Chuka Ryori

Chinese inspired Japanese food is referred to as chūka or chūka ryōri. This means Chinese food in Japanese. These dishes are from China, but have being adjusted to suit Japanese taste buds. The main difference between Japanese food and Chinese is  raw foods. Japanese people eat  more raw foods as opposed to Chinese. You will also find more fish in Japanese dishes than in Chinese.

Where Can I find Chuka Ryori Restaurants?

You can buy Chinese food in most town ares in Japan. Chinese food is that popular in Japan. Ramen shops are also everywhere in Japan and they serve many of the Chinese dishes that are popular in Japan. So what are these popular dishes? Well here they are.

Kara-age (唐揚)

Chinese and Japanese Food Karage

You don’t have to go far to taste your first kara-age. You can get them in convenience stores. Kara-age are bite-sized deep fired pieces of chicken. Usually, it is served without sauce.

Nikuman (肉まん)

Chinese and Japanese Food Nikuman

Nikuman is one of Japans best kept food secrets. Like kara-age you can buy it in a convenience store.Nikuman is Chinese-style steamed bun filled with cooked ground pork, beef or other ingredients. It is cheap and filling, you should definitely try it in Japan.

Gyōza (餃子 or ギョーザ)

Chinese and Japanese Food Gyoza

Gyōza is very popular in Japan. Most often, they are seen in their fried form, but they can be served boiled as dumplings or even deep fried, as well. They are almost always in ramen shops.

Harumaki (春巻き, lit. “Spring Rolls”)

Chinese and Japanese Food Harumaki

These may seem familar especially to those of you who are coming from state side. It has a thin fried wrapping with vegetables and meat inside. This is one of my favorite Chinese foods in Japan.

Shumai (焼売 or シュウマイ)

Chinese and Japanese Food Shumai

is a type of traditional Chinese dumpling made with minced pork wrapped in wheat flour skin and steamed, but meat other than pork is sometimes used.

Chāhan (炒飯 or チャーハン)

Chinese and Japanese Food Chahan

Japanese people sometimes refer to this as “yakimeshi”. It means fried rice. it uses Japanese short-grain rice, which is usually stickier. Japanese fried rice is not made with soy sauce, so it still looks white when served. It typically uses egg, green peas, and thinly sliced ham.

Ebi no Chili Sauce (えびのチリソース)

Chinese and Japanese Food Ebi Chilli

Do you like shrimp? Well if your answer is yes you will definitely enjoy this saucy shrimp dish. As the name suggests, chili sauce is used to make it.

Mābō-Dōfu -(麻婆豆腐)

Chinese and Japanese Food Mabo Dofu

Mābōdōfu is the Japanese name for Mapo Tofu which is a Chinese dish from Sichuan province. Tofu and ground meat are stir fried with flavourful sauce.

Champon (ちゃんぽん)

Chinese and Japanese Food Champon

If you love ramen you will love champon. Capon is a ramen dish, topped with fried pork, seafood, and vegetables.

Chāshū (チャーシュー)

Chinese and Japanese Food Chashu Chuka

Sticking with ramen dishes.Chāshū is its own dish but it is used in ramen too. When you order ramen in Japan you get slices of it in your dish. I do not need to tell you how delicious this is.

Chūkadon (中華丼)

Chinese and Japanese Food Chukadon

Chūkadon is a popular Japanese fast food dish. It consists of a bowl of rice with stir-fried vegetables, onions, mushrooms, and thin slices of meat on top. It is a kind of donburi. Donburi is a Japanese “rice-bowl dish” consisting of fish, meat, vegetables or other ingredients simmered together and served over rice.

Yakisoba

Chinese and Japanese Food Yakisoba

This one may come as a surprise because yakisoba is so popular in Japan. However this popular Japanese dish is a  take on Chinese chow mein with a little difference. Yakisoba is made with steamed noodles stir-fried with pork and cabbage in a soy sauce.

Now You Know Where to Eat Chinese Food in Japan

Chuka Ryori in Japan

All the above foods can be had at a covenience store or at a ramen shop. You do not have to travel far within Japanese cities to eat Chinese food or Chinese inspired foods.

What chuka ryori are you ready to try?

Click here for some easy Japanese recipes that you can make.