25 Best Japanese Foods Foreign Tourists Loved Most in Japan
- Patia
- Feb 24
- 5 min read
What kinds of Japanese food leave the strongest impression on international visitors?
On March 13, 2025, a popular Japanese TV program,
“Hayashi Osamu no Ima Shiritai desho”, aired a special feature titled:
“845 Foreign Visitors Were Asked: The 25 Most Impressive Japanese Foods of All Time.”
This ranking was created based on real feedback from 845 international tourists who actually visited Japan.
Rather than focusing on foods that are simply famous or well-known, the list highlights dishes that travelers genuinely found memorable and emotionally moving after tasting them.
That is what makes this ranking especially valuable.
It reflects real experiences—foods that surprised, delighted, and stayed in people’s hearts long after their trip.
For anyone planning a trip to Japan, rankings based on real traveler experiences offer highly reliable guidance. They help answer important questions such as:
What should I definitely eat in Japan?
Which Japanese food experiences are truly unmissable?
In this article, we will introduce:
The Top 25 Japanese foods most loved by international visitors
Cooking classes where you can not only eat these popular dishes, but actually experience making them yourself
If you want to go beyond sightseeing and enjoy Japan through its food culture, this guide is the perfect place to start.
Table of Contents
Top 25 Japanese Foods Loved by Foreign Tourists
Let’s start by looking at the Top 25 Japanese foods that foreign tourists found most impressive during their visit to Japan.
This ranking is based on real experiences shared by 845 international visitors who actually traveled to Japan. It offers a helpful guide for anyone wondering which Japanese dishes are truly worth trying while in the country.
Source: TV Asahi
“Hayashi Osamu no Ima Shiritai desho” Aired on March 13, 2025
“845 Foreign Visitors Were Asked: The Most Impressive Japanese Foods – Best 25”
Ranking: Best 25 Japanese Foods
Sushi
Ramen
Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ)
Tempura
Udon
Japanese Curry Rice
Tonkatsu (Breaded Pork Cutlet)
Soba
Okonomiyaki (Savory Pancake)
Unagi (Grilled Eel)
Gyudon (Beef Bowl)
Sukiyaki
Takoyaki
Gyoza (Dumplings)
Shabu-shabu
Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Onigiri (Rice Balls)
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Japanese-style Hamburg Steak
Crab
Oden
Natto (Fermented Soybeans)
Yakisoba
Omurice (Omelet Rice)
Miso Soup
What This Ranking Tells Us
As you might expect, internationally well-known Japanese foods such as sushi, ramen, tempura, and udon rank very high.
At the same time, the list also includes everyday Japanese foods like onigiri, miso soup, and natto—dishes that are deeply rooted in daily Japanese life. This shows that many foreign visitors are not only interested in famous restaurant dishes, but are also curious about the everyday food culture of Japan.
These foods are not reserved for special occasions. They are meals that Japanese people enjoy regularly, making them true representatives of Japan’s food culture.
In other words, this ranking suggests that many international travelers are drawn not just to Japanese cuisine itself, but to the way food is woven into everyday life in Japan.
From “Eating” to “Making”: How Japanese Food Experiences Are Evolving
In the TV program, the ranking was not the only focus. Viewers were also introduced to foreign visitors who went a step further—from eating Japanese food to actually making it themselves.
The show featured hands-on experiences such as making handmade udon noodles from scratch, as well as international guests who dream of opening their own ramen shops overseas and are now attending ramen schools in Japan to learn authentic techniques.
These stories clearly reflect a growing trend in inbound tourism.
For many travelers today, simply tasting Japanese food is no longer enough.
They want to know:
How is this dish made?
What techniques create this flavor?
What makes Japanese food truly authentic?
Because of this shift in mindset, cooking experiences themselves are becoming a main purpose of visiting Japan—not just an optional activity.
Japanese food is no longer something to only enjoy at a restaurant table.
It is becoming a cultural experience that travelers want to touch, learn, and take home with them.
Where You Can Experience Japan’s Top-Ranked Dishes
At Patia’s Japanese Cooking Class, visitors can experience many of the Japanese dishes that ranked highly in this list—including sushi, ramen, and gyoza, all of which are beloved staples of everyday Japanese cuisine.
These classes are designed specifically for international visitors, making each step easy to understand and highly practical, even for those with little or no cooking experience.
Rather than simply enjoying a finished dish at a restaurant, participants in Patia’s cooking classes can learn:
How to choose the right ingredients
Unique Japanese cooking techniques and processes
Practical tips that allow you to recreate the dishes at home after your trip
By actively cooking with your own hands, you gain a much deeper understanding of why Japanese food tastes the way it does.
For travelers who want an experience that can only be had in Japan, or who wish to take home more than just photos and souvenirs—but also skills and knowledge—Japanese cooking classes offer a meaningful way to connect with Japan’s food culture and everyday life.
It is an experience that adds depth to your journey and turns a memorable trip into something truly special.
For detailed information about each class, including locations, schedules, duration, and pricing, please visit the official Patia’s Japanese Cooking Class website.
If you are looking for a unique and hands-on food experience during your trip to Japan, we invite you to take a look.
The True Appeal of Japanese Food: Completing the Experience by Making It Yourself
The popular Japanese TV program “Hayashi Osamu no Ima Shiritai desho” featured a special ranking titled
“845 Foreign Visitors Were Asked: The Most Impressive Japanese Foods – Best 25.”
Through this ranking, it becomes clear which Japanese dishes truly moved international travelers during their time in Japan.
Alongside world-famous dishes such as sushi and ramen, many foods deeply rooted in everyday Japanese life—like curry rice, onigiri, and miso soup—also ranked highly.
This shows that interest in Japanese cuisine goes beyond simply wanting to try well-known foods. More and more visitors want to connect with Japanese daily life and food culture itself.
Because of this shift, Japanese food experiences have been evolving in recent years.
What was once mainly about eating finished dishes at restaurants is now expanding into something deeper:
making the food yourself, and learning the culture, ideas, and traditions behind it.
At Patia’s Japanese Cooking Class, international visitors can experience top-ranked Japanese dishes such as sushi, ramen, and gyoza in a way that is both easy to understand and highly practical.
Rather than ending your trip with only thoughts of “That was delicious” or “That was fun,”
learning to cook Japanese food allows you to take home a uniquely Japanese experience—one that stays with you long after your journey ends.
For travelers who want their visit to Japan to become a truly meaningful memory,
learning Japanese cuisine by making it yourself is a wonderful way to enrich your trip and connect more deeply with Japan.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or want to learn more about our cooking classes, feel free to get in touch! We’re here to help you create unforgettable culinary experiences during your stay in Japan.
