Cozy foods for Winter in Japan

Winter in Japan is basically a warm hug served in a bowl 🫂 

If you’ve ever wondered what people eat to stay warm during those chilly months, you’re in for a treat. Let’s see if you have tried them all already!

🍲 Nabe

One of the stars of the season is nabe (鍋), Japanese hot pot. Families gather around a shared pot filled with veggies, tofu, meat, and broth. The ingredients simmer together, and everyone eats straight from the bubbling pot.

There are tons of varieties:
• すき焼き sukiyaki → sweet soy broth with beef
• しゃぶしゃぶ shabu shabu → thin slices of meat swished in hot water
• ちゃんこ鍋 chanko nabe → protein-packed hot pot famously eaten by sumo wrestlers

It’s delicious, social, and perfect for cold nights.

🍜 Ramen

Winter is the ultimate time for ramen (ラーメン). The broth warms you from the inside out, whether you go for:
• 味噌ラーメン miso ramen (Hokkaido’s specialty)
• 豚骨ラーメン tonkotsu ramen
• 塩ラーメン shio ramen

And nothing beats holding a warm bowl while the cold wind blows outside.

Fun fact: ramen is actually eaten all year round, even in the middle of summer, because sweating can help the body cool down!

🐟 Yudōfu

A Kyoto winter classic, yudōfu (湯豆腐) is simple but so comforting. Tofu is gently heated in hot water with kombu, then dipped in sauces like soy or ponzu.

It’s light, warm, and surprisingly satisfying.

🌰 Oden

If you’ve ever walked into a Japanese convenience store in winter and smelled something delicious, that was probably oden (おでん). This broth-filled pot contains things like daikon, eggs, tofu, konnyaku, and fish cakes.

It’s budget friendly, hearty, and the perfect warming snack on the go.

🍠 Yakiimo

A true winter treasure. Yakiimo (焼き芋) is a roasted sweet potato that’s soft, sweet, and naturally creamy. You’ll find them at:
• street stalls
• supermarkets
• even trucks that drive around announcing “yaaaakiimo!”

The smell alone is enough to make you feel cozy.

🍶 Atsukan

Winter is also the season for atsukan (熱燗), warm sake. It’s gently heated and served in small cups, perfect for pairing with winter dishes or warming up during a cold evening.

🍊 Mikan

Winter in Japan wouldn’t be the same without mikan (蜜柑・みかん). These small citrus fruits are sweet, easy to peel, and often eaten while sitting under a warm kotatsu (heated table).

It’s like a tiny bite of sunshine in winter.

I personally love these warm, cozy foods! When I was little, my family and I always ate mandarins around the kotatsu (a heated table with a warm blanket). My parents eat hot pot every night during the winter.😆

So, have you tried them all already?

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫