Beyond sushi: 10 unique Japanese dishes you need to try

Japan’s food culture is endlessly diverse.

Photo by Falco Negenman on Unsplash

Japan is a culinary wonderland, with flavours that range from the delicate to the downright bold. While sushi and ramen might be on every traveller’s must-eat list, there’s so much more to explore. If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, here are 10 unique Japanese dishes that will make your food adventure unforgettable.

1. Okonomiyaki

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Often described as a “Japanese pancake” or “Japanese pizza,” okonomiyaki is a savoury delight made with a batter of flour, eggs, and shredded cabbage. Toppings range from pork belly to seafood, and it’s all cooked on a griddle and finished with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, dried seaweed, and bonito flakes. The best places to try it? Osaka and Hiroshima, where regional variations have spurred an ongoing debate on which is better.

2. Basashi

Not for the faint of heart, basashi is raw horse meat, often served chilled and dipped in soy sauce with garlic or ginger. It is a regional speciality of Kumamoto and is surprisin…