Japan’s winter cuisine offers a comforting warmth that brings people together, with dishes like nabe and sukiyaki often enjoyed as a shared meal at the center of the table. Street-side favorites, such as oden and regional specialties like curry soup, provide hearty flavors that ward off the chill during the colder months. For a lighter yet soothing option, ochazuke embodies the comfort and simplicity of Japanese cooking. Here is your guide to the top Japanese foods to keep you warm this winter.
Nabe – Photo by: sekken57
Nabe
Nabe, a traditional Japanese hotpot, is a beloved winter dish where fresh ingredients like vegetables, tofu, and different meats are simmered together in a flavorful broth. Often cooked right at the table, it encourages a shared dining experience that feels warm and communal. With countless regional variations, nabe reflects the diversity of Japanese cuisine while remaining a symbol of comfort during the cold season.
Tokyo – Chanko Shibamatsu Nakameguro
Location: 3 Chome-12-19 Nakameguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0061, Japan
Phone: +81337123993
Website: http://dosukoi.tokyo/index_n.html
Osaka – Hakata-motsunabe Oyama
Location: Japan, 〒556-0011 Osaka, Naniwa Ward, Nanbanaka, 2 Chome−10−70 なんばパークス 6F
Phone: +81665866733
Website: https://www.motu-ooyama.com/shop/nanba/
Kyoto – Nikunabe Chiba
Location: 187 Zaimokucho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8017, Japan
Phone: +81752317518
Website: http://www.chiba-group.jp/nikunabe/
Beef Sukiyaki – Photo by: sasazawa
Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki has its roots in Japan’s farming communities, where it was originally enjoyed by field workers who cooked meat and leftover vegetables over a simple iron plow after a long day of labor. Today, it has evolved into a beloved winter hotpot, with thinly sliced beef simmered in a sweet soy-based broth with tofu and vegetables. Enjoyed and cooked at the table, each bite is often dipped into a raw beaten egg, creating a perfect balance of flavor.
Tokyo – Sukiyaki Matsukiya
Location: Japan, 〒150-0044 Tokyo, Shibuya, Maruyamacho, 6−8 松木家ビル
Phone: +815054894822
Website: https://gh28700.gorp.jp/
Osaka – Sukiyaki shabushabu daibokujyo
Location: Japan, 〒542-0076 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Namba, 3 Chome−4−16 ECS第32ビル 5F
Phone: +81665759655
Website: https://kahb207.gorp.jp/
Kyoto – Kyoto wagyu sukiyaki shabu-shabu tominojo gionhonten
Location: 161-1 Tokiwacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0079, Japan
Phone: +81757466648
Website: https://tominojo.com/
Soup Curry – Photo by: Kenta Nomura
Soup Curry
S0up curry, especially popular in regions like Hokkaido, began as a hearty meal for laborers needing warmth and energy during harsh winters. Lighter than traditional curry yet packed with spices, it features a rich broth filled with vegetables, meat, and seasonal toppings that help boost circulation and fight the cold. Its warmth, heat, and bold flavors have made it a beloved winter staple across Japan, often enjoyed with rice or crusty bread to soak up the soup.
Tokyo – Hokkaido Soup Curry Suage SHIBUYA
Location: Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 2 Chome−22−11 渋谷フランセ奥野ビル B1F
Phone: +81368038270
Website: https://www.suage.info/ja/
Osaka – スープカレー aya spice亭
Location: Japan, 〒542-0083 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Higashishinsaibashi, 1 Chome−13−19 1F Japanese Bar common内
Phone: +818042953728
Website: https://www.instagram.com/aya_spice_tei/
Kyoto – SOUP CURRY OHMIYA
Location: Japan, 〒604-8041 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Uraderacho, 607-3 西川ビル ２階
Phone: +81752125515
Website: https://curry-kyoto.jimdo.com/
Oden – Photo by: nicolegeri1213
Oden
Oden originated as a simple street food sold from yatai stalls, keeping travelers warm with its gently simmered ingredients during the cold months. Made with daikon, boiled eggs, konjac, fishcakes, and tofu stewed in a light soy-based broth, it offers subtle flavors that deepen the longer it cooks. Still widely enjoyed at convenience stores and winter festivals, oden remains a nostalgic symbol of warmth and everyday comfort in Japan.
Tokyo – O’denbar うまみ 三軒茶屋
Location: Japan, 〒154-0024 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Sangenjaya, 2 Chome−11−11 プレジオ三軒茶屋 2階
Phone: +81364507919
Website: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131706/13313081/
Osaka – Hanakujira honten
Location: Japan, 〒553-0003 Osaka, Fukushima Ward, Fukushima, 2 Chome−8−2 1階
Phone: +81664537486
Kyoto – Bengaraya
Location: 185-2 Kamiaburakakecho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8047, Japan
Phone: +81756226908
Website: http://www.bengaraya.net/
Ochazuke – Photo by: Lau Jazzily
Ochazuke
Ochazuke is a simple yet cozy dish where hot tea or broth is poured over a bowl of rice. Often topped with ingredients like salmon, pickles, or seaweed, it highlights the elegance of Japanese minimalism. Light but satisfying, ochazuke is a beloved dish that can keep the winter days a little warmer.
Tokyo – Dashi Ochazuke En Lumine Shinjuku branch
Location: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−1−5 ルミネ新宿１ Ｂ２Ｆ
Phone: +81353391696
Website: https://byo.co.jp/dashichazuke-en/
Osaka – Ochazuke-dokoro Hiyotoko
Location: Japan, 〒542-0083 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Higashishinsaibashi, 2 Chome−5−8 京屋ビル 1階
Phone: +81664849999
Website: http://hiyotoko.com/
Kyoto – Dashi-Chazule En – Kyoto Porta
Location: Kyoto Porta, ９０２番地 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
Phone: +81757086396
Website: https://byo.co.jp/dashichazuke-en/
As the temperature drops, these winter dishes serve as a reminder that warmth can be found not just in hot meals but in the shared moments around the table. Whether enjoyed at a bustling street stall, a cozy family dinner, or a local restaurant, each dish adds its own flavor to the season. Discovering these winter specialities is a memorable way to experience Japan’s culinary culture.
Featured Photo Credit: norikko
