Ordering with Confidence: Learn to read these famous Japanese food names before your trip

Japan’s world-renowned food scene is filled with famous Japanese food names that can seem intimidating if you don’t read Japanese. But learning a few key names can make ordering easy and allow you to enjoy authentic Japanese food with confidence! Below, we’ll introduce some typical Japanese food dishes, along with their pronunciations to help you order like a pro.

1. Sushi (寿司) – Su-shi

Sushi (su-shi) is perhaps the most famous Japanese food worldwide, known for vinegared rice paired with raw fish, vegetables, or seaweed. Here are some specific sushi terms you’ll encounter:

Nigiri (握り寿司) – ni-gi-ri: Small rice mounds topped with fish or seafood.
Sashimi (刺身) – sa-shi-mi: Slices of raw fish served without rice.
Maki (巻き寿司) – ma-ki: Rolled sushi with rice and fillings wrapped in seaweed.

2. Ramen (ラーメン) – Ra-men

Ramen (ra-men) is a famous Japanese noodle dish with various regional styles. You may see these ramen broth types on menus:

Shoyu (醤油) – sho-yu: Soy sauce-based broth, savory and slightly salty.
Miso (味噌) – mi-so: Fermented soybean paste broth, rich and flavorful.
Shio (塩) – shi-o: Light, salt-based broth.
Tonkotsu (豚骨) – ton-ko-tsu: Creamy pork bone broth, rich and hearty.

3. Tempura (天ぷら) – Ten-pu-ra

Tempura (ten-pu-ra) consists of light, battered, and deep-fried seafood and vegetables. You might find these popular tempura items on menus:

Ebi (海老) – e-bi: Shrimp, a classic choice.
Kabocha (かぼちゃ) – ka-bo-cha: Japanese pumpkin.
Nasu (茄子) – na-su: Eggplant, popular for its texture.

Tempura is often served with rice or dipping sauce, giving you an authentic Japanese food experience.

4. Soba (そば) and Udon (うどん) – So-ba and U-don

Japan is famous for its noodles, and soba (so-ba) and udon (u-don) are two typical Japanese food staples:

Soba: Thin, buckwheat noodles often served cold (zaru soba) or hot.
Udon: Thick, chewy wheat noodles, typically served in a hot broth with toppings.

These noodles are an easy way to try authentic Japanese food and enjoy something uniquely Japanese.

5. Yakitori (焼き鳥) – Ya-ki-to-ri

Yakitori (ya-ki-to-ri) refers to grilled chicken skewers seasoned with salt (shio) or tare (sweet soy sauce). Some popular yakitori types include:

Negima (ねぎま) – ne-gi-ma: Chicken with green onion.
Tsukune (つくね) – tsu-ku-ne: Chicken meatball with tare sauce.
Kawa (皮) – ka-wa: Chicken skin, crispy and savory.

Yakitori is a typical Japanese food enjoyed with drinks at izakayas (Japanese pubs).

6. Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) – O-ko-no-mi-ya-ki

Okonomiyaki (o-ko-no-mi-ya-ki) is a savory pancake from Osaka, made with batter, cabbage, and toppings like pork, shrimp, or cheese. “Okonomi” means “as you like it,” so you can customize this famous Japanese food with toppings to suit your tastes. It’s a fun and interactive dish that’s perfect for groups!

7. Tonkatsu (豚カツ) – Ton-ka-tsu

Tonkatsu (ton-ka-tsu) is a breaded and fried pork cutlet served with cabbage and a sweet-savory sauce. It’s often part of a teishoku (set meal) with rice and miso soup, making it a filling and authentic Japanese food option. Try katsu kare (カツカレー) – tonkatsu served with curry and rice – for a twist on this typical Japanese food.

8. Japanese Curry (カレー) – Ka-re

Japanese curry (ka-re) is unique compared to Indian or Thai curries, with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s often served with pork, chicken, or vegetables over rice. If you love fried food, try katsu kare (カツカレー), which combines curry rice with a crispy tonkatsu cutlet.

9. Takoyaki (たこ焼き) – Ta-ko-ya-ki

Takoyaki (ta-ko-ya-ki) are famous Japanese food items from Osaka, made of batter filled with octopus (tako), pickled ginger, and green onions, then cooked into round balls. Topped with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes, this typical Japanese food is a must-try street snack.

10. Miso Soup (味噌汁) – Mi-so Shi-ru

No list of Japanese food names would be complete without miso soup (mi-so shi-ru), a staple in Japanese cuisine. This savory soup made from fermented soybean paste is served with every meal and often includes ingredients like tofu, seaweed, and green onions. It’s a comforting, authentic Japanese food that’s simple yet deeply flavorful.

11. Gyoza (餃子) – Gyo-za

Gyoza (gyo-za) are Japanese dumplings typically filled with pork, garlic, and vegetables, and either pan-fried or steamed. This famous Japanese dish originated from Chinese dumplings but has become a beloved part of Japanese cuisine, often served as a side dish with ramen.

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12. Matcha (抹茶) – Ma-cha

Matcha (ma-cha), a powdered green tea, is not just a drink but also a flavor in many Japanese sweets and snacks. From matcha ice cream to matcha mochi, you’ll find this authentic Japanese flavor everywhere. For tea lovers, trying matcha in Japan is a unique experience that offers a taste of Japanese tradition.

Learning to recognize these famous Japanese food names and how to pronounce them will make ordering in Japan much easier. From sushi and ramen to yakitori and matcha, familiarizing yourself with these terms will let you fully appreciate authentic Japanese food and enjoy your culinary adventure in Japan.

Now that you can read the various foods in Japan with the correct pronunciation, you can travel around Japan with relative ease. However, in Japan, not only restaurants but also many places have more signs and menus in Japanese than in English, so your trip will be more enjoyable if you study how to read hiragana and katakana. Here at Dear Asia London, we systematically teach Japanese reading, writing, speaking and listening, starting with how to read hiragana and katakana. In addition, various activities within the class and many events outside of the class are here for you! 😊