5 Quick Tips About Japanese Food

Japan is known for its modern conveniences, technological advances, and business acumen. Many people know that Japan is also famous for its delicious food. However, depending on where you are in Tokyo, the cost of your meal may be anywhere from dirt-cheap to breaking the bank. As a tourist in Japan or just someone who wants to enjoy Japanese food, what should you expect?

The best way to go about it? Eat like a local!

Tip 1: Go To The Right Places

Your first step in enjoying Japanese food is knowing where to eat. Although there are plenty of street vendors selling everything from octopus balls to yakitori (skewered meats), you’d do well to avoid them if possible (and certainly avoid them if you’re on a budget). Instead, head for the small restaurants with no English signage that are frequented mainly by Japanese people. These places usually offer great food at an affordable price. Of course, don’t assume that just because many Japanese people eat their meals there means it’s good; do your research first and make sure to check out reviews of the place before you go!

Tip 2: Know The Culture

Japan is known as one of the most polite countries in the world (the concept of “saving face” is still alive and well here), but this respectfulness goes both ways — it’s important that visitors show respect to the locals as well. For example, if you’re eating everything with your hands or dumping soy sauce all over your edamame, you probably won’t go home with a good impression of Japanese food. In Japan, eating is as much about the ceremony as it is about the flavor or nourishment that you’re looking for.

This means that if you want to simply dig in and eat as much as you can, you can; but remember to practice proper table manners (don’t slurp your soup, don’t put your elbows on the table, don’t take food from people’s plates) and always say “itadakimasu!” before digging in.

Tip 3: Keep It Cheap

If you’re looking for a quick meal for breakfast or lunch, try one of the many convenience stores throughout Tokyo. Many of them offer fresh sandwiches and chirashi bowls (rice bowls topped with sushi), though prices vary depending on which store you go to — Lawson’s is known for having great deals! The only downside? You probably won’t have access to a microwave if you want to heat up your meal. However, this may be a plus for people who don’t like their food to taste like plastic!

Tip 4: Think Before You Eat

Keep an eye out for places that offer free samples at the beginning of shopping malls or along the sidewalks (especially near famous landmarks). These are often tourist spots, and many establishments will give you small tastes of their delicacies to get you hooked. Although this may sound like a great deal, it can be misleading; these bites are usually pretty tiny and hardly enough to make up your mind about whether you’ll like the food or not (which is why they taste so good!). Be sure to read reviews before eating here, because some of them offer extremely low-quality food for high prices!

Tip 5: Don’t Forget Food Tours

If you don’t speak Japanese (or even if you do!), trying to navigate the Japanese food scene can be intimidating. After all, what do you know about kombucha or matcha? Not very much! Don’t worry — help is on the way! Food tours are becoming more popular in Japan, and each company is different in terms of what they offer. Some tours will just take you to a few restaurants that offer typical Japanese cuisine while others will expose you to more unusual foods that only the locals would try (such as Natto).