1. Sushi-ya
No one will mistake a sushi-ya for another eatery. Many chain sushi-ya in Japan offer the “meals-on-wheel” bar. A quick note on sushi-ya – all sushi-ya will hang out a noren (half-curtain) with the restaurant’s name on it when it is open, and when the noren is not visible, it means they are closed.
2. Unagi and Dojo-ya
Unagi (eel) and dojo (loach) are one of the most important fishes in Japanese cuisine. Both fishes are usually served in the same restaurant, but there are some traditional restaurants which only specialize either in unagi or dojo in order to deliver the highest quality of food.
3. Ryotei
This is a high-end traditional Japanese cuisine restaurant, which is not the most famous among the tourists. Dining in Ryotei are usually required advance bookings. The restaurants are usually non-eye-catching and you will find morijio (a mound of salt) which significant prosperity to welcome their guests.
4. Sukiyaki-ya
Sukiyaki is one of the most famous Japanese meat dishes. Sukiyaki-ya is considered as high-end eatery which is famous among the businessmen. However, in recent years, cheaper Sukiyaki-ya can be found around big cities in Japan such as Tokyo.
5. Soba-ya
One of the most common eateries in Japan, soba-ya is an affordable Japanese noodle house available almost everywhere in Japan.
6. Tonkatsu-ya
Another common eatery, tonkatsu-ya (port-cutlet restaurant) is also known for its fast service and affordable pricing. The restaurants also offered other fried items such as furai (fried vegetables and seafood in batter), korokke (fried croquettes) and kushi-age (meat and vegetables fried on skewers).
7. Yakitori-ya
Usually found around entertainment districts, yakitori-ya is a restaurant that offered liquor and finger foods. The restaurants usually will hang a big red paper lantern (known as aka-chochin) outside to attract customers.
8. Okonomiyaki-ya
You can also call Okonomiyaki-ya as a pizzeria in Japan. They basically served Japanese pancakes / pizzas and are famous in Kansai region especially in Osaka.
9. Oden-ya
Oden is a type of winter food in Japan where several foods such as eggs, fishcakes and vegetables being boiled in soy-flavoured broth. In another word – a Japanese style steamboat. In Oden-ya, you will be able to eat this hotpot all year round. The restaurants are usually small, so make sure you keep an eye on the surrounding if you wish to dine here.
10. Department store foodcourt
Department store foodcourt is a common eatery in almost everywhere in Asia. But if you from the other part of the world, department store foodcourt is the place where you will find many shops selling different types of food in a small place. You will get Chinese, Western, Italian and Japanese all under the same roof.
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