8 Japanese Street Foods You Must Try When Visiting Japan – Sample the Authentic Flavours of Japan

Japanese street food, also known as Yatai, can be found all across Japan. Needless to say, street food markets are the best places to sample the street food delights of Japan. However, you can also find some street food dishes at restaurants found in properties offered by the likes of Travelodge Hotels Asia. Japanese street food is an inherent part of the Asian food scene; most 3-star hotels in Asia, as well as luxury accommodations, include these gastronomical delights in their menus.

Originating from Osaka, Takoyaki is a popular street food that has won hearts worldwide. These are ball-shaped and made from a wheat-based batter filled with diced or whole octopus, which gives it a surprising and delightful texture. The batter also includes tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion, contributing to its unique flavour profile. The dish is topped off with a generous drizzle of takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and a sprinkle of green laver and shavings of dried bonito.

Yakisoba is a timeless street food dish and a staple at any Japanese festival. The word Yakisoba translates to fried noodles, but it's much more than that. It's a hearty dish consisting of stir-fried noodles tossed together with bits of pork and vegetables like cabbage and carrots and flavoured with a sweet and savoury sauce.  

Japan's love for grilled items shines through in their street food, particularly with Yakitori. These are skewers of grilled chicken, often seasoned simply with tare sauce or salt. But yakitori isn't just limited to chicken. Variations include skewers of beef, pork, vegetables, and even offal, all grilled to perfection.

Japanese street food isn't just about meats and seafood. Vegetables also hold a significant place in Japan’s street food culture. From pickled radishes served as a refreshing side dish to yaki-tomorokoshi, vegetables add a vibrant and fresh contrast to the savoury dishes. A unique street food item is the yaki-imo truck, which is something you are bound to see while exploring Japan’s food markets; it’s a truck that sells slow-roasted sweet potatoes, which is the perfect addition to a chilly evening.

After all those savoury dishes, you might find yourself craving some sweetness. Candied fruit, or Amezaiku, is a traditional Japanese art form that shapes candy into various forms, and they often resemble animals and fruits. Using a special technique, artisans mould the hot, flexible candy before it hardens into an artistic and sweet treat.

Festivals are incomplete without the presence of Wata-ame, also known as cotton candy. It's a universal treat, and in Japan, you can find them in various colours and flavours, often packaged in fun, creative packaging. The fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness of Wata-ame is sure to bring out the child in you.

These are bananas coated in a layer of chocolate, then often sprinkled with colourful toppings like rainbow sprinkles or nuts. Once the chocolate hardens, it forms a delightful shell around the banana, offering a delicious contrast between the fresh fruit and the sweet chocolate. This treat is a festival favourite.

Japanese crepes take a twist on the classic French dessert. They are thin, delicate, and meticulously rolled up with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings. Sweet options include fresh fruits, cream, chocolate, custard, and even slices of cheesecake. On the savoury side, you can find fillings like tuna, ham, and cheese. Rolled into a cone shape and often served in a paper sleeve, they are perfect for eating on the go while you continue your street food exploration.