cooked pork bone broth, often enriched with soy or miso, and paired with tender noodles and savory toppings.
Curry
Japanese curry is comfort food at its finest, mild, savory and deeply satisfying. Among its many variations, the most famous is katsu curry, featuring a crispy breaded cutlet served over rice and smothered in rich curry sauce. Its popularity has spread far beyond Japan, making it a favorite around the world.
Italian and Korean Cuisine
Japan has reimagined many classic Italian dishes, creating unique pasta sauces often paired with prawns, lobster or crab, and sometimes enhanced with the rich flavor of sea urchin. Alongside these Italian-inspired creations, Korean cuisine has also made its mark. Korean barbecue restaurants are especially popular, offering an array of grilled delights such as skewered meats, fresh fish, seasonal vegetables and kimchi, the famous spicy fermented cabbage and beans.
Ordering Food
One of the most enjoyable aspects of dining in Japan is the experience of ordering. Sometimes you may not even be sure exactly what you are eating, but that sense of discovery is part of the fun. Many restaurants use modern systems such as iPads or touchscreen ordering machines, and in some places your meal arrives by conveyor belt, turning dinner into an experience as well as a meal.
Veggie and vegan food in Japan
Vegetarian and Vegan Dining
Japan is not the easiest destination for vegetarians or vegans, and options can sometimes feel limited. That said, it is far from impossible. With a little forward planning and the help of handy smartphone apps (see our ‘Top Vegan and Vegetarian Tips’ article below), you can quickly find restaurants and cafés that cater to plant-based diets.
Tempura
Tempura is a beloved Japanese dish made by deep-frying vegetables or seafood in a light, crisp batter. Despite being fried, tempura is rarely heavy or oily, and its delicate texture and flavor make it a favorite with locals and visitors alike.
Tofu and Dofu
Tofu, sometimes called dofu, is a staple ingredient in Japanese cooking with deep roots in vegetarian Buddhist cuisine. Made by pressing curdled soy milk into blocks, it has a subtle flavor that pairs beautifully with many dishes. One classic preparation to look out for is agedashi tofu, where the tofu is lightly fried and served with toppings such as crispy onion flakes, grated daikon and chopped scallions.
Miso Soup
Miso soup is a comforting staple you’ll encounter everywhere in Japan, and the good news is that you can enjoy as much as you like. It is made from dashi, a savory stock, combined with miso paste, a fermented soybean seasoning. Often garnished with seaweed and tofu, miso soup is sipped directly from the bowl rather than eaten with a spoon, making it both nourishing and uniquely Japanese.
Top vegan & vegetarian tips
One of the most helpful resources for plant-based travelers in Japan is the Happy Cow website and app, which makes it easy to locate vegetarian, vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants. Simply enter your location, and nearby suggestions appear on the map. It is also a smart idea to carry a few printed Japanese phrases to use in restaurants. Simple sentences such as “I don’t eat meat” or “I don’t eat dairy” can go a long way in helping locals guide you to suitable dishes.
Convenience stores like 7-Eleven are another unexpected ally for vegans and vegetarians. Their bento boxes are usually labeled clearly enough that you can check the ingredients at a glance, making it easier to spot plant-based options on the go.
Japan gluten free advice
- Take your own Tamari sauce
- Take a translation card to explain in restaurants
- Rice is your best friend – as it’s mainly gluten free
- Be careful with sushi as the rice can be mixed with vinegar made with barley
- Track down the Holy Mecca restaurant in Tokyo which is entirely gluten-free
For even more tips and advice on travelling to Japan with gluten free dietary requirements, view our top 8 tips in this handy guide.