The 30 Types of Japanese Restaurant
When most people think of Japanese restaurants they think of Sushi restaurants. The fact is, there are 30 kinds of Japanese restaurant in Japan — all specializing in a different type of Japanese cuisine.
1. Ramen (ラーメン) RestaurantsChinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat or fish broth. You usually get a choice or soy sauce or miso flavoring for the soup. Ramen is often topped with chashu (thin cut pork), negi and nori. Practically every region of Japan has its own unique variety of ramen.
When most people think of Japanese restaurants they think of Sushi restaurants. The fact is, there are 30 kinds of Japanese restaurant in Japan — all specializing in a different type of Japanese cuisine.
1. Ramen (ラーメン) RestaurantsChinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat or fish broth. You usually get a choice or soy sauce or miso flavoring for the soup. Ramen is often topped with chashu (thin cut pork), negi and nori. Practically every region of Japan has its own unique variety of ramen.
Soba (そば) RestaurantsJapanese buckwheat noodles served hot or cold with a variety of toppings.
Izakaya (居酒屋)Izakaya are essentially Japanese pubs. They serve a variety of popular drinking foods such as Japanese fried chicken, edamame, yakitori and sashimi.
Tonkatsu (とんかつ) RestaurantsBreaded deep-fried pork served with shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup and Japanese pickles. It's served with Tonkatsu Sauce (a thick sweet sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce).
Sushi (すし) RestaurantsSushi is perhaps more popular in Western countries such as the US and Canada than it is in Japan. Japanese sushi is very different from Western varieties.
Tempura (天ぷら) RestaurantsIn Japan there is a great variety of Tempura restaurants ranging from street vendors to 5-star restaurants.
Shabu-shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ) Restaurants Japanese hot pot restaurants. Patrons cook a variety of fresh ingredients in a hot pot at their table.
Takoyaki (たこ焼き) RestaurantsBall-shaped Japanese pancakes with octopus inside. It's usually topped with a sweet sauce, mayonnaise and pickled ginger.
Kare Raisu (カレーライス) RestaurantsJapanese style curry with rice. A national obsession.
Udon (うどん) RestaurantsThick Japanese wheat-flour noodles.