Travel and Food

Published on February 24th, 2021 | by admin

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Delightful Japanese Street Foods

 

When in Rome, do as the Romans do is a phrase that’s passed down through the ages, and it means trying out new things to fit in. If you have yet to delve into the delectable world of Japanese cuisine, some popular street foods are a great place to start. From noodles, dumplings, and desserts, to savory side dishes you can easily fill up on, here are some of the best options to try when discovering Asia.

  • Gyoza

Gyoza are a Chinese dish that’s been co-opted into mainstay Japanese cuisine. The deep fried dumplings are usually filled with a mixture of pork, cabbage, green onion, garlic, ginger and sesame sauce served alongside a soy infused vinegar. They usually are served in izakaya shops as well as ramen ones, and they’ll definitely feature heavily from various vendors during street markets or festivals.

  • Korokke

A cross between fritters and French crepes, korokke are creamy mashed potatoes on the inside, and breaded deep-fried patties on the outside, and are said to have been inspired by French croquettes. With a variety of fillings that vary by region, this deliciously greasy treat is a great pick-me-up after a night of drinking bīru or staying out late singing karaoke.

  • Kakigori

A distinctly Japanese version of snow cones, these frosty treats feature the addition of sugary sweet condensed-milk and delicately flavoured syrups, with watermelon being one of the most popular options around. The combination of light ice flakes with the gentle dusting of toppings create a melt in your mouth sweetness which will leave the appeal of a plain ice-cream far behind.

  • Okonomiyaki

One of the easiest, simplest, and tastiest street foods around, Okonomiyaki is a popular favourite that’s easy enough to replicate at home: combine all your favourite foods, add batter, and turn it into a pancake. Flavour options include shrimp, yam, octopus, pork and kimchi, and you usually won’t need to look to hard to find a vendor, as they’re popular year-round.

  • Takoyaki

If croquettenballens are a Dutch staple, then their Japanese equivalent has to be Takoyaki. These little golden balls of batter are filled with toppings such as tenkasu, benishoga, and octopus along with ginger and green onions. Their name literally means octopus balls, and are said to originally hail from Osaka.

  • Dango

This skewered spherical dumpling is a savoury and sweet option that is surprisingly filling, and as a bonus, they’re rather fun to eat. Usually, three glutinous rice mochiko are set on a skewer and layered in shoyu and a sugary sauce – flavour depending on what the vendor has available. They are usually sweet and some are even as colourful as macaroons.

  • Yakisoba

A street food list isn’t complete without a noodle dish – and while there are a huge variety to choose from – however, one which is commonly served at ramen shops and street markets is Yakisoba – or steamed noodles. Made from wheat flour, kansui and water, these noodles have a delightful sweet and savoury mix, along with a bit of tang, thanks to sauces such as oyster, soy, Worcestershire and other seasonings. Additional items within it vary season to season.

  • Yakitori

Another skewered favourite are Yakitori – a Japanese skewered chicken, though sometimes it can include other meats, depending on availability. It hails from the Meiji Era (around 1868) and remains popular today. It’s quite easy to prepare as it consists of green pepper and chicken which alternate on the skewer, and is almost always cooked over a charcoal grill. The skewer is flavoured before (or sometimes after) cooking with teriyaki sauce and a dusting of brown sugar.

  • Ikayaki

As seafood is a popular menu item, so is Ikayaki: squid pieces served on skewered sticks and ideal for eating when you visit website. It is most popular in Osaka and the grilled squid is topped with a light layer of soy sauce before serving – allowing the slightly chewy texture to become the main focus – despite how it sounds, it truly is one of the most delicious – and most authentically Japanese dishes around.

 


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