Most Popular Japanese Dishes You Should Try Out Today
Japan is renowned for its vibrant culture, breath-taking scenery, and delectable cuisine. Japanese cuisine has gained popularity around the globe for good reason —it's delicious, nutritious, and diverse. If you’re new to Japanese cuisine or are simply looking for something different to try, keep on reading! Here are 5 of the most popular Japanese dishes you should try out.
1. Sushi
Sushi is undoubtedly one of the most popular Japanese dishes worldwide, and it's easy to see why. It is a tasty and nutritious dish that is simple yet elegant. Bite-sized pieces of vinegared rice topped with fresh, raw seafood, veggies, or eggs, and wrapped with seaweed – talk about a scrumptious treat!
One of the best things about sushi is its versatility. Sushi rolls can be topped with a wide selection of seafood, veggies, sauces and more. No matter what your preferences are, there is a sushi roll for everyone – even the pickiest of eaters!
2. Ramen
This Japanese noodle soup dish has been growing steadily in popularity over the years. It often includes wheat noodles in a broth, and is garnished with sliced pork, seaweed, green onions and other ingredients. Perfect for chilly days, this comforting dish feels like a warm hug.
Ramen comes in a variety of flavours, each with its own broth and toppings. Shoyu ramen, which has a broth made with soy sauce, and miso ramen, which has a broth made with miso, are two common variants. Like sushi, ramen is also adaptable -- you may select the sort of meat or veggies you want, as well as the degree of spiciness!
3. Yakitori
If you’re a fan of street food or barbecue, then you’ll love yakitori. Essentially, yakitori is skewered meats topped with a sweet and savoury marinade that has been grilled over charcoal. Yakitori can be consumed on its own or as a side dish, typically with beer or sake.
The dish's standout ingredient is the meat, and the marinade ties it all together in perfect flavour harmony. The best part is that yakitori is also relatively affordable, making it great for those looking for a quick bite on a budget.
4. Tempura
Tempura is a popular Japanese dish that features seafood, vegetables, or meat coated in a light batter and deep-fried until crispy. Tempura is typically served as an appetiser or side dish and is often accompanied by a dipping sauce.
A variety of ingredients may be used to make tempura, with sweet potatoes, prawns, squid and mushrooms being some of the most common ones.
5. Donburi
As the saying goes, we’ve saved the best for last.
Donburi is a classic Japanese dish. Essentially, it is a bowl of steamed rice topped with meat and other ingredients. This simple yet hearty meal is perfect for lunch or dinner.
There are several donburi varieties, each with its own distinctive toppings. A couple of well-liked variants include oyakodon, which has chicken and egg, and katsu don, which includes a breaded and fried pork cutlet.
Conclusion
If you're new to Japanese cuisine, we recommend starting with the dishes listed above. These dishes are popular for a reason and are an excellent introduction to the flavours and textures of Japanese food.
Enjoy Japanese staples with a modern twist at OMI Wagyu
This award-winning Melbourne Central Japanese restaurant serves up excellent wagyu dons and continuously aims to modernise classic Japanese dishes.
OMI’s menu expertly combines traditional elements of Japanese rice bowls with top-notch ingredients like premium-grade Wagyu that are obtained from the best regional suppliers in Australia.
Pay us a visit now and treat yourself to a superb donburi at a reasonable price!