8 Japanese Street Food You Need To Try
8 Japanese Street Food You Need To Try
Street food culture is less prevalent in Japan compared to other Asian countries like Thailand or Taiwan. While regular night markets are relatively uncommon, Japanese food vendors take to the streets in packs during the hundreds of festivals which take place across the country each year, with some vendors moving from city to city every night.
Here are japanese street food you need to look out for.
1. Takoyaki
Takoyaki are golden balls of fried batter filled with little pieces of octopus, tenkasu (tempura scraps), benishoga (pickled ginger) and spring onion. Originally from Osaka, the dough balls are fried in special cast-iron pans, and you can watch on as takoyaki vendors skillfully flip the balls at a rapid pace using chopsticks.
The cooked takoyaki are eaten piping hot, slightly crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside, and slathered in Japanese mayonnaise, a savory brown sauce similar to Worcestershire, aonori (dried seaweed) and katsuobushi (dried bonito fish flakes).
Although originating in Osaka, takoyaki are now widely enjoyed in Tokyo and across the rest of Japan.
2. Tako Tamago
They’ve since become a popular street food snack which you can enjoy at many markets throughout the Kansai region. If you’re visiting Osaka, then you can find them at Kuromon Ichiba Market, one of the best places in Osaka to have street food.
3. Yakitori
A truly classic Japanese treat, yakitori are chicken skewers that are grilled over charcoal and can be found all over Japan. Yakitori is made from all parts of the chicken, such as the thigh meat, tail meat, and even the skin, each with their own unique flavor. The most common seasonings are tare (soy grilling sauce) and shio (salt), but wasabi, umeboshi (sour pickled plum paste), and karashi (Japanese mustard) can also be found at yakitori stands.
There are also variations such as negima yakitori - pieces of juicy chicken thigh and green onion, and tsukune (chicken mince) mixed with other flavorings. Although chicken is the most common variety of skewered meat, pork and beef may also be available.
Yaki imo refers to a traditional Japanese street food dish made with roasted sweet potatoes. A type of Japanese sweet potato called satsuma-imo is roasted or baked over charcoal and served in paper packets to be enjoyed as a snack.
Washed potatoes are thrown over coals without being seasoned or buttered to allow the natural flavors of the potato to shine through.
Yaki imo is a popular street food snack in autumn and winter. You can typically find them being sold from these street food carts and trucks by the side of the road, usually around train stations.
5. Ikayaki
Though whole-grilled squid on a stick may not sound like the most glamorous or appealing snack to some, Japanese street food chefs have mastered bringing out the best in a simple concept.
Fresh, tender squid is grilled over charcoal, given a generous coating of shoyu (soy sauce) and served with a slice of lemon or lime. The chewy texture unique to squid meat is a must-try for those who haven’t. Ikayaki is a meaty and flavorful meal-on-the-go that is ready to order almost instantly.
6. Taiyaki
Taiyaki are pancake-like snacks filled with sweet azuki bean paste. They’re made in a fish-shaped mold resembling tai (red seabream), hence the name taiyaki.
Taiyaki is commonly filled with sweetened azuki beans though they can be made with other fillings as well like custard, chocolate, cheese, and sweet potato. It’s basically a fish-shaped version of imagawayaki, but with a different texture.
Taiyaki is one of the most popular Japanese street food snacks. You can find taiyaki pretty much anywhere in Japan.
7. Kakigori
Kakigori, shaved ice flavored with syrup, sweetened with condensed milk. kakigori often comes in unique flavors such as matcha green tea and lemon and is topped with anything from sweet red beans to mochi (pounded rice), jelly and whipped cream.
8. Imagawayaki
Imagawayaki is a sweet Japanese street food treat that is made from a batter of eggs, flour, sugar, and water that is ‘baked’ in disk-shaped molds. The end-product is a golden, bite-sized sponge filled with either anko (red bean paste), chocolate, or custard.
Named after an Edo-era bridge in Tokyo where they were first sold, imagawayaki is known as taiko-manju in the Kansai region.
Japanese street food is a great introduction to the cuisine of a country famed for its food. Thanks for reading and have an amazing time eating all the oishi street food in Japan!
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