[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 (61–70)

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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chicken riceHamada Masatoshi / Makihara Noriyuki

chicken rice

chicken riceHamada Masatoshi / Makihara Noriyuki

The talent of Hitoshi Matsumoto, who can write lyrics like these, truly knows no bounds.

With Downtown’s Masatoshi Hamada handling the main vocals, the renowned Noriyuki Makihara composing and doing the chorus, and, as mentioned, Hitoshi Matsumoto writing the lyrics, this song “Chicken Rice,” released in 2004 under the name “Masatoshi Hamada and Noriyuki Makihara,” is an unconventional Christmas song.

There’s not a single gag in it; it’s said that Makihara was moved to tears when he read the lyrics depicting episodes from Matsumoto’s own impoverished childhood.

Listening to it, you end up craving chicken rice—not turkey or cake.

By the way, younger listeners might find it odd that Hamada is the one singing, but he teamed up with Tetsuya Komuro in the 1990s and released a massive hit, so he delivers a truly commanding vocal performance here.

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celeryYamazaki Masayoshi

Masayoshi Yamazaki / Celery

celeryYamazaki Masayoshi

Isn’t it a universally acclaimed classic? SMAP’s cover is well known, but Masayoshi Yamazaki’s original “Celery” is exceptional too.

It’s one of his signature works and famous as an early masterpiece.

I think everyone has heard the opening line at least once.

By the way, the reason he chose celery as the title is simply because it’s a vegetable people tend to either love or hate—there’s no special meaning behind it.

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Uma-velousMONKEY MAJIK × Sandoicchiman

MONKEY MAJIK × Sandwichman / UMAVEROUS (with lyrics)

Uma-velousMONKEY MAJIK × Sandoicchiman

An unconventional collaboration between the rock band MONKEY MAJIK and the comedy duo Sandwichman! Released in 2018 under the name MONKEY MAJIK × Sandwichman, it’s an original theme song written for the variety show “Sand no Bonyari~nu TV.” The funky sound is downright cool, and the lyrics are packed with references to Sandwichman’s routines.

It’s a very unique piece.

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