Swamp NewsConvenience store “egg sandwiches” are becoming a hot topic as they are extremely popular among foreigners.
What is it about Japanese foods like egg sandwiches, curry bread, and croquettes that appeal to foreigners?
In fact, these foods that are everyday to us are like a bottomless swamp to these foreigners.
In this article, we will explore the Japanese foods that foreigners tend to get addicted to and the reasons why, while also delving into the lesser known “swamps.” By reading this article, you may be able to rediscover the depth of Japanese food.
Ranking of popular Japanese foods among foreign tourists: Classic
When speaking of Japanese food to foreigners, the first thing that comes to mind is sushi and tempura. These are all representative Japanese foods that represent Japanese culture, and many foreign tourists have fallen in love with them. In this chapter, we will start by looking at these classic Japanese foods.
sushi
Sushi is synonymous with Japanese food. Conveyor belt sushi in particular is extremely popular. Not only is it easy to enjoy, but what surprises foreigners is how fresh it is.
More and more people are overwhelmed by the beautiful appearance and wide variety of sushi, and are becoming addicted to Japanese sushi culture.
Tempura
The light texture of tempura is popular with foreigners who love fried food. Shrimp tempura is especially popular, with its irresistible contrast between the crispy batter and the fluffy filling.
Along with sushi, it is a huge swamp of Japanese food that many foreigners have become addicted to.
Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu
For foreigners, sukiyaki and shabu-shabu cooked at the table are a special experience. The secret to their popularity is the unique cooking methods used for both sukiyaki, which has a sweet and spicy flavor, and shabu-shabu, which is served with a simple broth.
Many foreigners are reluctant to “eat from the same pot” even when dining at home, so recently restaurants that offer individual shabu-shabu (one pot per person) have become very popular with foreign tourists.
ramen
Ramen is booming internationally. Tonkotsu ramen and miso ramen are especially popular, and an increasing number of foreigners are traveling to try the unique ramen from each region.
To foreigners, ramen may seem like a dish in which you can enjoy both noodles and soup at the same time, but if you are visiting Japan, please be careful not to fall into the trap of eating too much ramen over and over again and consuming too much salt.
Pork cutlet
The appeal of tonkatsu lies in the exquisite combination of the crispy breadcrumb coating and the juicy pork inside.
Western fried foods often use flour and butter, but Japanese fried foods made with breadcrumbs have a completely different lightness and texture that is refreshing for foreigners.
Curry Rice
It is said that Japanese curry rice was introduced from Britain via the navy, but it has evolved uniquely over its long history and is now established as a Japanese dish.
Its appeal lies in its thick, fragrant roux and its wide variety of ingredients, and the crispy fries and soft-boiled eggs toppings in particular are refreshing even for foreigners.
Another feature of Japanese curry is that you can enjoy a variety of flavors on one plate.
Trying out the extra spiciness at CoCo Ichibanya might be a great memory.
Yakiniku
Yakiniku is known as a Korean dish, but since Japan and Korea have co-hosted the World Cup together, this may not be a big issue for foreign tourists.
If you do come to the restaurant, we recommend you try the Wagyu beef yakiniku. Enjoying conversation while grilling your favorite meat is the perfect dining experience.
This is an extremely popular menu item, especially among foreigners, as the experience of juicy meat grilled over charcoal is a fresh experience and you can also enjoy the atmosphere of a yakiniku restaurant.
Miso soup and pork soup
Miso soup and pork soup are iconic Japanese home cooking dishes. These soups have a deep flavor, with the umami of the dashi and the richness of the miso exquisitely intertwined.
Another appealing feature is that it is highly nutritious, thanks to the use of tofu and vegetables as ingredients. For foreign tourists, the simple yet rich flavor is refreshing, making it the perfect dish to experience a part of Japanese food culture.
Udon
Udon is popular among Japanese people for its simple flavor and rich texture. For foreigners, udon is also an easy-to-enjoy dish that can be customized.
The appeal is that you can enjoy a variety of styles, such as fried udon, curry udon, and himokawa udon. In addition, udon made with local ingredients and ingredients that make use of the characteristics of each region will add to the enjoyment of your trip.
buckwheat
It is a traditional Japanese noodle dish that is popular with foreign tourists for its aroma and unique flavor. Soba in particular has been gaining attention as a healthy, gluten-free ingredient, and is also popular among health-conscious people.
It is also a dish that symbolizes the diversity of food culture, and can be enjoyed cold or hot, and with a variety of toppings, making it a new dining experience for foreigners as well.
Yakitori
Yakitori is a dish that represents Japanese izakaya culture and is characterized by fragrant grilled chicken. The reason it is popular with foreign tourists is that it is simple yet allows you to enjoy a variety of different cuts of chicken.
The fact that it is served on a skewer also makes it convenient, making it easy to eat and perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Okonomiyaki
The appeal of okonomiyaki is that you can freely choose the ingredients and toppings, allowing you to customize it to suit your individual tastes.
This high level of customizability will make it a fun dining experience for foreigners, just like ordering a sandwich from SUBWAY.
The sight of it being cooked together with the fragrant aroma is visually appealing and appetizing. In addition, it is easy to make at home, making it a popular dish that gives you a taste of Japanese food culture.
Raw egg on rice
TKG (raw egg on rice) is a very common dish for Japanese people, but since eating raw eggs is not a common practice overseas, people trying it for the first time may feel uncomfortable.
However, in Japan, eggs are of high quality and are easily available fresh, so you can safely enjoy them as sashimi (raw).
The shocking taste of this served on delicious Japanese white rice and seasoned with soy sauce will make any foreigner who tries it once an unforgettable fantasista.
Onigiri
Onigiri is a dish that symbolizes traditional Japanese food culture and is easy to carry around. Although simple, there are many variations by changing the ingredients and shape.
This versatility is one of the reasons why it is popular with foreign tourists as well. By wrapping ingredients with different tastes and textures, it can be enjoyed in a way that suits different cultures and tastes.
Eel
Eel is one of Japan’s traditional high-class dishes that is popular with foreign tourists, and it is undoubtedly a prime example of swamp ingredients.
In particular, dishes such as “unaju,” “unadon,” and “hitsumabushi,” which are prepared with a sweet and spicy sauce, are highly regarded as having a special flavor that is unique to Japan.
The plump eel meat and flavor of the sauce are the result of a cooking method unique to Japan. It is also known as a stamina dish, and there is a custom of many people enjoying it on the summer day of Doyo no Ushi.
On the other hand, grilled or smoked eel is more common overseas.
For example, in Europe, smoked eel is often served with bread or crackers, while in the United States and China it can also be fried or used in soups.
Japan’s unique sauce culture and the unique way of eating it in combination with rice are attractions not found in eel cuisine overseas, making it a fresh experience for foreign travelers.
Ranking of popular Japanese foods among foreign tourists: Surprising edition
Here are five surprising Japanese foods that foreigners find addictive. There are Japanese foods that are eaten on a daily basis in Japan, but that seem fresh and appealing to foreigners. In this chapter, we will pick out some of these “unexpected Japanese foods.”
Egg sandwich
Although egg sandwiches may look simple, foreigners tend to become addicted to them due to their uniquely Japanese creamy and fluffy texture.
Japanese convenience store sandwiches in particular have an exquisite balance between the softness of the egg and the bread, and once you start eating them, you can’t stop; they have a danger (and charm) that is like a bottomless swamp.
croquette
Japanese croquettes are generally stuffed with potato, and sometimes come in curry flavored variations. The crispy batter and fluffy texture seem to be a novelty for foreigners.
More and more foreigners are becoming addicted to croquettes, which are easily available at convenience stores, or as a snack to satisfy their hunger while walking around shopping districts.
Minced meat cutlet
The juicy, meaty, and delicious minced cutlet is very filling and a popular dish among foreigners.
Japanese minced cutlets in particular have an exquisite balance of crispy batter and juicy filling, making them a taste you’ll find yourself coming back for more.
Curry bread
Curry bread is a type of bread filled with Japanese curry and is very popular among foreigners. Not only is it easy to eat, but the mild, flavorful curry that is unique to Japan stimulates the taste buds of foreigners.
There are various theories about the origins of curry bread, but there is no doubt that it is a food that originated in Japan, and it has become a hot topic as it offers foreigners a very surprising experience.
Fried dumplings
Unlike Chinese boiled dumplings, pan-fried dumplings are appealing for their crispy skin and fragrant taste. Pan-frying the dumplings gives them a fragrant flavor, and the juicy meat juices overflow with every bite.
It pairs perfectly with beer, so many foreigners are hooked on it as a companion to Japanese beer, which is also popular among them.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki is a familiar street food for Japanese people, but foreigners may be hesitant to try octopus. However, takoyaki has a unique appearance and an appealing texture with a crispy exterior and soft inside.
The octopus flavor is mild and it is seasoned with sauce and mayonnaise, making it an easy dish to try even for foreigners who dislike octopus.
There are many foreigners who say they don’t like octopus because it looks alien, but they love Japanese takoyaki! So we highly recommend you give it a try.
Doutor’s German Hot Dog
For foreign tourists visiting Japan, traditional Japanese cuisine such as sushi, ramen, and tempura are an essential experience, but the unique menu items available at chain restaurants are also not to be missed.
One example is Doutor Coffee’s “German Hot Dog.”
As you know, this hot dog is a popular snack for Japanese office workers. It is cooked to order and served piping hot.
This simple yet well-made dish consists of juicy sausage sandwiched between crispy bread, and costs just 290 yen (at the time of writing).
Since it is not yet widely known among foreigners, it is also recommended as a hidden gourmet spot.
Ranking of popular Japanese foods among foreign tourists: What they might like
We will introduce carefully selected Japanese foods that foreigners have not yet become addicted to, but have a high chance of becoming addicted in the future. These Japanese foods may be considered uncharted territory for many foreigners, but they may become a “new gourmet swamp” in the future. In this chapter, we will warn you so that you don’t get addicted without realizing it.
Chocolate Banana
The colorful appearance of chocolate bananas and the entertainment value of the food stalls are refreshing. In particular, the experience of eating it as a dessert at Japanese festivals is likely to spread as a fun experience that gives a sense of foreign culture.
It is made from ingredients familiar to foreigners, chocolate and bananas, and is perfect for eating while walking around, so if it is sold in tourist areas such as Asakusa, there is a high possibility that many people will become addicted, so care should be taken.
Seasoned boiled eggs
Seasoned boiled eggs are a common sight at convenience stores. But if you think they’re just “normal boiled eggs” that are already salty, you’d be mistaken.
The perfect boiling and the creamy texture of the yolk make this a delicacy. Even Japanese people can get addicted to this swamp. Foreigners, please be careful. You may not be able to return home.
Fried Chicken
Although fried foods are found in other countries as well, Japanese fried chicken is cooked in a unique way using soy sauce and ginger as seasonings, and its juicy texture makes it a flavor that is easily accepted by foreigners.
Japanese fried chicken is a little different from fried chicken. Moreover, each shop has its own unique characteristics. Japanese fried chicken, which can be easily enjoyed as a hot snack at a convenience store, is a bottomless pit that is dangerous to enter.
Omelette rice
The unique style of wrapping ketchup rice in egg is actually a dish that is not often seen overseas.
Although it is a Western dish unique to Japan, omurice, which is made by wrapping rice fried in tomato ketchup and butter in a fluffy egg, is also easily enjoyed by foreigners, and its cute appearance means that there is a very good chance that you will become addicted to it.
Fried shrimp
Japanese fried shrimp is a simple fried food made of plump shrimp coated in a crispy batter, but the light texture and combination of tartar sauce are sure to be a fresh experience for foreigners.
We are already swamped with fried foods such as croquettes, minced meat cutlets, pork cutlets, and curry bread, but if foreigners were to discover the existence of a “fried shrimp swamp” following the “shrimp tempura swamp”… it would be quite dangerous.
Tanmen
Ramen is already a very popular Japanese food among foreigners, but surprisingly, tanmen is not very well known.
Tanmen is a simple dish, but its vegetable-rich salty soup, chewy noodles, and crunchy vegetables combine perfectly to make it easy to eat and give the impression of being healthy.
This means that it may be popular among health-conscious foreigners. In particular, since it contains more vegetables than ramen, it is also ideal for those who are concerned about nutritional balance.
Another appealing feature is that its light flavor makes it easy to incorporate into a variety of food cultures, so it may become popular among foreigners looking for a healthy and tasty option for a light lunch or dinner.
Ranking of popular Japanese foods among foreign tourists: Japanese souvenirs
If you are reading this article, you may be planning to invite a foreign acquaintance to Japan. You may want to prepare a nice souvenir to make their stay in Japan a special memory.
So this time, we will introduce “Japanese food that makes a great souvenir” and “typically Japanese items that won’t take up much space when traveling.”
Shizuoka oden and fried black fish cake
Shizuoka oden is a local Shizuoka delicacy that is a little different from regular oden. Its biggest features are the black broth and the ingredients skewered on top.
The Shizuoka way is to simmer it slowly in a rich broth that has been infused with the flavor of beef tendons, and finish it off by sprinkling on some green laver and dashi powder.
For foreign tourists, the general image of oden is that it is a lightly flavored soup dish, so the pitch black appearance and rich flavor are sure to be a shocking experience!
Another dish you’ll want to enjoy with Shizuoka oden is fried black fish cakes. Black fish cakes are a type of fish paste unique to Shizuoka, made from minced sardines and mackerel.
By frying this, it takes on a new texture that is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside! This “black gourmet” unique to Shizuoka is a dish you’ll want to try at least once as a memento of your trip.
Cup Yakisoba
One thing that shocks foreign tourists about Japanese cup yakisoba is the unique cooking method of pouring hot water and draining the water.
In particular, in Europe and the United States, where it is common for instant noodles to be eaten along with the soup, people are often surprised and ask, “Why do you have to throw away the hot water?”
Another reason for their popularity is that Japanese cup yakisoba comes with a wide variety of sauces, including those with spices, green laver, and mayonnaise, allowing you to enjoy a variety of flavors.
Furthermore, there are many popular products, such as the extra large serving size of Peyoung, and one of the attractions is that they look great on social media.
lastly
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