Challenge your taste buds with Japan’s weird food combos!
Delicious sushi, fresh sashimi, and a warm bowl of ramen—these are Japanese food classics that we all know and love. Japan is filled with delicious dishes that we always crave for, but did you know that it is also home to some of the weirdest food combos?
On your next visit to the Land of the Rising Sun, why not step out of your comfort zone and try something new? Bring your taste buds on an adventure by trying out nine of the strangest Japanese food you’ll ever hear of:
- Tokyo Disneyland popcorn
- Odd-flavoured ice cream
- Crackers with bugs
- KitKat
- Yakisoba Pan
- Unagi Cola
- Chocolate potato chips
- Chocolate Ramen
- Wasabi Beer
1. Soy Sauce Butter Popcorn at Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland has other flavours, too! Credits to @afoodiediarybyamy
If you thought Tokyo Disneyland only serves your usual buttered popcorn, you’re in for a surprise. You’ll forget about your average popcorn when you try out the park’s quirky-flavoured snacks! You won’t believe the range of flavours they offer. Our favourites are the soy sauce butter and curry ones! These are sold in several locations inside Tokyo Disneyland, so keep your eyes peeled out for the snack carts.
2. Unique-flavoured ice cream
Ever wondered what raw horse meat tastes like?
You’ll definitely be screaming for this ice cream because Japan has the most incredible flavours. Start your ice cream adventure by trying out mildly odd flavours like wasabi, miso, and cheese. And, if you’re feeling a bit more courageous, go for the more intense ones like coal, Indian curry, beef tongue, and… wait for it… raw horse meat! You can find these at Namja Town’s Ice Cream Parlour in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
3. Biscuits with bugs
Try a wasp cracker at least once in your life!
Japanese food has more weird food combos for all the bold foodies out there. While in Nagano Prefecture, look for Jibachi Senbei or wasp crackers. It looks exactly like it sounds: it’s a rice cracker with wasps baked in them. The crackers may be an acquired taste, but these are also a treasure for those looking for a great source of protein!
4. Kit Kat
Gotta try all of the KitKat flavours in Japan! Credits to @kitkat_japan_official
Kit Kats may seem unharmful, but you must check out Japan’s vast array of Kit Kats! Japan has definitely stepped up their flavour game because aside from the original chocolate, they also have odd flavours like baked potato, french slate, wasabi, and cherry blossom! Kit Kat is widely available throughout Japan and can be found in both Haneda and Narita Airport.
5. Yakisoba Pan
These savoury sandwich is enough for a meal! Credits to @zino_0314
Another weird food combo in Japan comes in the shape of Yakisoba Pan or stir-fried noodle bread. It’s the ultimate sandwich for carb lovers and is fairly easy to make (should you crave one after your Japan trip!). This starch-on-starch pairing may seem too much, but every calorie is worth it.
6. Unagi Cola
Don’t miss out on the chance to try unagi cola. Credits to @nippon.shopper
Don’t miss out on the chance to try unagi cola. Credits to @nippon.shopper
Eel soda? Before you say no, we recommend adding it to your must-eat Japanese food list! Don’t worry; you won’t find bits of eel in your drink—the weird beverage is made with natural eel extract. This can be brought along highway rest stops in Shizuoka Prefecture and would be a great drink whenever you’re craving unagi and cola at the same time.
7. Chocolate potato chips
Munch on this sweet-and-salty bowl of goodness while on the go.
We’re all for pairing potato chips with cheese, sour cream, or ranch sauce, but have you ever heard of choco-covered potato chips? If you fancy sweet and salty flavour combos, head over to Takeshita Street at Harajuku for a bowl of these crisps! They even serve it with ice cream on the side. Yum!
8. Chocolate Ramen
Sink your teeth into choccy noodles! Credits to @kjycu
Ramen is quintessential Japanese food to have. If you consider yourself a brave foodie and are visiting Japan on Valentine’s Day, head over to ramen shops in Tokyo for a bowl of chocolate ramen! Selected ramen restaurants offer their own signature choccy ramen. Some have a “chocolate soup”, while some come with chocolate slabs as toppings.
9. Wasabi Beer
Freshen up with wasabi beer! @beerlove_cat
Sapporo beer, Suntory, Asahi—there are heaps of beers famous in Japan. Capping off our list of weird food combos in Japan is none other than Wasabi Beer. This beer tastes exactly like fizzy wasabi and will give your taste buds a spicy kick. Take a trip to the Daio Wasabi Farm in Nagano Prefecture to get your hands on this one-of-its-kind beverage.
Or, if you’d prefer to start your trip with a taste of Japan’s iconic drinks, join this Osaka Fruit Picking and Japanese Beer Tasting day tour at either the Asahi Breweries or the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum. You’ll even have the chance to pick and eat the freshest seasonal fruits in the peaceful Mount Shigi!
