What is Teishoku?
A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Set Meals
Teishoku（定食） is a Japanese set meal that usually comes with a main dish, rice, miso soup, and small side dishes. Everything is served together on a tray.
It’s a great way to enjoy several different dishes in one meal! 🍚
Popular Types of Teishoku 🍱
Grilled Fish Teishoku（焼き魚定食）
A simple and classic choice, often served with grilled salmon, mackerel, or other seasonal fish.
Ginger Pork Teishoku（生姜焼き定食）
Thinly sliced pork cooked with a sweet and savoury ginger sauce. It’s a popular everyday meal and goes perfectly with rice.
Karaage Teishoku（唐揚げ定食）
Japanese fried chicken. The crispy chicken and fluffy rice make this a filling and popular choice.
Tonkatsu Teishoku（とんかつ定食）
A crispy breaded pork cutlet served with shredded cabbage.
Tempura Teishoku（天ぷら定食）
Tempura, such as shrimp and vegetables. It’s a great choice if you want to try several types of tempura in one meal.
Sashimi Teishoku（刺身定食）
Fresh sashimi served with different types of fish, such as salmon, tuna, and kingfish. The fish can vary depending on the restaurant and season. It’s usually eaten with soy sauce, and you can add wasabi if you like.
Mackerel Simmered in Miso Teishoku（サバの味噌煮定食）
Mackerel simmered in a rich miso-based sauce.
Aji Fry Teishoku（アジフライ定食）
Crispy deep-fried horse mackerel, usually served with tartar sauce, Worcestershire-style sauce, soy sauce, or salt. You can choose how you like to eat it!
Oyster Fry Teishoku（カキフライ定食）
Crispy deep-fried oysters, usually served with tartar sauce, Worcestershire-style sauce, soy sauce, or lemon.
Chicken Nanban Teishoku（チキン南蛮定食）
Fried chicken coated in a sweet and tangy sauce, often served with tartar sauce.
Agedashi Tofu Teishoku（揚げ出し豆腐定食）
Lightly fried tofu served in a savoury dashi-based broth.
Mixed Fry Teishoku（ミックスフライ定食）
A combination of different fried foods, such as shrimp, fish, oysters, or vegetables.
Japanese Pickles（おしんこ・つけもの）
Oshinko（お新香） is a general name often used for Japanese pickles served as a small side dish. You may see different types depending on the restaurant, such as cucumber pickles, daikon pickles, or yellow takuan（たくあん）.
- Cucumber Pickles（きゅうりの漬物）
- Takuan（たくあん） — yellow pickled daikon
- Shibazuke（しば漬け） — purple pickled vegetables
Some pickles are crunchy and lightly seasoned, while others have a stronger salty or sour flavour. They’re usually served in a small dish alongside the main meal.
How Do You Eat Teishoku? 🍚
There’s no strict way to eat a teishoku. You can simply enjoy the dishes in whatever order you like!
You may also be able to choose the amount or type of rice at some restaurants. For example, some places offer white rice or brown rice, while others let you choose a smaller or larger serving!😊
Where Can You Eat Teishoku? 🍱
- Local teishoku restaurants
- Family Restaurants
- Yayoi Ken（やよい軒）— Theishoku chains
- Ootoya（大戸屋） — Theishoku chains
- Local cafes
Dietary Information
Teishoku can be difficult for vegetarians and vegans because many set meals include fish, meat, eggs, or dashi made from bonito flakes.
If you have dietary restrictions, check the ingredients or ask the restaurant before ordering.
Why Try Teishoku? 🍚
Teishoku is a simple and satisfying way to enjoy Japanese food. Many meals include a good mix of protein, vegetables, rice, and miso soup, so they can be a well-rounded choice.
Taste a Japanese teishoku and enjoy a little bit of everything! 🍚✨