29 Japanese Street Foods
posted by John Spacey, June 15, 2009 updated on June 29, 2015
Each year Japan holds more than 100,000 festivals and events. One of the charming features of Japanese events is the traditional street food vendors that appear in great numbers offering both sweets and savory snacks. Most street food vendors, known as yatai in Japanese, follow an event circuit around Japan. While yatai can be found independently of events, its somewhat rare. Many Japanese cities don't have much street food at all. Exceptions do exist, for example the Nakasu district of Fukuoka is known for its street food.Most Japanese street food is based on old classics that have been around since the early 20th century or longer. In many cases, these foods aren't sold by regular restaurants. In other cases, the foods are available at restaurants but somehow taste different from street vendors. It's common for vendors to offer extremely salty, sweet and flavorful versions of snacks. Classic Japanese street foods include:
1. Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki are savory Japanese pancakes. They are traditionally prepared to use up leftovers at home. The matsuri version is usually packed with filling items such as thick cut bacon.
2. Watame
American carnival classics such as cotton candy (watame) and candy apples are matsuri favorites. Yatai cotton candy comes wrapped in a plastic bag decorated with jpop bands or popular cartoon characters.
3. Yaki Imo
Yaki Imo are baked sweet potatoes cooked over a wood fire. Yaki Imo trucks and carts fitted with wood stoves can be found all over the Japan. The trucks may drive around slowly repeating "yaki imo ... yaki imo ... yaki imo" on a loudspeaker. This is either annoying or charming depending on your outlook. Most people become nostalgic about them. They are an aspect of old Japan that's quickly fading into the past.
4. Crepes
It's difficult to imagine how many crepe shops there might be in Japan. Certainly over 10,000. Many are trucks or street stalls. Crepe shops are usually surrounded by high school girls seriously contemplating the vast menu.
5. Imagawayaki
Imagawayaki resemble a thick-pancake with a filling of red bean paste, custard, cheese, meat, potatoes or curry. They are known by more than 20 different names depending on region of Japan, type and brand name.
6. Nikuman
Nikuman is the Japanese name for Chinese Baozi dumplings filled with pork. 
7. Ikayaki
Grilled squid.
8. Bento
Japanese business districts attract bento yatai. They open for an hour or two at lunch on business days. The best of them sell out in 10 or 15 minutes.This is a tough business that depends on loyal customers. Tokyo office workers are thinking about lunch all morning. They're looking for something spectacularly tasty. There is intense competition for their business from restaurants, convenience stores and yatai. Word of mouth spreads. A bento yatai with a good reputation will enjoy a long line of customers each business day.
9. Onsen Tamago
Onsen tamago are eggs that have been cooked by a natural onsen hot spring. The slow cooking process gives the egg a texture like custard. It's typically served in dashi and soy sauce.
10. Jaga Bata
Baked potato with skin peeled topped with butter.
11. Tomorokoshi
Corn grilled with miso, butter and soy sauce on a stick.
12. Japanese Curry Rice
Japan is obsessed with mild curry similar to a spicy gravy. It's a staple of the Japanese diet. It's common to eat it twice a week.
13. Choco Banana
Banana coated in chocolate and sprinkles on a stick. 
14. Taiyaki
Fish shaped cakes filled with custard, chocolate or cheese. 
15. Ramen
Fukuoka is known for its many excellent ramen noodle yatai.
16. Takoyaki
Savory ball-shaped pancakes with octopus at the center topped with mayonnaise, ginger pickles and fermented fish flakes.
17. Yakisoba
Fried wheat noodles with pork in a thick, sweet sauce. 
18. Shioyaki
Baked fish, often mackerel, on a stick. Saltier than salt itself.
19. Bebi Kasutera
Kasutera is a Japanese sponge cake inspired by Portuguese Pao de Castela. Bebi Kasutera are the bite sized or "baby" version of this popular cake.
20. Oden
Oden is a winter dish of meats, fish and vegetable items stewed in a light broth for a very long time. Good for warming up on a cold night. Oden yatai are often surprisingly lively.
| Japanese Street Food is ranked | #15 of 31 Things To Do In Japan At Night |
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