As Japan moves through picturesque red and yellow foliage, it also transitions to the comforting smell of roasted sweet potatoes and chestnut-themed cafes.
Various seasonal delicacies await you, which you can try from the supermarket or any nearby restaurant! Discover some must-try Japanese delights this autumn for your next food adventure.
Matsutake mushrooms
Pine mushrooms, or matsutake, boast an earthy aroma unlike any other. When roasted, their rich and meaty texture and nut flavour offers a unique tasting experience in Japanese dishes. They are often cooked with rice, a soup called dashi broth, and chawanmushi, an egg custard with matsutake, for an enriching flavour.
Sanma
Pacific saury, or sanma, is a Japanese dish featuring a migratory fish that travels to Japan’s waters during autumn. Due to its tender flesh and crispy skin, it is best served grilled in salt with daikon radish and lemon.
Chestnuts
Also known as kuri, chestnuts symbolise autumn and are a popular ingredient in Japanese dishes. They are often found in the famous kuri-gohan and the cake-like dumpling called kuri-manju. Their nuttiness perfectly complements savoury and sweet delicacies.
Ginnan
Apart from chestnuts, ginkgo nuts are yellowish-green, chewy, and bitter. Toasted and salted ginkgo nuts are a popular autumn-drinking snack in most izakayas. They are also perfectly blended with chawanmushi (egg custard) or steamed rice, adding a crunchy taste.
Budou
In Yamanashi and Nagano, grapes or budou are a seasonal delicacy with outstanding taste. Various varieties are available, including Kyoho (large and sweet flavour) and Shine Muscat (crispy and juicy texture).
Kaki
Persimmons or kaki are abundant in Japanese food during autumn, with their vibrant orange colour growing across the country. They feature a sweet and unique texture, and there are two varieties: Fuyu (crispy and often eaten raw) and Kaki (jelly-like and sweet flavour).
Nashi Pears
Nashi pears are crispy and juicy fruits often added to various delicacies, including salads and desserts, for an enriching flavour.
Yaki-Imo
Yaki-imo, with its comforting taste and sweet aroma, is found in many traditional Japanese sweets. Its colour varies, including rusty orange and golden.
Nabe
This Japanese hot pot dish is a common comfort food that starts in autumn and brings family and friends together. There are numerous variations, including the most popular sukiyaki and yosenabe. Sukiyaki combines thinly sliced beef, vegetables, and tofu with a sweet and savoury soy-based broth. On the other hand, yosonabe is a mix of chicken, seafood, and vegetables.
Shinmai
Shinmai, or ‘new rice,’ is enjoyed in its simplest form with its softer and moist texture. You can create a bowl of sweetness to enjoy with ginkgo nuts, chestnuts, or matsutake mushrooms.
Oden
Oden is a simmering broth or dashi (savoury fish with seaweed stock) with various ingredients that may vary by region and personal preferences. It is a beloved Japanese dish that offers comfort during autumn.
Sake
Japan’s rice wine is typical this season as breweries provide a particular type of sake called hiyaoroshi, brewed in the spring and aged in the summer. It’s a mild and smoother sake that is famous for autumn gatherings.
