Tempura
A dish known as tempura consists of seafood, pork, and vegetable pieces that are battered and fried in hot oil. Typically, flour and eggs are used in the batter. Before eating, tentsuyu, a unique sauce, is typically dipped into tempura. Tentsuyu is a sauce created from simmered mixtures of mirin, soy sauce, and broth produced from dried bonito or kombu. For a more energising flavour, you might add ginger or grated radish to your preference.
Rice Balls, or Onigiri
The rice balls known as onigiri may be familiar to you. Although onigiri, also known as omusubi, appear to be nothing more than simple rice, they frequently contain a savoury filling and are covered in a salty film of nori seaweed. Families prepare them as bento lunches, and you frequently see them being sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. This is a traditional option for a small snack or lunch.
Onigiri frequently come in the tastes of kelp, salmon, pickled plums (umeboshi), and bonito flakes. There are other different tastes as well; visit a supermarket or convenience store to discover what’s available.
There are restaurants that serve onigiri that you can enjoy during a sit-down dinner, produced by hand by chefs with high-quality ingredients, even if you can make onigiri yourself and buy it for a low price. For its superb rice balls, Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku in Tokyo is one restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin star.
Picture of a Michelin-starred Yakitori restaurant from Bird Land in Ginza
Chicken is commonly sliced into small pieces for yakitori, which is then grilled on bamboo skewers. It is frequently included on izakaya and casual restaurant menus, making it an excellent choice for a night out with friends in Japan. It tastes particularly good when combined with alcohol. Additionally, there is a considerable probability that food stands selling this traditional meal will be present if you attend a Japanese event.
In restaurants, yakitori is ordered by the type of chicken it is made from. Other varieties of meat and veggies can also be found on skewers. Take the initial bite without adding any more condiments since it is typically lightly seasoned with salt when it arrives. Right off the skewer, you can eat.