7 Winter Foods to Try in Japan

It is definitely a win to be able to warm your body up while enjoying a delicious meal. In this article, GoEMON will introduce you to some of the best seasonal dishes that you definitely should try this winter! 

1. Oden

Oden is probably one of the most common and famous winter foods in Japan. It is a type of nabemono (Japanese one-pot dish), where several ingredients are stewed in a pot of a light, soy-flavored dashi broth. You can put whatever ingredients you like in Oden, but some traditional choices include boiled eggs, daikon (Japanese radish), konjac, and fishcake. Daikon is probably the most important ingredient as it gives the broth an additional sweet and deep flavor. 

If you were to ask Japanese people about what they think the star of Oden is, most probably would say that it is the broth; and rightfully so, as it is the broth that ties all the ingredients together and creates a satisfying, comforting, and warming taste. Depending on the region, the broth would also differ slightly.

2. Yudofu - Hot water tofu 

Yudofu, which translates to hot water tofu, is a tofu-based dish that is popular in Kyoto, Japan. This is one of the most simple Japanese dishes where the tofu is heated in hot water with some kombu seaweed and served with some dipping sauces and scallions. The dish’s simplicity enables diners to fully enjoy the tofu’s original creamy and clean taste and soft texture. 

3. Ozoni

Ozoni is a traditional Japanese traditional soup featuring mochi as the star ingredient along with vegetables and proteins like meat or seafood. The dish is one of the most iconic dishes of Osechi Ryori ceremonial foods and thus traditionally enjoyed for breakfast on New Year’s Day in Japan. The preparation and taste of Ozoni varies by household and region, so you can be flexible and try the combination of different types of ingredients. However, generally, it is divided into two types: the Kanto style and the Kansai style. 

Kanto-style Ozoni features a clear miso soup flavored with bonito-based dashi and soy sauce, a piece of rectangular-shaped mochi that will be grilled before added to the soup, commonly eaten with other ingredients such as chicken, fish cakes, dried shiitake, carrot, and leafy vegetables. The Kansai region’s version differs slightly. The soup is made from a combination of white miso and kombu base dashi soup. A round piece of mochi will be boiled in water first before being added to the soup along with Kyoto-specific ingredients such as taro root, daikon, carrot, and young greens.

4. Ramen

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, one dish that we cannot fail to mention is ramen. This noodle dish is commonly enjoyed in every region of Japan and nearly every region would have its own variation of ramen. It consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a broth and topped with a variety of different toppings, such as half-boiled eggs, scallions, seaweed, sliced pork, bamboo shoots, etc. For sure, during winter, nothing beats a steaming hot bowl of ramen filled with toppings after a long day at work!

5. Nabemono

Nabmono is another famous Japanese one-pot dish that is often eaten during the winter. Nabe refers to a cooking pot and mono means things or stuff. The concept of nabemono is really simple, which is to take a mixture of fresh vegetables, meat, seafood, tofu, soybean products, or whatever is it that you like and simmer everything in a big pot of simmering soup broth. The dish is perfect to be eaten with your families and friends on a cold winter day!

6. Baked Sweet Potato

Baked sweet potato is another extremely famous snack often enjoyed in the cold weather of autumn and winter in Japan. This delicious treat is sold everywhere in Japan, such as in supermarkets, convenience stores, and Don Quixote. The baked sweet potatoes have a rich, creamy, and smooth texture and are also incredibly light and fluffy and immediately melt in your mouth. They also taste absolutely amazing: sweet, nutty, and slightly caramelized. 

7. Steamed Pork Bun

Steamed pork buns, or Nikuman in Japanese, is another snack well-loved by generations of Japanese people. It is generally filled with a mixture of juicy ground pork minced shiitake mushroom and cabbage. Just like baked sweet potatoes, you can find nikuman everywhere during the winter, from supermarkets, and convenience stores, to Don Quixote. A hot and fluffy bun fresh out of the steamer basket is sure to warm up your hands, body, heart, and soul during this cold winter! 

Above was GoEMON’s recommendation of 7 winter foods that you definitely should not miss out on in Japan. Which dishes have you tried? Let us know in the comments below! 

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