Japanese isn’t a commonly ordered takeaway in the UK for many households yet, the food that you can get from a Japanese restaurant is incredible. When lots of people think of this cuisine, they automatically think of sushi and this is what puts them off but the truth is that Japan has an amazing, unique and varied cuisine that goes beyond just fish.
If you’re searching for a new cuisine to try then ChefOnline has put together a list of amazing Japanese dishes that are perfect for anyone who doesn’t like sushi. Exploring what this cuisine has to offer will open your mind and it isn’t uncommon for people trying Japanese for the first time to find their new favourite takeaway.
Ramen
This is probably one of the most well-known dishes after sushi. Ramen is a wheat noodle soup bowl topped with a range of different ingredients. You can expect to see things such as green onion, slices of pork, egg on top of the soup. The soup itself has a very unique flavour, it is usually made of chicken broth but can contain other meats depending on the chef.
Tempura
This dish is more of a snack than a meal but should still be on your order. It is made from seafood and vegetables that have been battered, deep-fried and seasoned with a delicious sauce. You may have even had tempura before, most people will have tried tempura prawns, without realising it is a part of Japanese cuisine.
Okonomiyaki
Think of this dish as a savoury Japanese version of a pancake. It is an incredibly versatile dish and can be made with almost any toppings/additional ingredients. Some of the most commons ingredients include green onion, shrimp, beef, vegetables, squid and cheese. There is nothing not to like about this dish, it is a must-try.
Miso Soup
This is an incredibly popular side dish which is loved by the Japanese. It is a broth soup that is usually prepared with soy, tofu, chives and sometimes other vegetables too. Traditionally it is served before the main course, so order it as a starter. You can pretty much guarantee that you will be able to find miso soup in any Japanese restaurant.
Katsudon
You may have had or heard of variations of this dish before and it is essentially a traditional katsu curry. Katsudon is a main dish consisting of a bowl of rice covered with breaded pork chop, egg and other ingredients. It is a great dish to try if you’re unsure as to whether you will like the intense flavours of some Japanese food.
Soba
This is a type of noodle that is made with buckwheat flour, which makes them grey/brown in colour. These noodles are roughly as thick as spaghetti and they are very versatile. You will find then in various hot and cold dishes with and without soup. They are often served with tempura to make a complete meal.
Gyoza
This snack/side dish is originally Chinese but has become very popular all over Japan. You may have heard of them referred to previously as ‘dumplings’. These steamed dumplings have lots of different types of fillings and are commonly found with things like pork, beef, chicken, vegetables and beans.
Ordering a Japanese for the first time
Thankfully, you now know that you can book a table at or order a takeaway online from a Japanese restaurant even if you don’t like sushi. There are so many delicious main dishes available as well as a huge range of yummy starters and sides. You can easily order multiple different dishes and try a bit of everything to find your favourites.
Next time you want to order a takeaway online visit the ChefOnline website. They can provide you with all of your nearest fast food takeaway restaurants all in one place. From Japanese to Indian you can get any type of cuisine you fancy without having to browse multiple different websites to find what you’re looking for.
