FOOD
Vegetarian in Japan? Watch Out for the Fish Stock
While Japanese cuisine might seem vegetarian-friendly on the surface, one of its most common seasonings is fish-based and hard to spot.
food
FOOD
FOOD
Shake (鮭) vs. Salmon (サーモン): How Norwegian Salmon Became a Sushi Staple in Japan
Curious why there are two names for salmon in Japanese? There's an interesting historical (and scientific!) reason behind that.
FOOD
“You’re a Woman, So Use Chopsticks”: The Yakitori Fight Over How Women Eat
A woman says her boyfriend seemed poised to break up with her for the way she ate yakitori. Does Japan really have…
FOOD
Is That Izakaya a Trap? Japanese Eaters Say Watch Out for These Warning Signs
What you need to know to avoid the typical izakaya traps: all about touting, snuck-in fees, and fishy business practices.
FOOD
Shime-Parfait: The Sweet Way Japan Winds Down a Night Out
Learn all about the branding of shime-parfait and how a tradition of an after-drink sweet in Sapporo spread across the country.
FOOD
Why Female Yakitori Chefs Are So Rare in Japan
Why are there so few female yakitori chefs? The story behind what keeps women out, and three female chefs defying the odds.
FOOD
Ōsawa Takamasa’s Tokyo Restaurant Only Serves Biryani. It’s Earned Him Michelin Praise
Inside Biriyani Osawa: a tiny, reservation-only Tokyo spot serving one pot of biryani per seating, praised in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026.
TRAVEL
The Tokyo Neighborhoods With Japan’s Most Acclaimed Restaurants, According to Its Harshest Reviewers
Which Tokyo neighborhoods really have the best food? Tabelog scores from 794 restaurants reveal surprising winners and losers across the city.