Japan. Endles Discovery.

Cuisine

Japanese Cuisine

So revered is Japan’s cuisine that you can find it almost anywhere in the world, whether it’s your local sushi train or a bar that’s serving sake. Despite this, absolutely nothing compares to the quality and variety of cuisine you can enjoy when in Japan.

From the traditional dishes of Kaiseki cuisine, sashimi, sushi and more that were developed from thousands of years of isolation, to truly unique regional specialties, all of which are accompanied by distinctive and iconic Japanese drinks; Japan provides a smorgasbord of options for food lovers to discover.

Begin your journey of endless discovery into the cuisine of Japan below.

The Vegetarian’s Food Guide to Japan

Discover Japan’s abundant vegetarian food and delights! Learn what to eat, where to eat and how to order in this guide.

Top 10 Unique Flavours to Explore in Japan

Travelling to Japan? Here's a list of top 10 unique and tasty flavours you can try during your trip.

Six Japanese foods to try for the adventurous

Take note of these six lesser-known, yet quintessentially Japanese dishes for you to try on your next visit to Japan.

An essential guide to Japanese dining etiquette

Failing to behave like a Japanese resident isn’t the cultural faux pas you might think it is. But, if you do want to get into the spirit of things and give Japanese dining customs your best shot – here’s a few tips to help you on your way.

10 dishes you shouldn’t leave Japan without trying

Here are a few popular Japanese dishes you really shouldn’t leave the country without trying.

The art of yoshoku: Six popular western dishes reinvented in Japan

Western food (yoshoku) in Japan doesn’t exactly mean hamburgers, spaghetti, and fish and chips – at least, not as we know it.

The cheapest and most expensive gourmet foods you’ll find in Japan

From the exorbitant to the best budget bites, here are some of the most expensive and cheapest foods you’ll find in Japan.

MasterChef Australia in Japan

Follow MasterChef Australia judges Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris, and contestants as they journey to Japan for the first time!

EAT JAPAN: an essential guide to this culinary hot spot

We have created a 16-page guide on the incredible culinary experiences that await any hungry (and thirsty!) explorer to the land of the rising sun.

Click to download

Eat like a locavore: An insider’s guide to Japan’s food scene

We catch up with Australian food writer Jessie Thompson to get the lowdown on where to find Japan’s best food and drink – from cheap eats to fusion foods, market fare and beyond.

A chef’s guide to Tokyo and beyond

Sharing his favourite places to eat, drink, shop and play in the country he’s made a life in, Matt Crabbe knows a thing or two about Japan’s food scene.

Seven must-try food experiences in Japan

From quick bites from street vendors to over-the-top dining experiences fit for royalty and traditional meals created by sprightly seniors, Japan delivers it all.

Spotlight on sake: a guide to drinking Japan’s iconic brew

Synonymous with good times, sake (Japanese rice wine) is a drink found all over the world, but there’s no better place to sip on sake than in Japan.

The price is right: Japan’s best budget and blow-out eats

From cheap eats to gourmet gastronomy, in Japan it’s possible to eat well at every price point. Here’s some of the best dining experiences at both ends of the scale.

Taste of Japan: 6 Places Beyond Tokyo

Japan is renowned for its diverse and delicious cuisine. From ramen in Kyoto, to pancakes in Hiroshima, no matter where you are in Japan dining delights are plentiful. With the help of foodie bible Delicious magazine, we’ve rounded up the best ‘off the beaten track’ culinary hotspots.

Traditional

Thousands of years of isolation allowed Japan to develop a selection of unique and distinctive cuisines. From sushi and sashimi to tonkatsu and tempura, the traditional cuisine of Japan is known worldwide for not only its taste and flavours, but also for the immaculate preparation and presentation involved.

Regional Specialities

From the wintery highlands of Hokkaido, to the tropical islands of the south, Japan’s diversity in climate and ecosystem across its 47 prefectures has caused a range of regional delicacies to develop over centuries. Whether it's the devil’s tongue jelly of the far north or the Goya Champuru of Okinawa, there are plenty of specialties to discover in a journey through Japan.

Drink

Washing down any meal in Japan becomes a treat when you have such a great variety of beverages to choose from across Japan’s many islands. Whether it’s the iconic Sake, served hot or cold, the more modern Shochu, or the sweet Umeshu liqueur, you’re bound to find a drink to suit your taste and cleanse the palate.

Useful Links

15 Awesome Things to Do in Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, the only place in the world that you can eat Michelin-starred food for under $10, sleep in a capsule, or watch live baseball at 4am in the morning.

Japan ‘The Luxe Guide’

Where breathtaking landscapes meet fascinating traditions and modern culture. Discover Vogue Australia’s round up of the best of luxury Japan.

Adventures in Japan

With rich emotive landscapes and vistas that have inspired explorers, artists, warriors, travellers and even Emperors for centuries, Japan is the perfect canvas on which to launch an adventure of endless discovery.

Five lesser known Japanese dishes

Japanese food is a lot more than just sushi, tempura, or ramen. Give these 5 lesser known but tasty dishes a try.

Taste of Japan: 6 Places Beyond Tokyo

Japan is renowned for its diverse and delicious cuisine. From street-food to Michelin star restaurants, discover the best ‘off the beaten track’ culinary hotspots.

Ben Ungermann in Japan

Follow MasterChef Australia 2017 runner up Ben Ungermann as he travels to the Seto Inland Sea region of Japan flying with Qantas.