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The Wonderful World of Japanese Street Food

Japanese summer festival food favorites

By Ai Faithy Perez |
September 7, 2024 |
Food & Drink

Summer is around the corner. I can feel it on my skin. The hot, heavy air; the gentle sizzle you feel on your shoulders when you step outside. If you’ve never experienced a summer in the concrete jungle, you’re in for a ride.

Japanese street food is a vibrant and essential part of the country’s culinary culture, offering an array of delicious and unique treats. During the summer months of June through September, Japan comes alive with natsumatsuri (夏祭り), or summer festivals, where street food takes center stage. In this enchanting atmosphere, the cool, reserved demeanor often seen in Tokyo melts away, replaced by a shared joy in the festivities and, of course, in enjoying Japanese street food.

As summer winds down, don’t worry—there are still plenty of places to enjoy Japanese street food beyond the festival season. In this article, we dive into the most common Japanese street foods and guide you on where to find the best street food in Tokyo.

Japanese Street Food Classics
Japanese Street Food Sweets
Internationally Influenced Street Foods
Where To Eat Japanese Street Food in Tokyo

Japanese Street Food Classics

Japanese street food vendors are known as Yatai and offer various traditional foods in Japan. Here are some savory classics:

Takoyaki (たこ焼き): Stodgy octopus balls (not testicles) topped with mayonnaise and sauce, similar to Worcestershire sauce.
Yakisoba (焼きそば): Stir-fried noodles with chopped cabbage, carrots and bean sprouts flavored with a Worcestershire-like sauce.
Ikayaki (いか焼き): Grilled whole squid, often served with a slice of lemon, mayonnaise and shichimi pepper.
Yakitoumorokoshi (焼きとうもろこし): Grilled sweet corn on the cob, typically brushed with soy sauce.
Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き): A savory pancake with sliced cabbage, bonito flakes and various toppings; the name literally means “cook to your choice.”
Ayu no Shioyaki (鮎の塩焼き): Sweetfish (ayu) salted on the tail and fins, then slow-cooked over a glowing charcoal barbecue.
Isobeyaki (磯辺焼き): Mochi (pounded rice cake) brushed with soy sauce and wrapped in dried seaweed.
Kushiyaki (串焼き): Anything grilled, baked or barbecued on a stick. Often meat, seafood, fish cake or a mix with vegetables.
Karaage (唐揚げ): Japanese-style fried chicken, often marinated in soy sauce and garlic.
Gyoza (餃子): Pan-fried dumplings filled with minced pork, cabbage and seasonings.
Nikuman (肉まん): Steamed buns filled with seasoned pork or other savory fillings.
Korokke (コロッケ): Japanese croquettes, often filled with mashed potatoes and minced meat, then breaded and fried.
Menchi Katsu (メンチカツ): A deep-fried breaded meat patty made from minced meat, often pork or beef and onions.
Kare Pan (カレーパン): A deep-fried bread filled with Japanese curry, offering a crispy exterior and a flavorful curry filling.

Japanese Street Food Sweets

These are the choices your kids will probably beg you for:

Kakigori (かき氷): Shaved ice topped with syrup flavors like strawberry, melon, lemon and the mysteriously named “blue Hawaii.” Perfect for cooling down in the summer heat.
Ringo Ame (りんご飴): Candied apples, also known as toffee apples. In recent years, vendors have expanded to include candied grapes, strawberries, pineapples and mikan (tangerines).
Wataame (綿あめ): Fluffy cotton candy or fairy floss, often packaged in bags designed with popular Japanese characters, is a top favorite among children at festivals.
Choco Banana (チョコバナナ): Bananas on a stick, dipped in chocolate and often coated with colorful sprinkles.
Anzu Ame (あんず飴): Canned fruits dipped in syrup, then chilled on ice. Served with an edible wafer plate, similar in texture to an ice cream cone.
Baby Castella (ベビーカステラ): Miniature versions of the traditional Japanese honey cake, often molded into fun shapes or characters, such as Doraemon.
Taiyaki (鯛焼き): Fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet fillings like red bean paste, custard or chocolate.
Dorayaki (どら焼き): Pancake-like patties filled with sweet red bean paste or other fillings like custard or whipped cream.
Oobanyaki (大判焼き) / Imagawayaki (今川焼き): A waffle-like cake with various fillings depending on the region.
Dango (団子): Skewered rice dumplings, often grilled and glazed with sweet soy sauce or topped with sweet red bean paste.
Yaki Imo (焼き芋): Roasted sweet potatoes with a caramelized sweetness.
Age Manju (揚げ饅頭): Deep-fried buns filled with sweet red bean paste, offering a crispy exterior and soft interior.

Internationally Influenced Street Foods

Furankufuruto (フランクフルト): or Frankfurt, refers not to the German city on the Main River but to the sausage on a stick, sold loaded with ketchup and mustard. Sometimes the mustard is replaced with karashi, the Japanese equivalent of mustard, except it has a surprisingly strong wasabi-like spiciness that will make your eyes water.
Amerikan doggu (アメリカンドッグ): or American dog, is commonly known around the world as a corn dog. In Japan the traditional cornmeal around the sausage is made with Hottokeki Mikkusu (hotcake mix), a popular pancake mix by Japanese confectionary company Morinaga.
Chi-zu doggu (チーズドッグ), or cheese dog, uses a similar batter to the American dog; this Korean-style corn dog often has cheese or other fillings, reflecting the Korean take on the classic American corn dog.
Furaidopoteto (フライドポテト): While not traditionally Japanese, fresh fries with unique Japanese seasonings like nori (seaweed) or curry powder are commonly found at street food stalls.
Tapioca (タピオカ): Known as bubble tea or boba, this Taiwanese-origin drink has become a trendy street food in Japan. It is often served with chewy tapioca pearls in various flavors but milk tea is the Japanese fan favorite.

Where To Eat Japanese Street Food in Tokyo

Summer Festivals

Tokyo and its surrounding areas host a multitude of summer festivals and fireworks from early July through September. Each festival features a unique array of street foods. If you are new to Tokyo and have no way of knowing where the summer festivals are, just listen for the music and follow the paper lanterns. Or, check out our list of must-see Japanese summer festivals and unique Japanese summer festivals.

Food & Shopping Streets

Popular tourist food and shopping spots like Tsukiji Outer Market, Asakusa Nakamise-dori, Harajuku Takeshita Street, Shibuya and Ameya Yokocho are well-known for their vibrant street food scenes. However, Tokyo also has slightly more unique shopping streets that offer classic and unique street food experiences. Check out this list of shopping streets for a taste of local Japan.

Convenience Stores

Japanese convenience stores are a treasure trove for street food enthusiasts, especially in their hot food sections. Here, you’ll find a variety of ready-to-eat Japanese street foods like kushiyaki, korokke and nikuman. While it might not be from a street stall, with convenience stores on almost every street in Japan, it’s practically street food at your fingertips!

Department Store Basements (Depachika)

Department store basements, or depachika, though not directly on the street, allow you to enjoy the flavors of Japanese street food with a touch of elegance. You can find classic treats such as takoyaki, korokke, kushiyaki and taiyaki, all presented with high-quality flair. Although the food sold in depachika is often sold for takeaway, some locations have a sitting area where people can enjoy the food immediately. You can always take the food out and find a park or public area to enjoy it too. Check out these Tokyo department store food emporiums.

Other Seasonal Events and Festivals

Seasonal events and festivals in Japan are filled with cultural traditions and delicious street food. Each season brings its own unique festivals, where street food stalls offer a wide range of treats that reflect the flavors and spirit of the time.

New Year’s Festivals: During the New Year, many temples and shrines host shōgatsu (New Year’s) events, where street food stalls provide warming snacks and sweets to celebrate the season.
Autumn Festivals: Although less focused on street food than summer festivals, autumn festivals still offer a variety of seasonal treats, celebrating the harvest season with special foods.

What Japanese Street food is your favorite?

This article has been updated with the latest information for 2024.