Food
Where and how to eat in Japan: from the konbini to set-menu restaurants, without knowing Japanese.
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2 October 2026
Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu: Japan's autumn hot pots
How sukiyaki and shabu-shabu work, what makes them different, how to eat them, and where to find them. The seasonal dishes that mark the start of autumn in Japan.
By Yen & Zen
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30 September 2026
Japanese foods that surprise Western visitors
Shirako, horumon, umeboshi, uni: what catches travellers off guard in Japan. What they are, what they taste like, and whether they're worth trying.
By Yen & Zen
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28 September 2026
Natto: Japan's most polarising food
What natto is, what it tastes like, how to eat it, and why Japanese people have it for breakfast. A guide for trying it without an unpleasant surprise.
By Yen & Zen
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26 September 2026
Kaiten-zushi: how conveyor belt sushi works in Japan
How to eat at a kaiten-zushi restaurant in Japan: how to order, how to pay, what to eat, and which chains to visit. A meal you shouldn't skip.
By Yen & Zen
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22 September 2026
Japanese curry: what it is, types, and where to eat it
Japanese curry has nothing to do with Indian curry. It's thicker, sweeter, and everywhere. A complete guide: types, chains, regional variations, and how to order.
By Yen & Zen
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14 September 2026
Yakiniku: Japanese grilled meat explained
Practical guide to yakiniku: how it works, what to order, the difference between cuts, wagyu, horumon and how to go with children or a group.
By Yen & Zen
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10 September 2026
Udon and soba: Japan's essential noodle guide
Everything you need to know about udon and soba: the types, how to order them, where to find them, and how much they cost. Two dishes you shouldn't miss.
By Yen & Zen
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31 August 2026
Yakitori: the complete guide to Japanese chicken skewers
Everything about yakitori: what it is, the different cuts, the difference between tare and shio, how to order, what it costs and where to eat it in Japan.
By Yen & Zen
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11 August 2026
Sushi in Japan: types, how to order and what to expect
The difference between kaiten-zushi, counter sushi and omakase, what fish names mean, how wasabi and ginger actually work, and how to order without speaking Japanese.
By Yen & Zen
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5 August 2026
Ramen in Japan: a guide to styles, how to order and where to eat
The four main ramen styles (shio, shoyu, miso, tonkotsu), how the ticket machine works, what the toppings are called and which chains are worth trying.
By Yen & Zen
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20 June 2026
Kinoko no Yama Hokkaido Milk (Meiji): good, but expensive for what it is
Review of Meiji's Kinoko no Yama Hokkaido Milk special edition: taste, price, and whether it's worth buying as a souvenir from Japan.
By Yen & Zen
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17 June 2026
Eating in Japan without speaking Japanese: the practical guide
How to navigate Japanese restaurants without speaking the language: ticket vending machines, photo menus, plastic food displays, how to pay without incident, and the apps that actually help.
By Yen & Zen
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13 June 2026
Japanese convenience stores: what they're actually useful for (and what they're not)
A practical guide to Japanese konbini for travellers: the ATM that accepts foreign cards, sending luggage to your hotel, what food is worth buying, and what most tourists don't know they can do from the corner shop.
By Yen & Zen
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29 May 2026
Eating in Japan with kids: the family restaurant guide
Japanese family restaurants are a category that doesn't exist in most Western countries: chain restaurants with kids' menus, a toy included, tablet ordering and very reasonable prices. A guide from real experience with three children.
By Yen & Zen