From June 4th, many parts of Japan got visited by the rainy season, which will last for more than one month. The probability of rain on a given day is about 50%, which means that you may face a rainy day every couple of days. But don’t let the rain get you down, the following foods will help you to survive the rainy season in Japan.
Survive the Rainy Season in Japan with These Comfort Foods
Here are some classic Japanese comfort foods to get you through tsuyu season in Japan.
- Tendon (Tempura Donburi)
- Ramen
- Oden
- Shabu Shabu
- Yakiniku
1. Tendon (Tempura Donburi)
Tendon (tempura donburi) consists of crisp tempura laid over freshly steamed rice and topped with a light soy-based dressing. In a tendon, you can enjoy a mix of both vegetables and seafood at once. Good tempura should have a crispy outer layer and juicy center. The crunchy outer layer locks in the essence of the ingredients inside. Hearty and filling, tendon will provide you with enough energy to survive the rest of the rainy season in Japan.
2. Ramen
Ramen is one of the most popular Japanese dishes and it is especially satisfying on a rainy day. Hot soup can save you from a wet, gloomy day. In addition, ramen is served very quickly. Nothing is better than an instant hot meal to rescue you from the chilly, dreary weather of the rainy season in Japan. Plus you can find ramen anywhere in Japan, so it might be the most convenient choice.
Popping into a ramen store and having a bowl of ramen won’t interrupt your sightseeing plan, but it still allows you to recover from the rain. Perhaps you'll want to stop by the underground Tokyo Ramen Street in Tokyo Station, home to 8 highly-celebrated ramen restaurants. Check out our overview of all the Tokyo Ramen Street shops.
3. Oden
Steaming hot, tasty food is the best weapon to keep you warm during the rainy season in Japan. Shopkeepers add miso or yuzu paste to customize the taste, and they may also serve you with slightly spicy yellow mustard called karashi. You can take your pick of oden ingredients right there in front of the pot and get your food the next second. From tofu to sausage, you never need to worry about not having enough choices.
4. Shabu Shabu
Shabu-shabu is a hot pot dish consisting of thinly sliced meat and veggies in steaming hot dashi broth. Because of the mild flavor of the paste, you can enjoy the freshness of the ingredients. Cooking the meat yourself is an interesting and novel experience, the perfect indoor activity for groups! Afterward, how about spending some time indoors browsing for some Japanese ceramics in cozy utsuwu shops to escape the downpour outside? We've got you covered in 4 Utsuwa Shops in Tokyo.
5. Yakiniku
Yakiniku is the Japanese term for grilled meat or barbeque. Instead of putting sauce on the meat, you are supposed to dip the meat in the sauce after grilling it. You can also make the choice of not dipping it, so you can enjoy the natural flavors of the meat. While you grill the meat, the firewood will also warm you up and dry your clothes.
Feeling hungry? Browse food experiences in Japan or check out our YouTube channel for Japanese food and travel inspiration.
