Top Dishes Loved by the Japanese: A Ranking of Japanese Cuisine Favorites

The Japanese love their cuisine. This can be seen in the number of people who eat out and the number of food-related TV programmes. While sushi has become popular in the West, most Japanese food remains relatively unknown worldwide. Japanese restaurants around the world have often catered to Japanese tourists and charged high prices. But in Japan there is a huge variety of food available at prices ranging from very reasonable to extremely expensive. Below is the ranking of the Japanese people’s favourite dishes.

  Curry (カレー）27.1%

The Japanese love a dish called curry rice. It’s rice with a spicy curry sauce. You can also add toppings such as tonkatsu (breaded and fried pork cutlet).

Curry is not native to Japan – it’s an imported spice. But the Japanese have been using curry in their cooking for over 100 years. They’ve made it their own by developing unique curry recipes and flavours.　Curry rice is a comforting, satisfying meal that many Japanese people enjoy. The combination of tender rice, rich curry sauce and optional savoury toppings makes it a popular part of Japanese cuisine.

Sushi (寿司）19%

Sushi is made with vinegared rice, but also includes cooked seafood, vegetables and egg. Another popular form of sushi is norimaki, also known as sushi rolls. In norimaki, you need to roll the fillings are in rice and wrapped in nori (dried seaweed).

Sushi and its various forms, such as classic nigiri sushi and rolled norimaki, are a popular part of traditional Japanese cuisine. The fresh ingredients and artistic presentation make sushi a true Japanese culinary delight.

Ramen (ラーメン）15.1%

Ramen is a Japanese dish with thin, egg-based noodles. You can almost always enjoy it in a hot broth with soy sauce (shoyu) or miso. They add a variety of ingredients to the noodles and broth. Common toppings include slices of roast pork (chashu), bean sprouts (moyashi), sweet corn and butter. The combination of savoury broth, chewy noodles and tasty toppings makes ramen a popular comfort food in Japan. It’s a satisfying and delicious Japanese speciality.

Omelet Rice（オムライス） 11.5%

Omuraisu is a popular dish in Japan. It’s rice in a thin omelette. You can usually eat Omuraisu with a gravy sauce or tomato ketchup. The combination of the fluffy omelette and the savoury rice makes omuraisu a comforting and delicious meal. It’s a unique Japanese take on the classic omelette. Many Japanese people enjoy the delicious blend of textures and flavours in omuraisu. It’s a popular dish that showcases the creativity of Japanese cuisine.

Onigiri (おにぎり）8.8%

Onigiri is a popular Japanese snack. They are from cooked rice that people shape into slightly slanted balls. The rice balls are often wrapped in nori (seaweed). Onigiri also often have some kind of filling in the centre, such as pickled plum or salmon. The combination of warm, fluffy rice, savoury nori and a surprise filling makes onigiri a tasty and portable Japanese treat. Many Japanese enjoy onigiri as a quick snack or light meal.

Hamburg steak（ハンバーグ）6.1%

Hambagu is a Japanese dish similar to Salisbury steak. You can make by mixing minced meat with finely chopped onion, egg and breadcrumbs. Sometimes, you can also find various spices in it to add flavour. The result is a savoury, textured patty that is seared and then often served with a demi-glace or brown gravy sauce. Some versions may also include cheese or other toppings.

Gyoza（餃子）3.5%

Gyoza are a type of Japanese dumpling. The filling is made by mixing minced vegetables and minced meat. The filled dumplings are then usually fried to create a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. Gyoza are a popular starter or side dish in Japan. The savoury filling wrapped in a slightly crispy skin makes gyoza a tasty and satisfying snack or meal accompaniment.

Sashimi（刺身）2.7%

Sashimi is a Japanese dish from thin slices of raw fish or other seafood. Sashimi is served with spicy Japanese horseradish called wasabi and soy sauce (shoyu).

The star of sashimi is the fresh, high-quality seafood. The simple presentation allows the natural flavours of the fish to shine through. The combination of tender raw fish, the kick of wasabi and the flavour of soy sauce makes sashimi a popular part of traditional Japanese cuisine.

Miso（味噌汁）2.3%

A bowl of miso soup is a common accompaniment to meals in Japan, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. To make miso soup, people dissolve miso paste in hot water. They then add other ingredients such as wakame seaweed and small pieces of tofu. The savoury, umami-rich broth of miso soup complements a wide range of Japanese dishes. It provides a comforting and nutritious accompaniment to the main meal.

Udon（うどん）2.1%

Udon noodles are from wheat flour. The thick, chewy noodles are cooked and then served in a broth, usually hot. In summer, some people enjoy cold udon instead of the hot version. Common toppings for udon include raw egg (for tsukimi udon) and deep-fried tofu (for kitsune udon).

Udon’s versatility means you can enjoy it all year round. The heartiness of the wheat noodles and the savoury broth make udon a satisfying comfort food in Japan.

Natto（納豆）1.3%

Natto is a dish from fermented soybeans. It contains active bacteria that give natto its distinct aroma and texture. In Japan, natto is commonly for breakfast. The fermented soybeans have a sticky, stringy consistency that some describe as an acquired taste.

Despite its unique qualities, natto is a beloved traditional food in Japan. Many Japanese people enjoy the bold flavors and health benefits of this fermented dish.

Yakisoba（焼きそば）0.5%

Yakisoba is a type of fried or deep-fried noodle dish in Japanese cuisine. Inspired by Chinese-style noodles, yakisoba are a popular street food and casual dining option in Japan. To make yakisoba, you need to stir-fry noodles with vegetables, meat and ginger. The result is a savoury, tasty noodle dish.

If you love Japanese cuisines, find out more here.