FOOD

Food, Glorious Food

hallmarks of japanese cuisine are exquisite presentation and sensational taste. But it is important to get a sense of the sheer variety of unique and fun things to eat on offer in Japan...

1 IZAKAYA

The place to unwind whilst you are in Japan
- enjoy some drinks and snacks with the locals!

In Japan, the place to be after a long day at the office or a hard day exploring the streets of Tokyo is a local Izakaya, which offers not only alcohol and a range of other beverages, but also good food. An Izakaya is the destination of choice to meet with friends and hang out, ordering drinks and sampling the range of small dishes, often called Japanese tapas, which are shared around the table. Occasionally an Izakaya will offer a set price for unlimited food and drink. Izakaya are often styled with traditional low tables and tatami mats, although many do feature a layout of tables and stools much like Western restaurants. Along with the customary hand towel, visitors generally receive an appetiser upon arrival for a small fee that is added to the final bill. There are many different types of Izakaya, including chain outlets, venues that resemble street stalls, or establishments that specialise in Yakitori skewers or Robatayaki grilled meat and vegetables.

2 DEPA CHIKA

Not your regular food court,
Depachika’s are gastronomic delights and fun shopping experiences!

Who would have thought that one of the ultimate places to get a hold on the wonders of Japan’s contemporary food culture would be in a department store? Depachika, the abbreviation for “depaato chika uriba,” is the food section in the basement of a department store or “Departo”. Unlike Western food halls, Depachika are super-trendy and a heaven for foodies as well as travellers seeking souvenirs. They are usually laid out a little like indoor flea markets, with many small individual vendors rather than supermarket aisles. Depachika stock an opulent array of specialty fresh and packaged goods and many sumptuous gourmet items from around the globe. The sheer variety of fun food items is overwhelming! Often depachika’s may have multiple floors – one floor for prepared food and another for products and raw food. Be sure to sample some of the yummy baked goods, soba noodles, okonomiyaki (Kansai style pancakes), Japanese candy and enjoy the lively competition of the vendors! An absolutely fantastic, not-to-be-missed experience for any traveler or foodie!

3 WAGASHI

Delight in possibly the most creative,
unusual confectionary you will ever come across!

A culinary art developed over four hundred years and inspired by revered elements of Japanese culture, Wagashi is the quintessentially Japanese confection. Each Wagashi has a name that is often derived from a natural wonder or word picked out of ancient literature. The four seasons are of great importance to the Japanese and often the names or flavours of Wagashi will evoke one of the seasons. There are different Wagashi for each season or traditional event. The names are very special as they are created from characters (Kanji) that are not used on an everyday basis. Wagashi are an art form, and they are created to please every sense: they are visually attractive, their names are pleasing to the ear, and they engage the tastebuds in a confectionary experience. Even better, they are made with natural ingredients – including ingredients derived from grains, beans and fruit. Wagashi are often served with tea or at a tea ceremony.

4 TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Hustle and bustle in Tokyo’s biggest fish market,
where you’ll find the freshest sushi in town!

The Tsukiji Fish Market, or the “Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market,” specialises in the freshest fish, offering the high quality seafood. The biggest wholesale fish market in Japan, the Tsukiji market is a vital link between the food producers and consumers, and for many of Tokyo’s gastronomists it is one of the key sources of superior ingredients and the fresh, high quality dishes of Japanese restaurants. There are two sections to the market. The first, in the middle of the market, is called jonai-shijo and is the wholesale section where the auctions for fish will take place. Surrounding this is the jogai-shijo section, which is a mix of wholesale outlets that sell ingredients and tools for Japanese cooking and retail shops such as Sushi outlets. The market can be accessed from the Tsukijishijo station in Tokyo. Be sure to visit first thing in the morning, when the market is at its most lively!
www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm

5 EKIBEN

Ekiben are Japan’s favourite bento-boxes-on-the go
– ideal snacks for commuters and travelers!

Ekiben are unique Japanese lunchboxes, purchased at railway stations or on trains. Similar to bento boxes, Ekiben feature tasty, cooked food arranged in attractive trays. These lunchboxes feature local specialities, so once you get out of Tokyo, the options explode. The popularity of air travel has seen the creation of Soraben, or Air-lunchboxes, found at airports.

6 B-KYU GURUME (GOURMET)

B-grade but A-grade satisfaction
− cheap, quick and yummy gets the nod...

Japan’s own version of street food, or “B-kyu gurume” (B-grade gourmet), is enjoying its moment in the sun. It refers to cheap and cheerful comfort food, usually served home-style without much flair. But Japan’s love affair with dishes like okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) and noodles such as ramen runs deep. Among the many basic looking specialty food shops are ones that shine -- with cooks that have that one dish to such a fine art that they serve up a very satisfying dish for less than the equivalent of ten bucks. Look beyond the less-than-flash interior and these restaurants will redefine your understanding of B-grade. “B-kyu Gurume Festa,” recently held in Okayama prefecture, attracted thousands of visitors to try the 54 B-grade dishes selected from all over Japan. Among them, yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) was extra popular. Not surprising, because a yakisoba stand is a staple at outdoor events and loved by people of all ages. Other types of noodles are popular too, such as udon and soba. Standing-only shops serving these noodles at train platforms are always full of people getting a quick bite before catching the train. Speaking of trains, sushi train is another popular haunt for B-grade foodies. Conveyor belt sushi normally errs on the cheap side, but a great spot can knock the socks off even the most discerning sushi connoisseur. An oden stand is a B-grade favourite too. Oden is a comforting bowl of fishcakes, tofu, daikon radish and meats simmered in sweet-ish dashi stock. It is sold at most convenience stores during winter, making it the king of B-grade gourmet for its accessibility and affordability.