Japanese cuisine is the dominant attraction for tourists. However, the street food culture in Japan is less prevalent compared to other Asian neighbors. In the evening it is easy to stumble upon rows of vendors selling sweet and savory dishes that are always fresh, appetizing and inexpensive.
Okonomiyaki.
This is nothing more than a fragrant pizza in the Japanese style, although some tourists call the dish a Japanese savory pancake. Then everything is fried and seasoned with mayonnaise, a special okonomiyaki sauce, chopped green onions, fish chips and lots of ginger pickles.
Yakisoba.
No Japanese festival is complete without the familiar hiss of yakisoba. Wheat noodles, pork, carrots, cabbage and onions are pan fried together, then sprinkled with benishogha, katsuobumi and aonori, garnished with Worcestershire sauce and Japanese mayonnaise, and sometimes topped with a fried egg.
A truly classic Japanese treat, yakitori is the equivalent of our chicken skewers, only in miniature and on bamboo skewers. Yakitori is made from all parts of a chicken, and if you’re up for it, you can try chicken butt and chicken skin (yes, that’s a thing) among other fancy cuts of meat. The most common seasoning is tare grill soy sauce and salt, but wasabi, umeboshi, and carp can also be found on yakitori stands.
Kushiyaki.
Kushiyaki is often confused with yakitori. However, they are similar only in the cooking process and bamboo sticks. Kushiyaki are the same small pieces, only made from beef, pork, fish or seafood. Usually, when kushiyaki is eaten in a restaurant, many different types of skewers are ordered with a small amount of beer. But at a festival, you can order one or two and then move on to other delicious street food.
Banana in chocolate.
A little about sweets! This playful dessert-style street food features a peeled banana on a stick, topped with all sorts of chocolate options and garnished with rainbow sprinkles. It looks strange but delicious and is very popular at Japanese festivals, especially among children.
Kakigori.
It is ice chips with the addition of condensed milk, sweetener and flavored syrup with various flavors. Sure, the additions are simple, but they change the treat. Typical ice turns into a fluffy soft cloud.
Cotton candy.
Very popular with children, cotton candy found in Japan is not always similar to what you know from home. And it’s not just about taste. These buns were introduced to Japanese cuisine by Chinese immigrants and are translated as “Japanese-style Chinese cuisine”.
Frankfurt sausage on a stick.
Frankfurt, refers not to a German city on the main river, but to a sausage on a stick sold outdoors or at festivals. Sometimes the mustard is substituted for the Japanese equivalent, which makes the eyes watery.
Fried sausages.
Grilled sausages have American roots and are known worldwide as hot dogs. It is also a popular street food menu item in Tokyo, creating quite long queues. Japanese hot dogs are made using local hottokeki mikkusu baking mix and traditional bamboo skewers.
Yaki-imo.
For a taste of old world Japan, try yaki imo. Although more of an autumn or winter snack, yaki-imo can occasionally be found in other seasons as well. To find a yaki-imo vendor, follow the tempting scent of potatoes or the signature words “Yaki-imo, yaki-imo, yaki-imo!” that the vendors sing to entice passers-by.
The balls are cooked in special cast iron pans, turning over at a fast pace with the help of chopsticks.
Karaage.
The Japanese streets have mastered the art of frying chicken perfectly. Marinated in sake, soy sauce, garlic and mirin, chicken parts are deep-fried with a touch of cornstarch for a crispy taste. It’s street food, fast food style, taking off at Japanese festivals.
Curry bun.
The Japanese love to cook small savory buns with all sorts of fillings. One of them is the curry bun.
Tamagoyaki.
Tamogoyaki literally translates to fried egg and is essentially an omelet. But it’s not about our regular omelettes, oh no! Small rectangles with a golden crust on bamboo skewers certainly attract tourists.
Therefore, in the summer, cucumbers are planted on a stick and smeared with miso paste. It is eaten throughout the year, with unique sweet or savory variations prepared for special occasions.
Tomorokoshi.
Japanese corn is an extremely beloved summer street food.The corn is simply roasted over a fire and then smeared with mirin and soy sauces. The contrast between the sweetness of the mirin and the saltiness of the soy sauce gives the corn a special charm. It’s much healthier than other street food options and kids love it.
Pancakes.
The original French dessert made its way to Japan and adapted to Japanese tastes. The most delicious pancakes are sold in Tokyo and have various fillings: azuki bean, strawberry, green tea, banana, mochi, nutella, chocolate, whipped cream, fruit and even ice cream.
