What to Eat in Japan if You Don’t Like Sushi
Actually, in Japan I discovered that I do like sushi. Living in Chicago, a place where “fresh fish” often means “thawed fish”, I have stayed away from sushi throughout my adult life.
However, towards the end of our trip Judy’s clients took us out for a feast that included many kinds of sushi. I knew it would be rude not to dig into all the dishes on offer, and was very pleasantly surprised with the result. Up until that point, though, we avoided sushi. But we did not go hungry. Here are some of the delicious foods we found.
Ramen. Before this trip, ramen brought to my mind those little compressed squares of dried noodles in cellophane. As a result, the ramen we ate in Japan was a revelation.
We stumbled on this place by chance – I was drawn inside by the logo with the happy noodle-eating baby. We returned at least three times during our stay in Tokyo. Actually, in each town we visited there was a place we kept returning to for meals. It it ain’t broke, etc.
The broth had such depth and richness of flavor that it was almost a spiritual experience. The noodles were toothsome and comforting. The topping of thinly sliced pork, though fatty, added the savory essence of roast meat.
On her way out the door, Judy turned around and took a picture of the ramen place. Like a lot of places we went to, it was tiny. There was just a single row of stools surrounding a serving area that was an extension of the kitchen.
Here’s another noodle place, this one in Takayama, that’s a little roomier. I appreciate how slurping noodles is entirely acceptable in Japan.
Gyoza. Which is to say, dumplings. We found our favorite gyoza place, once again by accident, in Kyoto.
Gyoza are like the pot stickers you might order in a Chinese restaurant in the USA, but so much better. The wrapping is much thinner and crispier. Also you get to combine soy sauce, chili oil, and something called seven spice powder to make your own delicious dipping sauce.
Yakitori. This is basically little bites of meat or vegetables skewered and cooked on a grill.
The portions are small, but you keep ordering until you are full. We had mushrooms (above), peppers, eggplant, chicken, pork, and other stuff I can’t remember. Most of it was delicious, though there were exceptions. I was not wild about the chicken gizzards.
The yakitori place we ate at in Kyoto was dimly lit and crowded, but friendly.
Tonkatsu. Tonkatsu is deep fried pork cutlet, usually served on a bowl of rice.In Takayama we went repeatedly to a place that specialized in tonkatsu.
It was run by a husband and wife team who glided around each other like ballet dancers in a tiny kitchen. I figured they must have two hearts that beat as one, otherwise they would have killed each other by now. Very nice people, though they didn’t speak English.
This was absolutely the best dessert we ate while in Japan, though we ate it more as a snack. It’s basically a mound of shaved ice topped with a sort of citrus jelly along with bits of grapefruit and blood orange. We ate this after walking through the Ginkakuji garden and we were on verge of heat stroke. We tried unsuccessfully to find another place that served the same thing.
I’ll write more about our experiences with Japanese food – the good, the bad, and the very strange – in future posts.
gardeninacity 
I’ve heard that the ramen in Japan is delicious! I’m so glad you got to eat some really good fresh sushi. We have excellent sushi here in the PNW, too. I wish I liked traveling more, I’d go to Japan in a heartbeat.
Not quite such a long flight from the PNW.
Yes you don’t have to take raw food in Japan. There is so much more to eat there such as you have listed. In fact you might want to try the Japanese version of western staples such as pasta or pizzas. They are actually very good
We did have some western-style food while in Japan. There was an excellent French patisserie near our hotel in Kyoto.
Indeed! And some of them are beyond excellent! We found this little restaurant called Pyrenees in Karuizawa some years back. They served French cuisine even more so than the French!
This is an amazing guide! Japan looks a little intimadating, thanks for sharing. Pictures look so good.
It can be a little intimidating – in some ways a very different feel from Europe and North America. On the other hand, people are mostly extremely friendly.
Thank you for the insight! Can’t wait to go one day soon.
Ah, Gyoza! I love them…
They’re addictive!
What a wonderful trip!
We enjoyed it!
Those dumplings look great.
And they were great! By the way, I think my comments on your blog are getting stuck in the spam folder.
I used to love the Gyoza, and Ramen too! I think Japanese fast food can be pretty fatty and there are plenty of things I wouldn’t touch, but you are reminding me of the tasty stuff! Look forward to hearing/seeing more!
Probably almost all fast food is pretty fatty, unless you snack on an apple or pear.
Yum, all of it, yum!
Precisely!
Interesting. Like you I have never taken to eating sushi. I guess it is because I have heard all my life that you shouldn’t eat any meat that isn’t “cooked”.
The idea of raw meat or fish does run against the grain.
Wonderful post! My mouth was watering as I scrolled down through the pictures. I must say that all your shots look exactly like what we have seen in Japanese movies. Can’t wait to see more.
You’re in luck. More is coming. I have to ask you, though, are my comments on your blog still going into the spam folder?
Yes, the are. I retrieve them and “unspam” them, so that they can go in the comments section.
I love sushi and since there is a significant Japanese population here, we not only have many sushi restaurants, but many grocery stores have sushi stations. My best experience was an invitation to dine with the Japanese envoy in Detroit at his home here. Best Japanese food ever.
We did like sushi when we finally had it in Japan. Now we are gathering courage to try it in Chicago.
I love trying new foods. I already like good sushi. The Gyoza and ramen look so tempting. Wish Japan was just around the corner.
The gyoza and ramen were delicious. Don’t know if we will return to Japan, but we’re very glad we got to go once.
I found food in Japan to be quite different from much of what we eat as same in the States. Some I liked, some not so much.
Same here.
When we lived in Tokyo our young girls’ favorite food was tonkatsu. They are now sushi addicts. Again…thanks for the memories.
Tonkatsu was good, but I’d go for ramen or gyoza first. Not at all ready to be a sushi addict.
Wow, the food looks gorgeous. Mouth-watering indeed. I am not a sushi fan either, it’s wonderful to see the variety of the other things you tried.
Our mouths were watering a lot.
I’ve never had sushi. It doesn’t sound very appealing but some of these dishes do.
The sushi is better than it sounds, if the fish is really fresh.
I’ve tried sushi, and I don’t like it. I think I’d have three jars of sunbutter in my suitcase. 🙂
Sadly, we forgot the sunbutter. But there was plenty of good stuff to eat without sushi.
Loved seeing the food and especially the inside of the restaurants. Still smiling at the fake food items and the coffee cup balcony.
We really enjoyed the tiny restaurants – very cozy and personal. Incidentally, are my comments on your blog going into your spam folder?
So glad there are tasty alternatives to sushi!!
There definitely are!
I’ve never been brave enough to try sushi! I’d probably stick to the yakitori the whole trip:)
We probably could have been happy doing that, but I would hate to miss the ramen.
I don’t like to have too much rice (but my wife does). So when we go to a sushi restaurant, I just get sashimi.
Nice post!
I’ll try going here next time I decide to eat out!
I’ve been reading through your great Japan posts, and it’s bringing back great memories. My husband decided he didn’t like sushi either after getting sick when he ate them in Chicago, where we lived for a while after college. But then we went to Japan for his brother’s wedding, and, like you, he realized he loved it! Thanks for posting all these fun pics and stories – we went to a number of the places you did, but my memory of them had faded.
We just recently discovered a place near us that does have good sushi, even in Chicago. Glad you enjoyed the posts.
But you do like sushi right? XD
Mmm some great suggestions! Interestingly, when I went to Japan I couldnt find Sushi anywhere! They just seemed to have other intricate japanese meals available.
xx
https://colourpotblog.wordpress.com/
We finally had sushi when Judy’s clients took us out to dinner. We were surprised that we really liked it.
Although I love sushi anyway, I’m so glad you mentioned gyoza! Theyre so delicious,especially the pork ones! Looks promising!
If you have time, read my latest blog post about my Taro sushi bar review at https://tootinghustle.wordpress.com/2017/05/17/taro-sushi-bar-in-review/ and let me know what you think!
Happy blogging x
I’m drooling just thinking about all the delicious food you described. I miss Japan very much and must go back!