BIG ON JAPAN

What inspires India’s Nippon-loving gourmets? Julian Manning uncovers their favourite haunts

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A record number of Indian tourists jetted to Japan in 2024, and with 2025 looking no different, everyone's after that travel list that captures the gist of Japan. So if you're after more than run-of-the-mill checklists, follow epicures who keep going back to be inspired by its innermost appeal. Koji crafter Prachet Sancheti speaks on miso houses moving with the seasons; ramen whisperer Kavan Kuttappa believes in bolt-hole bowls; fermentation whizz Vanika Choudhary talks temple food; Nooresha Kably advocates Sapporo train trips; and Lakhan Jethani proposes cloud-like towers of shaved ice.

KAVAN KUTTAPPA

Getting a reservation at Bengaluru's 20-seater ramen shop is a point of pride. With Kuttappa's frequent travels making him a fount of knowledge, he suggests using the ultimate ramen review app (Ramen Beast), booking popular spots like Ramen Break Beats on Instagram, showing respect by finishing your bowl in 10 minutes, and trying out tourist-friendly chains before cult favourites.

Nosh in Nagoya: "I was in Nagoya, returning from Gifu after picking up these beautiful custom ramen bowls we use at Naru, and I happened upon this tori paitan shop-a style known for its creamy, white chicken soup-Menya Shishimaru. That bowl was mind-bending. They use Nagoya-Cochin, a famous breed of local chicken, to make their ramen broth, and add an in-house black pepper oil on top, which was a real revelation." menya-hanzo.​com