6 tips for enjoying delicious food in Japan

Popular restaurants in Japan often sell out faster than tickets to see Taylor Swift. Even humble noodle shops have longer queues than the entrances to Disneyland rides. These places are usually crowded because they've been praised on TikTok or received some kind of international award. The praise is well-deserved, but there are many other places that are just as great, if not better.

So, if you're planning a trip to Japan, keep these tips in mind to enjoy delicious meals without worry.

Knowing where you need to go.

6 tips for enjoying delicious food in Japan — **Multi-course meals are always served in traditional Japanese inns.** Photo: Japanese Kaiseki & bar

Use Tabelog to find restaurants. While Google is easier to use, the reviews there are often inconsistent. Many places might receive 3-star ratings from Japanese people, but 5-star or even 1-star ratings from Americans. Tabelog is primarily for locals, so listen to their reviews. A 4-star rating from a Japanese person is considered a sign of an excellent restaurant.

Many people want to try traditional, multi-course meals (kaiseki), subtly seasonal and executed with the precision of a culinary ballet. If staying at a traditional inn (ryokan), this type of food will be served as an accompaniment. Therefore, if dining out, opt for other options, such as teppanyaki grilled dishes.

When it comes to sushi, save it for coastal cities for the freshest taste.

Don't feel offended if some restaurants turn away foreign customers. It's because the owners want to interact with guests, tell jokes, and build relationships. Language might be the barrier then. Many places have signs that say "No foreign customers allowed," but often include a line in Japanese that says, "If you read this, please come in." Even if you only know a few Japanese words, such as "Oishi desu" (This is delicious), you'll be welcome anywhere.

Dinner set

If you've set your sights on a particular location, book your table as early as possible.

Additionally, if you've already booked a hotel, you can ask the reception staff to make reservations at restaurants with specific requests, such as sitting at the sushi counter. Asking friends in Japan to make reservations is also a good option, similar to hiring a tour guide. They might suggest places you would never find on your own.

Additionally, choose foreigners who have lived in Japan for many years and speak fluent Japanese. They will help bridge the cultural gap between tourists and locals.

Convenience stores are amazing.

Convenience stores, or konbini in Japan, have everything. You can eat delicious and inexpensive egg salad sandwiches at Lawson or 7-Eleven all day long. FamilyMart can also be a great place to shop for high-quality convenience items.

The yen is at a record low, but that doesn't mean you should skip convenience stores when shopping at large department stores. Shopping at konbini (convenience stores) is also a great option. Some even have better everyday essentials than Uniqlo. If you prioritize fast, authentic, and inexpensive food, try obanzai (small, family-run eateries) in Kyoto. These family-run restaurants often have fixed menus at low prices. For example, a meal including tempura and sashimi at Kokora Ya costs only about $6 (approximately 150,000 VND).

Avoid the ramen trap.

Be wary if someone says, "It's totally worth waiting two hours for a bowl of ramen." The meaning of ramen is a quick meal. Eating ramen as a foreigner is like watching figure skating. You can't tell the difference between a 9.8-rated performance and a 9.9-rated performance.

Don't be among the hundreds of people in line at the famous Honke Daiichi Asahi in Kyoto or Chukasoba Ginza Hachigou in Tokyo. No bowl of ramen is so good that you'd give up an entire afternoon exploring the city. Instead, try a less-hyped spot. Good ramen can be found everywhere in Japan.

Some basic rules of conduct

In Japan, the customer isn't always right. Social commitment in Japan is two-way. Diners expect restaurant owners to be hospitable, and owners expect customers to behave with a certain level of politeness.

Punctuality is paramount. Lateness is simply unacceptable in Japanese society.

Speaking loudly and taking ostentatious selfies are also major mistakes. Tipping is considered impolite and can be seen as an unwanted act of charity by those who take pride in their work.

Trust in the quality of Japanese food.

The quality standards of Japanese cuisine far surpass those of most other places in the world. Therefore, very few tourists are disappointed with Japanese food.

With that in mind, try taking a risk and choosing a place that's unfamiliar and, by chance, nobody else knows about. If you can't get a table at a famous Michelin-starred restaurant or ramen shop, that's perfectly fine. Let the surprises happen. The feeling of accidentally discovering a great restaurant is very exciting.

According to vnexpress.net

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/6-meo-de-an-ngon-o-nhat-ban-160755.html