tokyotreat mobile logotokyotreat logo
close button
0
All TopicsNewsCultureJapanese Snacks & CandyFood & DrinkTravelEntertainmentMember Spotlight
A restaurant during a rainy day in Japan, where people can enjoy warm dishes like nikuman.
A restaurant during a rainy day in Japan, where people can enjoy warm dishes like nikuman.

Nikuman and More: Five Best Snacks on a Rainy Day!

Devon Lord-MoncriefDevon Lord-Moncrief
Published Time
Posted on October 12, 2023
Modified Time
Updated last June 14, 2024

Nikuman are among the tastiest snacks you can have during a chilly rainy day in Japan. Soft, warm, and full of savory umami flavor, few things can warm you up quite the way nikuman can. Well, a few other snacks can hit the spot on those chill, rainy days, and we’re here to tell you all about them!

So don’t let some clouds and a little rain damper your day! Whether you make these at home or buy your favorite kind from a store, these snacks are a surefire way to have a warm and tasty snack when you need them most!

Nikuman (Meat Bun)

Nikuman are small pork dumplings. Also known as baozi in China, nikuman consists of flour, meat, and various fillings. There are numerous ways to fill nikuman, with some more popular varieties including shumai (filled with pork), kare-man (filled with curry), an-man (filled with red bean paste), and even pizza-man (filled with pizza-flavored ingredients). Regardless of what you’re craving or what tastes you prefer, a nikuman is available just for you.

A basket of nikuman (meat buns).
Nikuman originally came from China. Image via Shutterstock

What makes nikuman unique is the folding and pleating that goes into making the dumplings. Making the proper nikuman requires more than simple pinching or pressing the dough to achieve the desired shape. Presentation can be as important as taste with nikuman, so don’t forget to practice folding and pleating!

Cup Noodles

Everyone loves a good bowl of hot ramen. Hot and filling, good ramen can include many different meats, vegetables, and other ingredients. In Japan, ramen is taken very seriously, and some of the best ramen available can change your life. For those of us who can’t take the trip to enjoy the nation’s greatest tonkotsu ramen, Cup Noodles is another excellent option.

A bowl of cup ramen.
Cup ramen is one of the most convenient dishes to have! Image via Shutterstock

Cup Noodles are simple and effective. Peel back the lid, add hot water, and let it sit for a few minutes. When the time’s up, just take the lid off and enjoy your meal. The accessibility and convenience of Cup Noodles cannot be overstated. Whether you need a hot meal at home, work, school, or anywhere else, hot water can help you have a warm and filling meal in minutes.

Oden (Fish Cake Stew)

If a larger meal is what you’re after, then oden is the answer. Oden is a large one-pot dish meant for sharing with a group or family. It’s a stew containing fish cakes, daikon radish, atsuago (deep-fried tofu), and other ingredients. These are all simmered in a flavorful dashi broth. Served fresh and hot, fewer dishes can warm you up faster than a big bowl of oden.

A bowl of oden stew.
You can even get oden from the konbini! Image via Shutterstock

Oden is so prevalent in Japan that when the colder autumn and winter months come, Japanese convenience stores (konbini) and underground supermarket food floors (depa-chika) begin serving oden. With such wide varieties of oden available with mushrooms, sausage, chicken wings, potatoes, and more, oden is one dish that’ll cure your rainy-day blues.

Are you looking for some snacks to enjoy on a rainy day? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, snacks, drinks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest treats directly from Japan!

Zoni (Mochi Soup)

Zoni might have one of the most interesting histories of all the foods on this list. It’s a soup that consists of mochi (rice cakes) cooked alongside various vegetables, meats, and other ingredients in different broths. Moreover, it was initially a meal associated with the samurai and was exclusive to them for many years. Most people usually eat it during New Year’s celebrations.

A bowl of zoni mochi soup, which is warm like nikuman.
Zoni soup has delicious chewy mochi in it! Image via Shutterstock

Some versions of zoni contain sumashi-jiru, a dashi stock. Others may contain stock made from white miso or red miso. Some prepare zoni by grilling mochi squares, while others boil them before adding to the soup. Regardless of your preference, zoni is a hearty, centuries-old dish many people enjoy.

Yakiimo (Roasted Sweet Potato)

Yakiimo are roasted sweet potatoes, and they’re a delicious snack. Only traditional Japanese sweet potatoes, known as satsumaimo, are used in making yakiimo. Satsumaimo are smaller than other sweet potato varieties and has a unique flavor profile.

A plate of yakiimo sweet potatoes, which is warm like nikuman.
Sweet potatoes are especially popular during autumn! Image via Shutterstock

They’re traditionally cooked on hot stones called ishiyaki imo (stone-roasted-potato.) Yakiimo were wrapped in paper and placed on the hot stones until perfectly cooked. Luckily, the traditional hot trucks that used to serve yakiimo aren’t the only way to have them. Over-roasting warm yakiimo at home is just as efficient (just remember not to use salt or butter – the sweet potato itself is all you need!)

Plenty of other great snacks can warm you up on a fantastic rainy day, but we don’t have enough space to list them all. What are some of your favorites? Did we include them in our list or forget to add them? Let us know in the comments below, and tell us what your favorite snack is!

Enjoy Delicious Japanese Candy And Snacks Every Month!

Starting from$32.50 USD
Get TokyoTreat

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Enjoy Delicious Japanese Candy And Snacks Every Month!

Starting from$32.50 USD
Get TokyoTreat

Related articles

Food & Drink

Ministop and More: Unique Convenience Stores in Japan

Japan is home to other, lesser-known convenience store chains that provide a different, often more specialized experience.

October 17, 2024
Food & Drink

Halloween Candy and More: Spooky Season in Japan!

Whether you’re enjoying scary anime or trying out Halloween candy, Japan has a variety of ways to celebrate this October. With so many options, it’s easy to see why you should experience the spooky holiday here!

October 05, 2024
Food & Drink

Sanma: The Best Fish to Eat in Autumn?

As the crisp autumn air settles in, one question arises among seafood lovers in Japan: “Is sanma the best fish to eat in autumn?” Sanma, also known as Pacific saury, is a long, sleek fish celebrated for its rich, seasonal flavor. This fish is a staple in Japanese cuisine in autumn, as its flavor peaks...

October 01, 2024
Food & Drink

Bento Box: The Cool History of the Packed Lunch!

The bento box is Japan’s ultimate fast food. While it seems like an unassuming meal, it’s so much more. A convenient way to pack and serve food, it contains all the nutrients you need to get you through the day. And there is no wrong way to put together a box! We’re here to tell...

September 28, 2024
Food & Drink

Dagashi and Wagashi: What’s the Difference?

Here’s everything you need to know about Japanese sweets that have tickled taste buds for generations! Let’s dive into the delicious and colorful world of dagashi and wagashi—one of Japan’s best sweet treats! 

September 27, 2024
Food & Drink

Types of Cheesecake to Enjoy in Japan!

Dessert lovers, get ready for a journey through the flavors of Japan! This guide explores the types of cheesecake you can enjoy in Japan and the differences from their Western counterparts. Be tempted by various delicious offerings that are perfect for any sweet tooth! If you’re curious about the Japanese version of this dessert, dive...

September 27, 2024