Story Get Your Unique Souvenir- The Latest Popular Food Specialties in Japan By JNTO on 19 December 2019
Japanese food specialties have always been popular! The number of stylish restaurants with quality signatures prepared with best selected ingredients has also appeared to be increasing in various parts of the world! Hence, besides the time-honoured cuisines and practically ubiquitous classics that any list could reasonably cite, what about trying out some really trendy but special Japanese dishes in this food lover’s paradise?
Hitting it Big in Japan- Premium Restaurants with Only One Signature!
Since 2018, quality restaurants focusing on one single signature prepared from prime cuts of ingredients, perfect recipes, and delicate seasoning have been increasing rapidly. “Negicchin negi negi” is one of these- it is a specialty of green onion with exclusive creations such as the fusion of alcoholic drinks like tequila with green onion.
If you love rice in soup, it is recommended that you experience something more than the typical Ochazuke (tea rice) at ”Dayone”. This restaurant certainly serves creative variations of Ochazuke. “Komefuku” is a specialty of premium white rice and pot rice dishes made with quality rice throughout the country. It amazes eaters all the time, as its menu are at least 5, 6 choices of quality rice including mixed rice best in the season.
“Natto Workshop Sendaiya”, which generated buzz by its all-you-can-eat natto breakfast. The restaurant is run by Sendaiya, the famous natto maker, so the restaurant also bears the name.
Attention on the Unique Gourmet! Beautiful Candy Cans and Canned Food
Besides restaurants, there is also a huge number of other specialties like canned food, confections, and Konpeito sugar candy made by experts. The picturesque presentations of these specialties in Japan make them so fitting and appealing, uplifting your sharing spirit to bring some of these homes to your family and friends to share the amazements.
Trying out all Best Foods on a Budget from Takoyaki Octopus Balls to Exquisites like Uni (Sea Urchin) - Canned Food Bar & Specialties
“mr. Kanso” is the biggest canned food bar in Japan, with a concept of “indulgence in canned food and alcohols”. The place is an anticipated canned food market with festive twist of cans not only from Japan but all over the world! Fascinating choices include canned omelets, takoyaki octopus balls, and seasoned rice with sea bream! You can see its chains in Tokyo, as well as in Kansai and Kyushu. Do not miss it!
Also, head to “ROJI Nihonbashi” for “Kantsuma” (literally “can and snack”). Simply put it, you can eat them like snacks. Variations include ones with quality ingredients like “Hokkaido Rishirito Island Ezobafun sea urchin”, and “boiled Matsusaka beef in soy sauce”!
- ROJI Nihonbashi
- Address: 1st Floor, Kokubun Building, 1-1-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo , Tokyo
- Access: 2-minute walk from exit B9b of Nihonbashi Station, Metro Subway Ginza line, Tozai line
- Business Hours: 11:00 a.m. -６:30 p.m. [Monday – Friday] (Closes at 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
Real-Looking Handheld Fans and Gold Fish!
“Asakusa Amezaiku Factory Ameshin”
The historical Amezaiku（traditional Japanese folk art of sculpting candy into a variety of shapes as animals and other characters） shop is nearby the Sensoji temple in Asakusa. Amezaiku is a kind of Japanese candy craft artistry in which artists use their hands and other tools such as scissors to shape and color heat-softened candy.
Animals like goldfish, cat, frog, and panda are commonly created to appeal to children, while intricate objects like handheld fan with traditional Japanese patterns are also stunning. In the chain inside the shopping mall “Tokyo Soramachi”, you can also get to see Amezaiku performance shows!
- Asakusa Sweet Factory Ameshin Hanakawado Chain
- Address: 1st Floor, Hori Building, 2-9-1, Hanakawado, Taito Ward, Tokyo
- Access: 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Ginza line, Asakusa line, Tobu line), or 8-minute walk from Kaminarimon
- Business Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- ※Close on Thursdays (please check official website for occasional irregular closures and candy workshops)
