Assorted Japanese food
Japan – a culinary paradise. From sushi to ramen, tempura to yakitori, Japanese cuisine has become popular all around the world. Where’s the best place to try the most authentic Japanese food, from your favorite dishes to ones you may have never heard of before? Japan, of course!
KU offers several study abroad programs in Japan, including our semester exchange with J. F. Oberlin University in Tokyo. Be sure to stop by the Study Abroad Info Center in 105 Lippincott if you whet your appetite and want to study in Japan next year!
Sushi – yum!
Sushi is one of Japan’s most famous food exports, becoming popular all around the world. There are several different types of sushi but this dish is generally prepared in a roll with rice, raw seafood, and vegetables served with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. Sashimi is a similar dish that consists of raw seafood served without rice.
Japanese ramen
Authentic Japanese ramen is a far cry from the American version college students are most familiar with. This dish consists of wheat noodles served in a broth and can include several toppings like vegetables, pork, and dried seaweed. Almost every region of Japan has its own variety of ramen, so be sure to try them all during your time abroad!
Okinawan soba
Soba is the Japanese name for buckwheat and refers to a noodle dish made from this plant. It can be served either chilled with a dipping sauce or hot in a noodle soup. Soba is a popular fast food in Japan, so look for it on your train ride to class.
Udon noodles
Udon noodles are usually served in a hot broth and are normally topped with sliced scallions and meat. Like ramen, this dish varies by region so be sure to try a new variety when you travel across Japan on the weekends.
Chicken yakitori
Yakitori is a common Japanese dish and refers to grilled chicken. It is commonly served in small restaurants called yakitori-ya that are popular gathering places for students and young pe0ple on their way home from work.
Tonkatsu with sides
Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish that consists of a breaded, deep fried pork cutlet. It is often served with shredded cabbage and can be eaten as a sandwich filling.
Vegetable and prawn tempura
Tempura is a dish that consists of vegetables and/or seafood that has been breaded and deep fried. Tempura is made with a lighter batter than tonkatsu and is commonly eaten with tentsuyu sauce.
Shabu shabu beef
Shabu shabu is a unique Japanese dish that is made from thinly sliced beef boiled in water. The name of this dish refers to the sound emitted when the ingredients are stirred in the cooking pot. Similar to sukiyaki, shabu shabu is a savory meal served with dipping sauces.
For more information on Japanese cuisine, visit these websites: