I just got back from an amazing graduation trip to Japan – a destination that has been on my bucket list for years. One of the highlights of the trip was the food! From street snacks to unique drinks and unforgettable dining experiences, here are some of my favorites, broken down by category:
Best Drink
Melon Soda
I tried melon soda both with and without ice cream. I preferred it with ice cream. The melon soda was very fizzy. It was more fizzy than other sodas that I have had in the US. The ice cream on top made it a refreshing summer drink.
Best Street Food
Candied Strawberries
I tried this at Asakusa in Tokyo. There were three strawberries on a skewer that were double-coated in sugar. I got to roll the strawberries in sugar when I bought them. The outer crunch paired with the juicy fruit made for an amazing bite. I loved the crunch when I bit into it.
Best lunches
Conveyor Belt Sushi
Conveyor Belt Sushi was both tasty and fun. All of the sushi goes around the restaurant on a conveyor belt. You can take the sushi that you want off the conveyor belt, and then you are charged by plate at the end.
Chicken Katsu
Chicken Katsu is breaded and fried chicken with a citrus sauce on top. I liked how crispy the chicken was. The sauce on top added a bright and flavorful kick.
Best Breakfast Food
Miso Soup
In Japan, people eat Miso Soup for breakfast. Two of the hotels that we stayed at had miso soup, and we could add our toppings to it.
Best Sweet Treats
Strawberry Milk Bar
A strawberry milk bar is a creamy strawberry popsicle with mochi in it. I liked it a lot. It was the perfect treat for a hot summer day. I loved the mochi in it.
Kakigōri
Kakigōri is Japanese shaved ice. It is softer and more creamy than Hawaiian shaved ice. It was a refreshing treat for a summer day.
Best Dining Experiences
Shabu Shabu
I love Shabu Shabu in the US, and Japan was no different. At Shabu Shabu, you get to cook the food yourself.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese cabbage pancake. Okonomiyaki in English means as you like. This means that you can customise the pancakes with toppings and mix-ins. I got beef and cheese mixed in and topped with sauce. We were also sitting where we could see the chef making our food, which made the experience more fun.
Overall Best Food
Sukiyaki
This was my favorite food that we had on this trip. Yakitori is similar to shabu shabu but with a sweeter sauce. The server cooked it for us instead of us doing it ourselves. It was delicious and a fun experience.
