Top 15 Must-Eat Street Foods: Savouring the Flavours of Japan

Booms Ho
Aug 9, 2023
6 min read

Updated: Aug 24, 2023

Konnichiwa (Hello), fellow foodies! Embark on a gastronomic journey through the bustling streets of Japan, where an array of delectable street foods awaits.

a shopping street with an old village charm filled with flocks of tourists in japan.

Japan's vibrant culinary scene offers an exquisite blend of flavours that will excite your taste buds.

Join us as we explore the "Top 15 Must-Eat Street Foods" that showcase the nation's rich and diverse food culture.

Disclaimer: The images of the recommended food in this blog post were generated by an AI image creator. As a result, the depicted images may not be the exact representation of the actual dishes. Still, the AI image creator endeavours to provide visuals as close to the real food as possible. The purpose of these images is to offer a visual reference for the culinary delights mentioned in the article.

1. Takoyaki (octopus balls)

a hand holding up a take away box with takoyaki at a shopping street in japan.

Takoyaki, a popular Japanese street food, features savoury batter balls filled with diced octopus, pickled ginger, and green onions.

Cooked in special moulds and topped with takoyaki sauce and bonito flakes, these delightful octopus balls offer a burst of umami flavour with each bite.

Category: Snack
Where to Find: Street food stalls and festivals
Average Price Range: ¥300 - ¥500 (USD 2.70 - USD 4.50) per serving

Pro Tip: Be cautious—these little balls are served piping hot!

2. Okonomiyaki (savoury cabbage pancake)

a plate of okonomiyaki, a blend of shredded cabbage, batter, topped with pork belly, shrimp and cheese, panfried to a crisp, a delightful snack in japan.

Okonomiyaki, often referred to as a "Japanese pancake" or "Japanese pizza," is a mouthwatering treat that blends shredded cabbage, batter, and various toppings such as pork belly, shrimp, or cheese.

Drizzled with okonomiyaki sauce, mayo, and seaweed flakes, it's a delightful fusion of textures and flavours.

Category: Snack/Meal
Where to Find: Okonomiyaki speciality restaurants and street food stalls
Average Price Range: ¥700 - ¥1,200 (USD 6.30 - USD 10.80) per serving

Pro Tip: Try different regional variations for unique taste experiences.

3. Taiyaki (fish-shaped sweet pastry)

a hand holding up a taiyaki at a food street in japan.

Taiyaki is a charming fish-shaped pastry filled with delicious sweet fillings such as red bean paste, custard, chocolate, or sweet potato.

The crispy exterior and warm, gooey filling make it a favourite Japanese street snack, perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.

Category: Dessert/Snack
Where to Find: Street food vendors and festivals
Average Price Range: ¥150 - ¥300 (USD 1.35 - USD 2.70) per piece

Pro Tip: Enjoy Taiyaki while it's fresh and warm for the best taste and texture.

Related blog post: Respecting Cultures: A Traveller's Guide to Do's and Don'ts in Japan

4. Yakitori (grilled chicken skewer)

a street food vendor grilling yakitori skewers in their street food stall in japan.

Yakitori, a quintessential Japanese street food, features skewered and grilled bite-sized pieces of chicken, seasoned with tare sauce for a delicious umami flavour.

Whether it's succulent chicken thighs or crispy chicken skin, Yakitori is a savoury delight enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

Category: Snack/Meal
Where to Find: Yakitori stalls and izakayas (Japanese pubs)
Average Price Range: ¥100 - ¥200 (USD 0.90 - USD 1.80) per skewer

Pro Tip: Pair Yakitori with a refreshing glass of cold beer or sake for the ultimate experience.

5. Tempura (lightly battered and fried seafood/vegetables)

a bowl of tempura, seafood and vegetables coated in a light batter and deep-fried to crisp, a must eat in japan.

Tempura is a delightful Japanese dish where seafood or vegetables are coated in a light batter and deep-fried to crispy perfection.

The result is a mouthwatering combination of textures and flavours, enjoyed with a dipping sauce or a sprinkle of salt.

Category: Snack/Meal
Where to Find: Tempura speciality restaurants and street food stalls
Average Price Range: ¥300 - ¥800 (USD 2.70 - USD 7.20) per serving

Pro Tip: Seek out restaurants known for using fresh, seasonal ingredients for the best Tempura.

6. Ramen (noodle soup)

a chef holding up a bowl of ramen, a filling meal in japan.

Ramen, a beloved Japanese staple, is a flavourful noodle soup featuring a rich broth (tonkatsu, shoyu, miso, or shio) served with wheat noodles and various toppings like chashu pork, soft-boiled eggs, and nori seaweed.

Each region in Japan offers its own unique style of Ramen.

Category: Meal
Where to Find: Ramen shops and street food vendors
Average Price Range: ¥700 - ¥1,500 (USD 6.30 - USD 13.50) per bowl

Pro Tip: Slurp your Ramen—it's considered a compliment to the chef!

Related blog post: Essential Travel Phrases: A Simple Guide to Exploring Japan

7. Gyoza (pan-fried dumplings)

a plate of gyoza, japanese dumplings pan-fried to a crispy bottom, a lovely street snack in japan.

Gyoza, delectable Japanese dumplings, are filled with a mix of ground meat (usually pork) and vegetables.

Pan-fried to perfection, they boast a crispy bottom and a juicy, flavourful filling.

Gyoza is often served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chilli oil.

Category: Snack
Where to Find: Gyoza speciality restaurants and street food stalls
Average Price Range: ¥300 - ¥600 (USD 2.70 - USD 5.40) per serving

Pro Tip: Order extra Gyoza—they tend to disappear quickly!

8. Melon pan (melon-shaped sweet bread)

a bun made in the shape and texture of a melon, with a crispy cookie-like crust with soft interior, a delightful snack in japan.

Melon pan, or melon-shaped sweet bread, is a delightful Japanese pastry with a crispy cookie-like crust and a soft, sweet interior.

Despite its name, Melon pan doesn't typically taste like melon but comes in various flavours such as chocolate, matcha, or custard.

Category: Snack/Dessert
Where to Find: Bakeries and street food vendors
Average Price Range: ¥150 - ¥300 (USD 1.35 - USD 2.70) per piece

Pro Tip: Pair a Melon pan with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful snack time.

Related blog post: Top 10 Must-Try Desserts A Sweet Tooth's Journey to Japan

9. Tai Meshi (seabream with rice)

a plate of tai meshi, grilled seabream served on a bed of seasoned rice, a must try dish in japan.

Tai Meshi is a luxurious Japanese dish featuring grilled seabream served over a bed of seasoned rice.

The fish is cooked to perfection, and its delicate flavours blend harmoniously with the fragrant rice.

This simple yet elegant street food is a testament to the culinary artistry of Japan.

Category: Meal
Where to Find: Specialty seafood restaurants and street food vendors
Average Price Range: ¥800 - ¥1,500 (USD 7.20 - USD 13.50) per serving

Pro Tip: Pair Tai Meshi with a refreshing side salad for a balanced meal.

Related blog post: 10 Must-Visit Travel Destinations in 2023: A Journey of Adventure and Wonder

10. Menchi Katsu (breaded and deep-fried ground meat)

a hand holding up a menchi katsu, a meat cutlet breaded and deep-fried until golden and crispy, with the shopping street in the background in japan.

Menchi Katsu, a delicious Japanese meat cutlet, is made from ground meat (usually a mix of beef and pork) seasoned with onions and spices.

The meat patty is breaded and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

The result is a succulent and flavorful treat that will leave you wanting more.

Category: Snack/Meal
Where to Find: Street food stalls and speciality restaurants
Average Price Range: ¥300 - ¥600 (USD 2.70 - USD 5.40) per serving

Pro Tip: Enjoy Menchi Katsu with a dollop of mustard or tonkatsu sauce for an extra kick.

11. Tai Chazuke (seabream rice with tea)

a bowl of tai chazuke, tender steamed seabream served on steamed rice, with green tea poured over it, a unique experience in japan.

Tai Chazuke, is a unique dish that combines tender steamed seabream served over rice, with a fragrant green tea broth poured over it.

The comforting flavours of this dish make it a perfect way to end a delightful street food feast.

Category: Meal/Dessert
Where to Find: Specialty tea houses and traditional restaurants
Average Price Range: ¥500 - ¥1,000 (USD 4.50 - USD 9) per serving

Pro Tip: Pair Tai Chazuke with a cup of hot green tea for an authentic experience.

12. Dorayaki (sweet red bean pancake)

a hand holding up a dorayaki, a fluffy japanese pancake stuffed with sweet red bean paste at a food street in japan, a lovely street snack.

Dorayaki, a beloved Japanese confection, consists of two fluffy pancakes sandwiched with a filling of sweet red bean paste.

This delightful treat is not only popular among children but also cherished by people of all ages.

Category: Snack/Dessert
Where to Find: Bakeries and street food vendors
Average Price Range: ¥150 - ¥300 (USD 1.35 - USD 2.70) per piece

Pro Tip: Try different fillings like custard or matcha for a unique twist on Dorayaki.

Related blog post: 6 Must-Visit Destinations: Exhilarating Experiences for Digital Nomads

13. Ikayaki (grilled squid on a stick)

a skewer of ikayaki, brushed with a soy-based sauce, a must eat for seafood lover in japan.

Ikayaki is a scrumptious Japanese street food featuring a whole squid grilled to perfection and served on a stick.

The tender and smoky squid is brushed with a savoury soy-based sauce, offering a delightful blend of tastes.

Category: Snack
Where to Find: Street food vendors and festivals
Average Price Range: ¥300 - ¥600 (USD 2.70 - USD 5.40) per serving

Pro Tip: Enjoy Ikayaki while strolling through the vibrant streets of Japan.

14. Kibi Dango (millet flour dumplings)

a plate of kibi dango, chewy mochi-like dumplings coated in sweet soybean flour, a lovely snack in japan.

Kibi Dango, traditional Japanese dumplings made from millet flour, are a simple yet delightful treat.

These chewy dumplings are typically coated in sweet soybean flour, offering a unique texture and flavour that will leave a lasting impression.

Category: Snack/Dessert
Where to Find: Street food vendors and traditional markets
Average Price Range: ¥100 - ¥300 (USD 0.90 - USD 2.70) per portion

Pro Tip: Kibi Dango is often associated with festive events and celebrations.

15. Kakigori (shaved ice dessert)

a hand holing up a paper box with kakigori, a shaved ice dessert with a shopping street in the background, a cooling after-meal dessert in japan.

Kakigori is a refreshing Japanese dessert that will keep you cool during hot summers.

The fluffy shaved ice is drizzled with a variety of flavoured syrups, such as strawberry, green tea, or melon.

Toppings like sweetened condensed milk or red bean paste complete this icy delight.

Category: Dessert
Where to Find: Kakigori stands and summer festivals
Average Price Range: ¥300 - ¥600 (USD 2.70 - USD 5.40) per serving

Pro Tip: Try different flavour combinations to discover your favourite Kakigori.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—the "Top 15 Must-Eat Street Foods in Japan."

Each dish embodies the rich culinary heritage of Japan, offering a delightful adventure for your taste buds.

So, next time you find yourself in Japan, be sure to savour these delectable street treats and immerse yourself in the country's gastronomic wonders.

Note: The average price range provided is an estimate and may vary depending on the establishment and location.