If what attracts you to tourism in Japan is food, Japanese cuisine has a lot to offer. There are well-known dishes like sushi or ramen, and other more unusual ones, like the ones I list below:
Sashimi (raw fish)
Sashimi consists of raw seafood in thin cuts. There are many types of fish and seafood that are served raw in Japanese cuisine, although it is similar to sushi, it differs because it does not have vinegary rice. When the pieces are served on top of a rice ball, it is called nigiri-zushi.
Kujima (whale)
Whale meat is a delicacy in Japan, and it becomes very expensive. Its meat is soft and fatty, it is easy to cook and very tender. It can be prepared in many ways, in sushi, fried or in a soup.
Natto (fermented beans)
This dish is a very popular one in Japan, and consists of fermented beans. It is a source of protein and a complete breakfast. However, it has a very pungent odor and a slimy texture that can suppress your appetite.
Uni (sea urchin gonads)
Uni is the Japanese name for the edible part of the sea urchin. This part consists of the gonads. The range of colors varies from golden to light yellow and has a creamy consistency. Although it may seem strange, uni is a highly demanded ingredient worldwide, and it has a very high price.
Ikameshi (squid stuffed with rice)
Ikameshi literally means “squid-rice”, and as its name says, it is squid stuffed with rice, bathed in soy sauce. It is a delicious dish, and personally it is not one of the strangest dishes on the list.
Anko (sweet red beans)
As the name says. Anko is a dish that consists of a sweetened bean paste that is widely used in baking. I’ve tried it once and it doesn’t taste too bad if you get over the idea that it’s sugar beans.
Fugu (puffer fish)
Perhaps this is the best known exotic dish in Japan. It is a dangerous dish to eat, since if it is not well prepared it is toxic. Pufferfish skin, ovaries, and liver are highly poisonous, and it takes years of experience for a cook to master the art of preparing fugu.
Basashi (horse meat)
Sometimes this dish is known as “horse sashimi”, as it is eaten raw, like sashimi. Due to its pink color and similar to cherry blossoms, it is also sometimes called “sashimi desakura”. Its meat is highly nutritious in protein, and low in calories or fat.
