When you think of Japanese food, sushi is the first thing that comes to mind. The thing is, there is so much more to Japanese food than the popular seafood rice rolls.
Egypt is one of the few Arab countries beginning to explore the rich diversity of this unique cuisine, with new, authentic Japanese dining spots opening up. Let us take a look at some of our favorites:
Takoyaki at Yamatako
Have you ever heard of Takoyaki? They are basically bite-sized balls made of flour batter, seasoned with dashi stock, and include a bit of octopus filling in their center.
They are a staple Japanese snack food found across street vendors in cities like Tokyo. Now, that very authentic dish has made its way to Egypt, getting served in a tiny Zamalek eatery called Yamatako.
Inside, you’ll find an old Japanese chef with flecks of grey hair dressed in their signature apron, awaiting to serve you. Beyond Takoyaki, you can also try out their Hiyamogi, thinly shaped cold noodles served by dunking them onto a mixture of onions and ginger.
You can also keep things simple and try their classic Ramen to practice your slurping skills.
Japanese Ice Cream at Taiyaki
For the sweet tooth, for the lover of all things dessert, there is even a Japanese spot to satiate that craving. Known as Taiyaki, this spot serves up the dessert of the same name, which is basically fish-shaped cakes filled with an assortment of fillings, including red bean paste, chocolate, custard, and much more.
In this dessert shop, you can enjoy the fish cake with a dollop of ice cream. They also serve up another beloved Japanese dessert, mochi, which is a small, sweet Japanese cake made with glutinous rice flour and served cold.
Ramen at Ichimiro Ramen
Ready for some slurp-worthy goodness? At Ichimiro Ramen, you can enjoy one of the most popular Japanese dishes, the famous ramen. These noodles have been every household’s lifesaving dish for a quick meal. Some places, though, like to add a touch of finesse to the popular dish, and that is where Ichimiro Ramen comes in.
At this eatery, you can soothe your soul with everything from their shrimp to their shio (chicken) ramen. You can also try out their juicy beef and shrimp gyoza.
Sando at Reif Kushiyaki
For the ones who love a touch of fine dining, one of the best Japanese eateries that serves up literal luxury on a plate is Reif Kushiyaki. A must-try is their chicken katsu sando, which is basically a spongy white sliced bread filled with breaded chicken (usually pork if in Japan) and tonkatsu sauce.
Beyond that, you can indulge in their other exquisite dishes, including beef yakisoba and their truffle mayo and crispy shallots.
Yakitori at PUCCA Ramen Corner
Taking up a small space at Nasr City’s Wonderland Mall is PUCCA Ramen Corner, a Japanese eatery that is all about the slurping goodness of ramen. Along with that, you can also try many other dishes, including yakitori and juicy grilled skewered chicken. At this point, is there really anything Japanese chefs cannot cook up?
With all these Japanese eateries, you have so many options to try and enjoy. With this guide, you get to be introduced to purely authentic dishes, many of which we think we may not have heard of before.