What Types of Restaurants Are in Japan?

Types of Japanese Restaurants

  • Sushi Restaurants: Many restaurants in Japan specialize in just one type of food. Sushi restaurants offer sushi. Customers can sit at a counter behind which the sushi chef works.
  • Traditional Restaurants in Japan: There are various types of restaurants in Japan, including Kaiseki, Izakaya, Curry Rice shops, Yakitori, Tempura, and Ramen. Ramen is a national delicacy while Yakitori restaurants serve grilled chicken skewers with popular drinks such as soda, sake, beer, or wine.
  • Family Restaurants in Japan: Family restaurants in Japan are open 24 hours a day, providing free drinks, Japanese and Western food choices, and affordable lunch sets.

Most Common Type of Restaurant in Japan

In a survey in December 2021, 44.1 percent of restaurant-goers dined at sushi restaurants, making sushi restaurants the most common type in Japan.

Japanese Dining Etiquette

  • Japanese Style of Dining: In traditional Japanese dining, the cuisine is based on rice with miso soup and seasonal ingredients. Seafood and vegetables are common, prepared in various styles like grilling or tempura.
  • Japanese Dining Customs: Japanese dining emphasizes specific etiquette, such as not allowing different flavored dishes to touch on a single plate. Slurping is considered a sign of enjoyment, especially when having soups or noodles. At the end of the meal, it is customary to say ‘Gochisousama deshita’ with a Namaste, meaning ‘Thank you for the food’.

Traditional Japanese Cooking

  • Kaiseki Ryori: Kaiseki Ryori is Japanese fine dining that focuses on aesthetic appeal and attention to detail. Dishes are presented individually in a specific order.
  • Japanese Cuisine: Japanese cuisine is characterized by cooking methods influenced by Asian countries like China and Korea, as well as Western influences. Discover the staple ingredients and cooking styles that define Japanese cooking.

Finding the right restaurant in Japan can greatly enrich your culinary experience. From traditional to fusion dishes, Japan offers a vast array of flavors waiting to be explored.

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