Izakaya: The Casual Japanese Dining Experience
In Japan, casual drinking establishments that serve food are called izakaya. Customers can choose to sit on tatami mats and dine from low tables in the traditional Japanese style, or sit on chairs and dine from tables. Many izakaya also offer seating at the bar.
Traditional Coffee Shops: Kissaten
Japanese-style tearooms that also serve as coffee shops are called kissaten. They developed in the early 20th century and offer a distinct experience from modern cafés.
Japanese Fast Food: The Gyudon Experience
The most popular inexpensive but tasty fast food consumed by Japanese people is gyudon, an everyday donburi meal that includes beef and onion over a rice bowl. The dish gains its sweet, salty flavor from being simmered in a blend of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake, garnished with green onions and seasoned with shichimi togarashi for a spicy taste.
Osaka: A Foodie’s Paradise
Osaka has been proclaimed the best food city in Japan. Eating your way through Osaka could be an unforgettable experience for any visitor.
Dining Culture in Japan
Japanese restaurants often specialize in a single type of food. For example, a ramen shop will typically offer ramen along with a few side dishes like gyoza and rice. Izakaya, on the other hand, serves small plates that are shared among guests.
Tokyo: The Ultimate Destination for Food Lovers
Tokyo is a must-visit for any food enthusiast, with its vast array of fine restaurants. The Tsukiji Uogashi area, known for its sheer variety of food offerings, boasts more than 400 shops where you can find not only fresh fish but also cooking utensils and dry goods.
Essential Phrases for Japanese Restaurants
When entering a Japanese restaurant, you are likely to be greeted with a chorus of "Irasshaimase!" It’s standard practice to welcome guests, and there’s no obligation to respond. Useful Japanese phrases can help you secure a table and communicate your dining preferences.
Cultural Practices: Respect and Etiquette
In Japan, it is considered rude to leave food on your plate, whether at home or in a restaurant. Leaving just a little behind indicates to the host that you have had enough to eat. Bowing is a common way to greet, apologize, or thank someone, with variations ranging from a slight nod to a 90-degree bow.
Clearing Up Misconceptions About Japanese Cuisine
A common misconception is that hibachi refers to the style of cooking in front of guests, but it is actually called teppanyaki. Questions like differences between hibachi and teppanyaki, the healthiness of teriyaki chicken, or the appropriateness of finishing your plate are common among those unfamiliar with Japanese dining conventions.