Study Abroad Diaries: Dana's Favorite Food Spots

One of most popular aspects of Japan is the food. Some famous foods in Japan are fluffy pancakes, matcha ice cream, tonkatsu, and ramen. Dana, however, chose to take a deeper dive into Japanese cuisine. She tried local delicacies from both the Kansai (South region of Japan) and Kanto (Northern region of Japan) regions while dining at local restaurants and trying street food!

1.Gannen - Seafood Restaurant

“While visiting Hokkaido, I stopped at the fish market in Sapporo. The Nijo fish market is small, but popular because the area is known for its seafood. I went to a restaurant named Gannen and loved the scallop donburi seafood bowl! The bowl had soup and sweet egg omelets which was delicious! The owner was cool too! He was bald and had a cat, they’re both in the restaurant logo. The restaurant closes at 2pm because the fish would go bad after that time.”

2.Bao Bun Shop - 目黒五十番 三軒茶屋店

“There is an amazing Bao Bun place near Temple’s Tokyo Campus that I loved going to! The owner is a very sweet older woman who has such a nice and welcoming smile. I liked the kimchi and veggie buns; the kimchi bun is so good and is packed with so much flavor! The buns are really big, so they filled me up.”

3.Ten - Omakase Restaurant

“Omakase is such a unique experience. It’s a style of sushi that is more refined than conveyor belt sushi or sushi you would buy from the store. It is 20 courses of sushi based on the chief’s choice. There were 10 people at the bar when I went, so it is more private feel. My favorite sushi served was the bluefin tuna because it was out of my comfort zone. The experience is more on the expensive side because it was around $70 per person, but it was still a great experience!”

4.Okonomiyaki Restaurant

“I visited Kyoto with some friends during break, and we found this Okonomiyaki place near the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple. I love yakisoba, and I loved getting the authentic experience at the restaurant. The mayo and yakisoba seasoning are so good! I also enjoyed the okonomiyaki there.”

5.Kōseidō - Confectionary Shop

“There’s an amazing bakery across from my share house that I love! I got something from there basically every single day. It’s convenient and its super cheap. I tried the dorayaki, and the peach and strawberry Daifuku. The peach Daifuku was my favorite!”

So, if you're in Japan, make sure to explore the different cuisines available. Let your curiosity guide you beyond the familiar sushi rolls and ramen bowls. Try something new, ask locals for their favorites, and savor the unexpected. Because in Japan, food isn’t just nourishment—it’s an invitation to connect, explore, and celebrate the culture in its most delicious form!