Japanese food is famous around the world for its incredible variety. Sushi, ramen, tempura, takoyaki, udon, soba, and many other Japanese dishes can now be found in countries around the globe.
But how well can you actually recognize Japanese dishes? Can you identify a dish made with vinegared rice and seafood? Do you know which Japanese food consists of thick wheat noodles? What about the famous round snack traditionally filled with octopus?
This Japanese Food Quiz challenges you to name 20 Japanese dishes based on their descriptions. Test your knowledge and discover how familiar you really are with Japanese cuisine.
How to Play the Japanese Food Quiz
Read each description carefully and choose the Japanese dish that best matches it. Try to answer without searching online first.
Each question includes an explanation so you can learn more about the dish after answering.
Can You Name These Japanese Dishes?
Are you ready? Let's see how many Japanese dishes you can recognize!
How Did You Do?
Count your correct answers and compare your score with the categories below.
17–20 Correct Answers
You are a Japanese food expert! You can recognize many classic Japanese dishes and understand the differences between them.
13–16 Correct Answers
You know Japanese food very well! You are familiar with many popular dishes and can identify most of the classics.
9–12 Correct Answers
Good job! You already recognize a solid selection of Japanese dishes, but there are still many more to discover.
5–8 Correct Answers
You know some Japanese favorites. You can identify several popular dishes, but Japanese cuisine is much more diverse than the foods you may already know.
0–4 Correct Answers
Your Japanese food journey is just beginning! There are hundreds of Japanese dishes and regional specialties waiting to be discovered.
Popular Japanese Dishes Around the World
Japanese cuisine has become increasingly popular internationally. Some dishes have become especially recognizable because they are widely available outside Japan.
Sushi is perhaps the most internationally famous Japanese food. Ramen has also become a global favorite, with restaurants serving different regional and creative styles.
Other dishes such as tempura, yakitori, tonkatsu, and takoyaki have also gained popularity among people who want to explore Japanese cuisine.
Japanese Noodles Have Many Varieties
Japanese cuisine includes several different types of noodles, each with its own characteristics.
Ramen
Ramen consists of wheat noodles served in broth with various toppings. The broth and toppings can differ significantly depending on the style.
Udon
Udon noodles are thick and chewy. They can be served hot in broth, chilled with a dipping sauce, or incorporated into different regional dishes.
Soba
Soba noodles are traditionally made primarily from buckwheat. They can be served hot or cold and are commonly paired with a dipping sauce or broth.
Japanese Food Is Extremely Diverse
One of the most interesting things about Japanese cuisine is that it goes far beyond the dishes most commonly known internationally.
Japan has countless regional specialties, seasonal dishes, traditional sweets, fermented foods, seafood dishes, noodle varieties, and home-cooked meals.
Traveling from one region to another can therefore provide completely different culinary experiences.
Why Learn the Names of Japanese Dishes?
Knowing the names of Japanese dishes can make ordering food in Japan much easier. It can also help you understand menus and identify ingredients or cooking styles.
Learning common terms such as sushi, sashimi, ramen, udon, soba, tempura, and yakitori provides a useful foundation for exploring Japanese food.
Once you become familiar with the basics, you can start exploring regional dishes and less familiar Japanese foods.
The Japanese Food Quiz: Can You Name These Japanese Dishes? is a fun way to test how well you can recognize popular Japanese foods.
From sushi and sashimi to ramen, tempura, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, soba, udon, yakitori, tonkatsu, and traditional sweets, Japanese cuisine offers an enormous variety of dishes.
Whether you are a longtime fan of Japanese food or just starting to explore it, learning the names and characteristics of different dishes can make your culinary journey even more interesting.
So, how many Japanese dishes did you identify correctly? Share your score and challenge your friends to see who knows Japanese cuisine best!