Top 10 delicious dishes not to be missed when traveling to Japan in the fall

If Japanese spring is loved for cherry blossoms, then autumn is remembered forever for its cuisine . This is the time when nature bestows the most delicious products of the year. When red leaves dye Kyoto, Hokkaido or Tokyo, the Japanese dining table is also bustling with typical autumn flavors.

1. Salt-grilled Sanma – Autumn Saury

Grilled Sanma fish with salt – A symbolic dish of autumn in Japan. (Photo: Collected)

In autumn, Sanma fish ( Pacific saury) reaches its ideal fattiness. The Japanese simply marinate it lightly with salt and grill it, served with grated radish and lemon to complete the flavor. Sanma fish represents Japanese autumn cuisine – simple yet sophisticated, respecting the original flavor.

2. Red leaf shaped wagashi

Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets whose shapes change with the seasons. In autumn, they are shaped like maple leaves, ripe persimmons or chestnuts, creating an elegant look. The filling is usually red bean, white bean or mashed chestnuts. Wagashi is not only a dish but also a Japanese art of living, an indispensable part of Japanese autumn cuisine.

3. Grilled Matsutake Mushrooms – “King of Mushrooms” in Japanese Cuisine

Grilled Matsutake mushrooms give off a fragrant steam. (Photo: Collected)

Matsutake is a rare mushroom that only grows in early autumn, and is known as the “Japanese truffle”. The Japanese often grill it whole or cook it with rice (matsutake gohan) to preserve its light aroma. This dish is not only delicious but also reflects the spirit of honoring nature in Japanese autumn cuisine .

4. Yakiimo – Traditional baked sweet potato

Whenever the weather turns chilly, the "yakiimo" sound of grilled sweet potato carts rolling through the streets is what reminds Japanese people of autumn. The sweet potatoes are slowly roasted on hot stones, giving them a rich, sweet, and soft taste. A simple dish, but it carries deep childhood memories and the essence of Japanese autumn.

5. Kabocha – Japanese pumpkin tempura

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Crispy golden kabocha tempura with tsuyu dipping sauce – The essence of Japanese autumn cuisine. (Photo: Collected)

Japanese pumpkin (kabocha) has orange flesh, sweet taste and is very popular in autumn. Most commonly kabocha is fried in crispy tempura or cooked in warm miso soup. This is a rustic dish but very popular in family meals during the fall foliage season.

6. Kiritanpo Nabe – Akita Grilled Rice Hot Pot

Kiritanpo is a cold season specialty of Akita Prefecture, with grilled rice skewers served with a sweet chicken broth, mushrooms and autumn vegetables. Japanese hot pot is not fussy about spices, but brings a cozy feeling, which is always emphasized in autumn Japanese cuisine.

7. Kuri Yaki – Roasted chestnuts on the roadside

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Hot roasted chestnuts dispel the autumn cold. (Photo: Collected)

On the streets of ancient Kyoto or Asakusa, you will come across carts selling fragrant roasted chestnuts. Japanese chestnuts have a rich sweetness, thin skin that is easy to peel, and are very popular in the fall. This is one of the dishes that cannot be missed when traveling to Japan , especially when you walk around the streets in the cold weather.

8. Hot Soba with Autumn Vegetables

Soba (buckwheat noodles) when eaten hot with mushrooms and seasonal vegetables becomes especially attractive in autumn. This dish is often served in a small, warm restaurant and is a favorite choice of the locals. Simple but full of "heartwarming" feeling in the cool weather, true to Japanese autumn cuisine.

9. Kaisen-don – Autumn fresh seafood rice bowl

Colorful kaisen-don rice bowl with salmon, sea urchin, fish eggs and seaweed. (Photo: Collected)

Autumn is also the season for catching many kinds of seafood such as salmon, crab, squid... Seafood markets such as Toyosu (Tokyo) or Otaru (Hokkaido) are always bustling with bowls of kaisen-don - white rice covered with raw seafood. The freshness of the ingredients makes this dish always on the list of indispensable Japanese autumn delicacies.

10. Chestnut Mochi – Autumn Dessert

Finally, we cannot forget about chestnut mochi – a soft and chewy cake with a sweet chestnut filling. This dish often appears in autumn gift boxes or traditional bakeries. This is one of the dishes that cannot be missed when traveling to Japan, especially for those who love delicate sweets.

Autumn in Japan is not only beautiful in its scenery but also rich in flavor. Delicious Japanese autumn dishes are not only a culinary experience, but also a gateway to better understand the spirit and culture of this place. If you are planning to travel to the land of the rising sun, do not just admire the red leaves, try the dishes that cannot be missed when traveling to Japan. Because autumn in Japan is not only to admire, but also to enjoy, to remember and to love!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/mon-ngon-nhat-ban-mua-thu-v17438.aspx