My Favorite Meals in Japan
My Favorite Meals in Japan
I found that many of my meals in Japan ranked among the best I have ever had. Not being a seafood person, most of my meals in Japan included either beef, pork, or chicken. The size portions of the meals in Japan are slightly smaller than in the United States. The small portions allowed me to eat two dinners often. Most meals cost between $8-$15 for food court style meals and $30-$50 for fancier restaurant meals. I had two meals of Kobe Beef, which averaged around $80.
Meals in Japan - Table of Contents
- Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables – Mall Near Central Station – Hiroshima
- Wagyu/Kobe Beef – Hitori Yakiniku
- McDonalds – Pork Burger Combo
- Cheeseburger and Potato Wedges – Tokyo Station
- Wagyu Roast Beef Sandwich – Hakone
- Prime US Steak with Pepper Sauce – Osaka
- Teriyaki Pork, Rice, and Vegetables – Osaka Central Station
- Wagyu Beef Meal #2 – Osaka
- Fried Chikcen Skewers – Kyoto
- Beef with Rice, Cabbage Salad, and a Pouched Egg – Mall Near Arashiyama Station
- Free Japanese Breakfast – Kyoto Hotel
- Vending Machines
- Japanese Food Tours
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Chicken, Rice, Green Peppers, and Onions
I had this meal at the mall near the central train station in Hiroshima. It was cooked right in front of me and included a cabbage salad with soy sauce, teriyaki chicken, grilled green peppers, grilled onions, and white rice.
There was a delicious ginger-flavored soy sauce to dip the green pepper and onions in.
This meal was served with a Coke and a glass of water.
The cost of this meal was ¥1100 ($10).
Wagyu/Kobe Beef-Hitori Yakiniku
I had been looking forward to eating Kobe Beef during my visit to Japan but was having a hard time decided which of the many restaurants to try. I came across a review of a restaurant called Hitori Yakiniku, which is geared toward solo diners. It would be difficult for a group to eat here as there is only counter seating.
Hitori Yakiniku features A5 (the highest quality) Wagyu Beef that can be ordered a la carte or through various sample platters. Not being familiar with the cuts of beef, I chose to order a sample platter. I went with the “meal for four.”
It arrived with a bowl of rice and a cube of fat to grease the grill. I greased my grill and began grilling.
The Kobe Beef was out of this world. I have never had better beef in my life. I tried it rare, and I tried it well done. Both were excellent.
The flames on the grill were around the edges, so I learned that if I started the steak on the sides, it would get a nice char. Then, I moved it to the middle to let it cook with indirect heat.
I enjoyed the Kobe Beef so much that I ordered another portion. This time I ordered the sampler platter for two.
I left smelling like grease and beef, having enjoyed one of the best meals of my entire life. This meal was one of my favorite meals in Japan.
The cost of this meal was ¥8500 ($77).
McDonalds Chicken Sandwich, Fries, and Double Cheeseburger
McDonalds Pork Burger Combo
I had McDonald’s at Tokyo Station one night. It was pretty late in the evening, and most of the restaurants were closed. The few that were still open were quite crowded.
The Japanese McDonalds chicken sandwich was excellent. It has a garlic sauce instead of mayo that was similar to the US McDonalds signature sauce. The fries tasted similar to fries in the US, as did the double cheeseburger. I upgraded the combo to large, although their large meal is identical to a medium meal in the US.
The cost of this meal was ¥990 ($9).
Later on, I had a Pork Burger combo. The Pork Burger included a pork patty with teriyaki sauce and a strip of Japanese Style Bacon. I decided that I had to try this as it is not found at Western McDonalds. It was pretty good, although it was a little salty. Although this was not one of my favorite meals in Japan, it was still fun to experience Japanese McDonalds.
The Pork Burger Combo cost ¥660 ($6).
Cheeseburger and Potato Wedges
After waking up a little late one morning, I decided to eat a quick lunch at Tokyo Station. Not wanting to have McDonald’s again, I found a sit-down burger restaurant that was not crowded.
I ordered a double cheeseburger with potato wedges and a bottle of water to drink.
This meal was the least favorite of my meals in Japan. The beef had a strange taste to it. It almost seemed as if it was full of some sort of filler. The texture was not that of a typical burger.
The potato wedges were delicious but not enough to make up for the terrible tasting cheeseburger.
The cost of this meal was ¥880 ($7)
Wagyu Roast Beef Sandwich
When I visited Hakone, it rained the entire time. I was stuck outside the train station and getting soaked, so I went into a small local restaurant. It was run by a husband and wife and only had three things on the menu. Two of them were some sort of ramen/egg/meat dishes, and the third was a roast beef sandwich. The best part was the beef was Wagyu beef.
I ordered the sandwich, and a cup of soup accompanied it. The husband prepared the sandwich so carefully. He freshly cut the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. He made sure that the three sauces (mayo, spicy mustard, and teriyaki) were spread in the exact right spots, and surprisingly he placed three almonds in the exact right places. It literally took him 15 minutes to make my sandwich. The sandwich with cold Wagyu beef was absolutely delicious. I could tell that this beef was not the quality of the meat I’d had in Tokyo, but it was still amazingly good. For randomly walking into a restaurant to get out of the rain, this turned out to be one of my better meals in Japan.
The cost of this meal was ¥2400 ($22).
Prime US Steak with Pepper Sauce
I had this meal in Osaka at a restaurant right near my hotel. The menu was only in Japanese, so I told the waiter, using Google Translate, that I wanted beef and didn’t want to spend more than ¥2000.
He told me, “Not Wagyu” and pointed to another customer’s plate. I nodded my head, “yes,” not entirely knowing what I was about to eat. I received a US-style steak, which I believe might have been a strip steak along with a peppery sauce. The steak was pretty good but not as tender as the other Japanese beef from my previous meals.
I was surprised when the bill came. This meal was a very reasonable ¥1490 ($13.50).
Teriyaki Pork, Rice, Green Peppers, and Onions
I enjoyed this restaurant at the Hiroshima Train Station so much that I was thrilled when I found the same restaurant at the Osaka Train Station. This time, instead of having chicken, I decided to go with pork.
Everything was similar except for the salad. This salad had had lettuce instead of cabbage, and a sort of tangy dressing, that I did not like as much as the soy sauce. The pork was slightly cheaper than the chicken. The cost of this meal was ¥990 ($9).
Wagyu Beef Meal #2
My final night in Japan was in Osaka. I had already eaten an early dinner but had some extra Yen that I was hoping to spend. I looked at a few souvenirs but did not find anything unusual. There is a giant mall next to Osaka Station, and the top-level has a food court. I walked around looking at the various shops and came across a Kobe Beef restaurant similar to the one I had eaten at in Tokyo.
The most significant difference was that this one had menus in English. I could now order the specific cuts of meat that I wanted.
I started with ribeye, sirloin, flap, and brisket.
For round two, I ordered strip, flank, and pork belly. I was surprised that the pork belly was as delicious as the Kobe Beef.
I once again cooked the beef on a grill on the table.
I was pleased when I received the bill. This meal only cost ¥5600 ($51).
Fried Chicken Skewers
I ate these chicken skewers a couple of times at Arashiyama Station in Kyoto. There was a street vendor who was selling them. The chicken skewers were a fine choice for a quick meal in Japan.
They were reasonably priced at ¥300 ($2.70) each.
Beef with Rice, Cabbage Salad, and a Pouched Egg
Looking at my meal choices, I am learning that I ate a lot of beef. I ate this meal near Arashiyama Station in Kyoto.
This small restaurant was located near my hotel in a touristy area. The beef was excellent as usual, but I did not care for the poached egg. It was cold, while the rice and beef were hot. I ate around it and finished everything except the egg.
Being in a touristy area, this meal was not that cheap. Including a Coke Zero is was ¥1900 ($17).
Free Japanese Style Breakfast
I was pretty excited when I found out that breakfast would be delivered to my room each morning at my hotel in Kyoto. The excitement did not last long as a Bento Box of cold rice, and unidentifiable foods were delivered to my room. It was mostly a mix of soy, tofu, and seafood.
It looked a lot better than it tasted. I felt terrible wasting most of it, but I did eat some of the rice and a few of the noodles.
Vending Machines
Japan has the best selection of vending machines I have ever seen. They are located everywhere including train stations, street corners, malls, and public bathrooms. When I was visiting the monkey park, in Kyoto, there was even a vending machine halfway up the hill that we climbed.
These vending machines took coins, ¥1000 notes ($9) and Suica. I purchased many bottles of Coke Zero for ¥160 ($1.45) and even more bottle of water for ¥120 ($1.10).
Japanese Food Tours
A food tour is a great way to experience many different types of food in a single evening. Below, I have linked food tours of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka that interested me. Please note, I am an affiliate of Viator. If you book one of these tours using my link, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
Tokyo Food Tours
 Tokyo by Night: Japanese Food Tour - $108.46 Savor some amazing Japanese dishes while experiencing local nightlife on this food tour in Tokyo. Delve into the city’s nighttime culinary scene on visits to several popular pubs and restaurants for local favorites such as grilled meat skewers, hot-plate dishes, sweet cakes and sake. All tastings and necessary public transport are included, and you’ll learn a ton about Japanese food and culture from your expert local guide. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people, ensuring a more personalized experience. |
 Tokyo - Japans Cultural Curiosities Private Tour Including Food Samplings - $88.30 No, we don’t have a time machine, but you might think we do once you step back into Tokyo’s past! On this private Tokyo tour, you’ll explore hidden shops that sell traditional items not commonly found in modern-day Japan. With your own local guide to show you around on this private experience, you'll sample old-world sweet and savoury snacks, learn about the art of incense, visit a seaweed seller, and see a side of the city frozen in time, far from the bright lights of downtown. |
 Kawaii Food Tour of Harajuku and Omotesando in Tokyo - $182.00 Come make some delicious memories in Tokyo’s mecca for youth culture, pop art and fashion, and the home of Japan’s cutest characters, goods, and yes even “cute food”! On this 3-hour, walking tour of Tokyo, let the guides show you around the back streets of Omotesando and Harajuku. Discover cultural snacks, cutting edge creative pastries, trendy sweets, and the craziest – cutest lunch imaginable. Our Kawaii Food Tour is great for families, cute-culture fans, foodies and especially those with a bit of a sweet tooth. |
Kyoto Food Tours
 Food and Culture Experience at the Nishiki Market and Gion in Kyoto - $100.00 Get an excellent introduction to the cuisine of Kyoto with this small-group guided tour of the city's best food spots. Start at the deliciously vast 400-year-old Nishiki Market, nicknamed 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' where over 130 food shops and stalls beckon your taste buds. Stroll through the market with the local guide, learning about the history of food in the city and taste many dishes unique to Kyoto, including tofu skin, pickled vegetables, special rice ball, deep fried fish cakes, Japanese pike conger eel, Japanese omelet and Sake. |
 Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Walking Food Tour - $110.00 This Day Experience takes you to an intriguing, fun and informative adventure with tasting unique street foods around Kyoto Arashiyama area known for Bamboo Forests & seasonal beauty of nature. |
Osaka Food Tours
 Deep Dive: Osaka Food Markets from Local to Luxurious! - $100.00 Ohhhh Tokyo, with your big corporate headquarters and massive mobs of people doing very important things. And then Kyoto, with your high culture, fancy temples, gardens, and refinement. Yay. But this is OSAKA, and -- how to put it nicely? -- we don't care about your charmed lives. We care about eating. |
 Evening Food and Drink Tour in Osaka - $110.00 Join us for a just slightly offbeat, fully all-inclusive night tour of Tenma and Kyobashi, two of Osaka's most well-known local food and drink areas! You'll get to eat typical Osaka food, have a few drinks, frolic with the locals, and have all sorts of fun along the way! Your guide will be a native English speaker with the fluent Japanese to take you deep into the local scene. This small group tour (6 guests or less -- and it usually is less), combines history with adventure, as you explore the nooks and crannies of these very old parts of this awesome city. You're sure to have a great time getting to know the REAL Osaka. |
 Evening Street Food Hopping Tour in Downtown Osaka - $143.73 Enjoy the best street food experience with a professional local guide on your private tour. Osaka, the city of merchants, is the place with the nickname “the kitchen of Japan” since it has long been the center of the rice exchange market and was the logistic hub during the Samurai age. The unique atmosphere and culinary culture of Osaka remains unchanged even today after around 300 years. In the evening, neon billboards light up every corner of the city. You will have a chance to experience this local way of life as you hop around the street food stands and restaurants. |
 Small-Group Guided Evening Food Tour of Osaka - $200.00 Feast your senses on Osaka — widely acknowledged as Japan’s culinary capital — on a 3-hour food tour, ideal for first-time visitors and fans of Japanese cuisine. In a small group limited to no more than 10, you’ll immerse yourself in bright and bustling Dotonbori, the city’s nightlife hub, where you’ll sample specialties such as sushi and sake. Plus, learn to prepare your own takoyaki (octopus balls) under the guidance of a chef. |
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