[Food Songs] Popular Japanese songs that use names of foods

POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

When everyday familiar things are chosen as the subject of a song, it somehow makes us feel a sense of closeness all by itself.

If a song’s title or theme is food, it’s easier to picture, isn’t it?

This time, under the theme of Japanese music related to food, we’ve put together songs where the very title features food or drink, or the lyrics are connected to food!

From the latest hits to timeless classics and hidden favorites, please enjoy these J-POP gems that might just make your stomach growl.

[Food Songs] Popular Japanese Songs That Use Food Names (71–80)

Strawberry ShortcakesFujifaburikku

Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberry ShortcakesFujifaburikku

Fujifabric captivates listeners with gentle vocals and profound lyrical themes.

When it comes to songs that feature food, “Strawberry Shortcakes” comes to mind.

This track portrays a couple in a restaurant sharing strawberry shortcake.

In the lyrics, the strawberry shortcake is depicted as a symbol for various things.

The lyrics are a bit more mature, but if you’re curious, be sure to check them out.

You can also enjoy the song by exploring interpretations of the lyrics’ meaning.

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RECIPEYamashita Tatsuro

Tatsuro Yamashita “RECIPE” Edit Version

RECIPEYamashita Tatsuro

This is the first single of the Reiwa era from Japan’s proud genius musician, Tatsuro Yamashita—known affectionately as Yama-Tatsu.

From the title “RECIPE,” you might imagine a food-themed track, but the lyrics brilliantly compare love for a special someone to a recipe, making it a quintessential Yamashita-style adult love song.

Written as the theme for Takuya Kimura’s drama “Grand Maison Tokyo,” with whom Yamashita is known to have a personal connection, the song also drew attention for its music video featuring “Tatsuro-kun,” a CG character modeled after Yamashita.

How about using this track as background music for a leisurely dinner?

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frozen mandarin orangeGTP

frozen mandarin orange

frozen mandarin orangeGTP

This song gives the impression of being widely known and is often played in supermarkets, but it’s actually by a group called DTP.

Many people probably can’t get it out of their heads once they hear the lyrics that make you chuckle and the instantly memorable melody.

Momoiro Clover has also covered it.

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strawberryyuzu

Yuzu, strawberry

strawberryyuzu

This is a single released by Yuzu in 2009.

Despite its cute title, “Ichigo,” the poppy outfits, and a chorus that’s very catchy and easy to remember, the lyrics are shockingly embarrassing to sing in front of others—something you wouldn’t expect from such a bright, pop image.

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Let’s eatKoresawa

Koresawa 'Itadakimasu' [Music Video]

Let's eatKoresawa

Food you eat with someone you love tastes extra delicious, doesn’t it? This is a love song that brims with single-hearted devotion to the other person.

It’s a track by Koresawa, a singer-songwriter from Osaka Prefecture, released as a digital single in 2019.

A warm, heartfelt ballad that makes you feel happy just by listening.

It’s a lovely piece that fully showcases her charming, down-to-earth worldview.

Please give it a listen with your significant other—whether you’re a couple, married, or with someone special.

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Beer and puddingRemioromen

Remioromen – Beer and Pudding

Beer and puddingRemioromen

This is an early masterpiece by Remioromen.

Whether they’re a cohabiting couple or a married pair, the song portrays the everyday life of two people and the man’s inner feelings.

The lyrics seem open to many interpretations depending on the listener, and the way the arrangement gradually builds from a relaxed tone to an emotionally charged climax is deeply moving.

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Eat some sushi!Shibugakitai

Shibugakitai - Eat Some Sushi!

Eat some sushi!Shibugakitai

By firing off the names of sushi toppings in a rap-like flow, this track fuses a distinctive rhythm with Japanese food culture to create a fresh, innovative pop song.

Its uniquely witty lyrics—sure to make anyone grin—combine with spirited call-and-response shouts to deliver a piece overflowing with fun.

True to Shibugakitai, it avoids being just another standard idol love song, wrapping you in a positive vibe that makes you want to sing along.

Released in February 1986, it was performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen even before the record came out, and it was also broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta.

It even sparked a social phenomenon, inspiring a drama of the same name on Fuji TV’s Getsuyō Doramaland.

With its infectious groove and playful lyrics, it’s the perfect song to lift your spirits when you’re feeling down or low on energy.

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