Chinese Food in Japan
On your next visit to
visit all of these Chinatowns. Japan has 3 major Chinatowns: The most iconic is in Yokohama which is very clean and lit up. Nagasaki and Kobe are not that well known outside of Japan but have been around for generations.
Why not only eat Japanese food in Japan?
Many tourists consider Japanese food to be too salty and high in carbs.
Salty Dishes:
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Yakitori
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Ramen
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Deep fried chicken
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Soy sauce ( condiments)
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miso soup
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Salted and pickled dishes
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Tempura
The list continues…
Chinese & Korean Dishes will definitely be less salty and healthier than a lot of the local cuisine. You’ll have more vegetable options and more variety on the menu, less rice. A typical Chinese menu will have dozens of dishes to choose from; most of them are diverse in flavor and texture. Many are aged dishes that stand alone.
Since the early days, immigrants from China have been settling in Japan since long before Mathew Perry and his Black ships had arrived. Many were highly skilled artisans and chefs even some from the royal courts of Puyi, the last emperor of China. The culinary footprint in Japan is huge and almost anywhere you eat Chinese food is going to be absolutely delicious.
Here is an amazing write up on Yokohama Chinatown by @damarinz_yuli
The Port of Yokohama was partially opened up for trade even before the Emperor of Japan even knew of it. Merchants and bankers set up communities and established their livelihood and brought with them their home cooking. Some travelers, myself included, think that Chinese food in Japan tastes better than on the mainland of China.
