I know this seems like a silly topic because Japanese cuisine includes rice with almost every meal. After doing some perusing on the internet pre-trip, I didn’t find many reliable blog posts. Here’s what I’ve gathered from my first trip to Japan and needing to eat carnivore. If you’re wondering why I needed to seek out this way of eating, I’ve detailed it in my previous blog post.

Mind you, my issues stem from very, and I mean VERY, little digestive power for a few days of the month. However, I know that a lot of carnivore / low carb people really stay away from any seasonings and additives. For me, I’ve been ok with liquid sweeteners and seasonings with no fibre. I say this only because the food options I chose may have had some soy sauce / sugar glaze which is common here.

So. I was really naive enough about Japanese cuisine. I think I was nervous about coming because, well, I hadn’t been here before and I’ve had trouble finding healthy minimal food while on vacation elsewhere. Little did I know (or maybe just full on forgot) was how simple and ‘nose-to-tail’ Japanese food can be. And how universal it is. I was also very impressed with how easy it is to navigating food selection without understanding Japanese.

A great thing that bloggers pointed out were how reliable convenience stores are here. They always have a hot case full of tasty treats (this is usually by the cash register and they warm it up for you) and a cold counter. Not to mention, there’s great selection in the dried goods section.

I say I was naive because I really didn’t expect plentiful oily fish, meat kababs (yakitori as it’s called here), or full on bento boxes - AT THE LOCAL 7 11. Other popular convenience stores here are Family Mart and Lawsons.

LOW CARB OPTIONS AT CONVENIENCE STORES AND GROCERY STORES

Yakitori - This is the meat skewer found in the hot section. Offered two ways - with salt and no salt. No salt is a great option if you’re looking for gluten free. NOTE: it’s really hard to eat completely celiac here unless you’re eating sashimi and these soy free yakitori. Carry around your own bottle of soy sauce if you need some for your food. If you’re really going hard on keto, chicken skin yakitori are very popular and delicious.

Hot Dogs - I like them here. I feel like everything’s served on a stick.

Dried food - there’s usually a section with jerky but I’ve also found that there are so many types of dried fish there too! SO MANY. I bought some for a but trip but they were smelly haha.

Japanese Omelettes - These are delicious and not always found in convenience stores. They’re rectangular and slightly sweet but I find them fluffy and delicious.

Drinks: So.. another thing I forgot was that their iced tea in bottles rarely have sugar. They’re so refreshing too. Restaurants usually offer cold or hot tea, their cold tea doesn’t have sugar in it either. I also found coffee in a convenience store, Family Mart, called Butter Coffee with MCT oil in it. It was delicious.

Seaweed / pickles - If you’re not carnivore there are sometimes little packages of salad, seaweed salad (very delicious and one of the best sources of trace minerals), and Japanese pickles.

WHERE TO FIND CONVENIENCE STORES

Everywhere. I found that if I’m rushing for a train that there are usually little kiosks just outside but beyond the gate as well. Not always but usually one or the other or both. Especially at the bigger stations.

STREET FOOD

Lots of meat on sticks at popular temples and tourist destinations. If you’re looking for a gluten free treat, get some grilled mochi, you can thank me later. Note that they sometimes brush grilled mochi with soy sauce.

RESTAURANTS

Sashimi can be found everywhere. Even if you don’t see it on a menu I’m fairly certain you can simply ask for a ‘sushi omakase’. Omakase is generally the term for chef’s choice. If you’re an adventurous eater, get this!

Offal, organ meat and other parts of animals, are so much more frequently found at restaurants here. Again, I was naieve. Lots of regional delicacies involve some strange meat item that aren’t usually found in North America.

TYPES OF RESTAURANTS

Shabu Shabu: Broth and all you can eat meat. Enough said. You choose the meat and the broth and you cook it. Eat to your carnivore’s delight. Shiritake noodles are popular in hot pot. These are made out of the konjak root and don’t spike blood sugar because they’re fermentable fibres.

Yakiniku: Grill your own damn meat. You choose the meat (so many varieties of organs and muscle meat) and you grill it. It usually comes with a little salad pallet cleanser.

Sushi restaurants: see my blurb about sashimi.

Izakaya: These Japanese bars are evening affairs and usually have their fair choice of yakitori skewers and sashimi.