17 Japanese Restaurant Styles And What They Serve
Japanese food is more than sushi rolls and miso soup—it’s a world of flavors, traditions, and styles waiting to be explored.
From cozy noodle shops to high-end multi-course dining, each restaurant type offers a unique way to experience Japan’s deep food culture. Whether you’re slurping broth or grilling your own meats, there’s something for every craving.
This list breaks down 17 common types of Japanese restaurants and what delicious things they specialize in.
1. Sushi-Ya
These spots specialize in sushi, from delicate nigiri to elaborate rolls and chirashi bowls. Chefs may work right in front of you.
Expect the freshest fish, perfectly seasoned rice, and maybe even a quiet moment of omakase, where the chef chooses your meal.
2. Ramen-Ya
Ramen shops serve steaming bowls of noodles in rich, flavorful broths—tonkotsu, shoyu, miso, or shio. Toppings are half the fun.
Soft-boiled eggs, chashu pork, bamboo shoots, and seaweed make each bowl a slurp-worthy adventure in umami.
3. Izakaya
Think of izakayas as Japan’s version of a gastropub—lively, informal, and full of small plates to share with drinks.
From grilled skewers to fried tofu and sashimi, the menu is made for grazing with beer or sake in hand.
4. Yakitori-Ya
These restaurants focus on skewered chicken grilled over charcoal, served with tare (a sweet soy glaze) or simply salted.
You’ll find every part of the bird here—thigh, liver, skin, even cartilage—cooked until juicy and smoky.
5. Soba-Ya
Soba-ya serve buckwheat noodles hot in broth or cold with dipping sauce, depending on the season or your mood.
Nutty, earthy, and light, soba makes a healthy and traditional option that’s deeply satisfying.
6. Udon-Ya
Udon-ya specialize in thick, chewy wheat noodles served in hot broth or chilled with sauce.
They’re comfort food in a bowl—soft, springy noodles soaking up simple, savory broth, often topped with tempura or green onions.
7. Tonkatsu-Ya
At tonkatsu-ya, the star is breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets—crispy outside, tender inside, often served with shredded cabbage.
They come as set meals with rice, miso soup, and pickles, and sometimes as sandwiches or on rice bowls.
8. Tempura-Ya
Tempura restaurants offer delicate battered and deep-fried vegetables and seafood, always light and never greasy.
Eaten with a dipping sauce or flavored salt, each piece is crispy, golden, and perfectly cooked to order.
9. Kaiseki Ryori
Kaiseki is haute cuisine—seasonal, multi-course meals served with artistic flair and serious attention to detail.
Expect a carefully balanced progression of flavors and textures, all designed to reflect the time of year and the chef’s skill.
10. Teppanyaki
At teppanyaki restaurants, chefs cook your meal on a hot iron griddle right in front of you—complete with flair and flames.
Steak, seafood, and veggies are sizzled to perfection, often served with garlic rice and dipping sauces.
11. Okonomiyaki-Ya
These spots focus on savory Japanese pancakes made with cabbage, batter, and mix-ins like pork, shrimp, or cheese.
Grilled on a flat top and topped with sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes, they’re hearty, fun, and totally customizable.
12. Yakiniku
Yakiniku restaurants let you grill your own thin-sliced meats and veggies at your table over a built-in charcoal or gas flame.
Beef is the highlight here—especially marbled cuts like kalbi and tongue—served with dipping sauces and cold beer.
13. Donburi-Ya
Donburi-ya serve hearty rice bowls topped with meat, fish, or veggies—simple, fast, and endlessly comforting.
From beef (gyudon) to raw tuna (tekka-don), it’s an all-in-one meal that fills you up without breaking the bank.
14. Curry House
Japanese curry is thicker and sweeter than Indian curry, usually poured over rice with pork cutlets or vegetables.
Curry houses often let you choose spice level, toppings, and sides, making every plate feel like your own creation.
15. Shabu-Shabu Restaurant
These spots serve thin slices of meat and vegetables you cook yourself in a bubbling pot of broth at your table.
Dip the cooked pieces into sauces like ponzu or sesame, then follow it all with noodles or rice to finish the broth.
16. Robatayaki
Robatayaki means “fireside cooking”—ingredients are grilled slowly over hot coals and handed to you on long paddles.
You’ll see seafood, skewers, and veggies roasted to smoky perfection in this rustic, theatrical dining experience.
17. Conbini (Convenience Store Dining Counters)
While not technically restaurants, some convenience stores in Japan have counters where you can enjoy ready-made meals.
Bento boxes, onigiri, and hot snacks like fried chicken or oden make these quick, budget-friendly, and surprisingly tasty.