Japanese Food Guide

Food & Drinks

Your guide to Japanese food and drinks — ramen, wagyu, sake, whisky, and more.

A Japanese bento with karaage fried chicken, tamagoyaki, rice with furikake, cherry tomatoes, and vegetables on a checkered cloth.

Fried Food Series // 02

Japanese Fried Food Beyond Tempura — Karaage, Tonkatsu, and More

Karaage, tonkatsu, korokke, aji fry — Japan's fried food goes beyond tempura. Kaa-chan's guide to the comfort food every Japanese person loves.

Three kakiage fritters with onion, carrot, shiso, and shrimp on a brown ceramic plate.

Fried Food Series // 01

Tempura — Japan's Art of Frying That Isn't Really Frying

Light, crispy, never greasy — Japanese tempura is unlike any fried food you've tried. Kaa-chan explains the science and where to eat it.

Cold soba on a bamboo zaru, shrimp and vegetable tempura, dipping sauces, grated daikon, and green tea on a dark tray.

Soba & Udon Series // 03

Soba in Japan — The Noodle Kaa-chan Has Loved for 40 Years

From standing noodle bars to proper soba restaurants — Kaa-chan shares 40 years of soba love and everything you need to enjoy it in Japan.

A bowl of udon topped with beef, a raw egg yolk, and green onion, served with kakiage tempura and inari on a black tray.

Soba & Udon Series // 02

Udon in Japan — One Noodle, Endless Variety

Udon changes completely by region in Japan. Kaa-chan's guide to regional styles, self-service chains, and the bowls worth seeking out.

Gray buckwheat soba and white udon noodles served side by side in a single speckled ceramic bowl, on a dark wooden table.

Soba & Udon Series // 01

Soba vs Udon — What's the Difference and How to Choose in Japan

Soba or udon — what's the difference? Kaa-chan's honest guide to picking the right bowl for your mood, budget, and where you are in Japan.

Four triangles of tamago sando with chunky egg salad filling on soft white shokupan, served on a white plate with parsley.

Tamago Sando — Why Japan's Egg Sandwich Tastes So Good

Discover the secret to Japan's soft, creamy tamago sando (egg sandwich). Kaa-chan explores its unique texture and other must-try egg dishes!

A tsukemen set — dipping broth with chashu and menma in front, thick wavy noodles with seasoned egg and nori behind.

Ramen Series // 02

Japanese Ramen by Region: Hakata vs Sapporo vs Tokyo Explained

Hakata, Sapporo, Tokyo — ramen changes completely depending on where you are in Japan. Kaa-chan's guide to regional styles, broths, and the bowls worth tra

Four ramen bowls — shoyu with chashu, miso with corn and butter, shio with clear broth, and tonkotsu with creamy broth.

Ramen Series // 01

Ramen in Japan — Find the Bowl You're Craving

Shoyu, shio, miso, tonkotsu — all called ramen, but completely different. A Japanese mom's guide to help you choose the right bowl for your mood.

A large platter of assorted premium raw Japanese Wagyu beef for yakiniku, complete with shichirin charcoal grill

Japanese Wagyu Series // 02

Yakiniku Guide: Beef Cuts, Tare Sauce & What to Order in Japan

Karubi or Harami? Tare or salt? A Japanese mom breaks down the menu — plus a stupid-easy stir-fry recipe using Japan's greatest secret sauce.

Seared Japanese Wagyu steak, medium-rare, served with grilled vegetables and condiments on a black plate.

Japanese Wagyu Series // 01

The Real Wagyu Experience — Why It's World-Famous and How to Enjoy It

Wagyu is trending worldwide — but what exactly is it? A Japanese mom explains the grades, brands, and best ways to enjoy real wagyu in Japan.

A glass of amber Japanese whisky with a large spherical ice ball, on a bar counter with warm bokeh lighting.

Japanese Alcohol Series // 04

Japanese Whisky and Wine — Two Reasons to Be Impressed

Japanese whisky is already a world legend. Japanese wine is quietly becoming one. Here's what to know — from a mom who doesn't drink much of either, but is

Golden sake poured into a glass inside a wooden masu in mokkiri style, overflowing, with grain stalks in the background.

Japanese Alcohol Series // 03

Types of Japanese Sake — A Beginner's Guide to Drinking Sake in Japan

From dry to sweet, cold to warm — sake has more styles than you'd expect. A beginner-friendly guide from a Japanese mom who's only just getting started her

Two glasses of golden Japanese beer with thick white foam, beaded with condensation, against a warm brick wall.

Japanese Alcohol Series // 02

Japanese Beer Guide — Why Beer Lovers Need to Try It in Japan

Japan takes beer seriously — from perfectly poured draft to craft ales brewed down the street. Here's what to know before your first sip.

Three izakaya drinks on a wooden counter — draft beer with thick foam, umeshu on the rocks, and a lemon sour with ice.

Japanese Alcohol Series // 01

Japanese Drinks Guide — Beer, Lemon Sour, Umeshu and More

Beer, lemon sour, umeshu, highball, shochu — here's what to order at a Japanese izakaya, explained by a mom who loves them all.